McDonald’s mobilizes workers for job and educational growth

A fast-food giant is using mobile technology to help employees manage their careers.

McDonald's is launching a new career exploration mobile app called “Archways to Careers” designed to assist store associates with education and career advancement, at McDonald's or elsewhere. Built in partnership with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), a nonprofit adult education and training group, and with support from national success coaching organization InsideTrack, the app serves as a real-time career advising tool.

Archways to Careers connects employees to InsideTrack's advisors who will support, coach, and help them create a career path. This effort builds on McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program, which aids store associates in learning English language skills, earning a high school diploma, benefiting from education and career advisors, and receive upfront college tuition assistance up to $3,000 after 90 days of employment.

The app offers an interest assessment and career exploration feature intended to help users identify potential careers. Users can also work with an advisor to plot a personalized educational plan. In particular, the content in the app builds on insights from a 2018 McDonald’s workforce preparedness study which identified top industries employees aspire to be in, including arts/entertainment, technology, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and restaurant/food service, by surfacing roles across some of these fields. Additionally, users will be able to explore opportunities at McDonald's restaurants and corporate headquarters that match their interests and skills.

"The McDonald's system workforce has immeasurable talent to offer, and with its existing education benefits coupled with this rich new mobile experience, restaurant employees are better equipped to discover and advance their careers, positioning themselves for long-term career success no matter where they end up," said Rob Lauber, global chief learning officer, McDonald’s. "We are proud to continue to invest in and create more opportunity for those that work at McDonald's."

The app is available for download for both iOS and Android devices. McDonald's operates 14,000 U.S. restaurants, 95% of which are independently owned.