McDonald’s is set to create 100 new jobs in Northern Ireland throughout 2013, as part of a nationwide commitment to create 2,500 new positions across the UK by the end of the year.

In 2012, McDonald’s exceeded its pledge to create 2,500 by an additional 1,000, bringing its current total UK workforce to 91,000.McDonald’s has 26 restaurants in Northern Ireland, employing over 2,000 people.

Last year, 70% of the new positions were given to those under 21 years old, helping many young people gain a valuable first foothold in the world of work.  A major UK employer, McDonald’s has added more than 20,000 people to its workforce during the last five years as a result of its sustained business growth and long-term investment in recruitment and training.  The company’s growth has been driven by investment in its restaurants and technology, new restaurants and extended opening hours and menu choice and innovation.

New employees in Northern Ireland will also have the chance to gain nationally recognised qualifications while working at McDonald’s, improving their skill-set and helping them progress further in their careers at McDonald’s and beyond.

Joanne Jones, McDonald’s Director of Franchising in Northern Ireland, says: “In 2012 we added some fantastic crew from the local community to teams across our 26 restaurants in Northern Ireland, many of whom were starting out in their first job and may otherwise not have had the opportunity to join the world of work.  As a local employer, I believe it’s important for all those who can, to continue giving young people in particular the chance to get workplace experience.

“I’m confident that in the year ahead there will be the same level of enthusiasm and talent from candidates in Northern Ireland, and we’re looking forward to employing even more young people across the Province.”

McDonald’s offers all its employees access to nationally-recognised qualifications as a benefit of working for the company.  Employees have the opportunity to gain a range of nationally-recognised qualifications from adult certificates in Maths and English to apprenticeships and a Foundation Degree offered to restaurant managers.

To find out more and about the training opportunities McDonald’s offers and download a prospectus visit mcdonalds.co.uk/people or visit your local careers centre.

Media enquiries please contact:• Claire Aiken or John Megaughin at Aiken PR:Claire@aikenpr.com / john@aikenpr.com / 02890 663000

About McDonald’s UK

McDonald’s has a proven track record of investing in the development of employees and offering flexibility as part of its commitment to being a modern and progressive burger company.  In fact:• McDonald's offers its 91,000 employees the opportunity to gain a wide range of nationally-recognised qualifications while they work, including a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering, a Level 3 Diploma in Shift Management and a Foundation Degree in Managing Business Operations• McDonald’s is one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, and was awarded a Grade 2 (good) Ofsted rating, with several areas Graded 1 (outstanding) for its Apprenticeship Programme, just 18 months after it was launched.• In 2012 alone over 12,500 of our employees gained nationally recognised qualifications. We have more than 7,500 staff members currently studying for qualifications, with 80 people a week completing qualifications in Maths and English.• McDonald’s was ranked in the ‘Sunday Times Best Companies to work for in the UK’ list for the first time in 2011. It was rated the 22nd best ‘big company’ to work for• McDonald’s was recognised by The Great Place to Work Institute as one of the top 50 Best Workplaces in the UK from 2007-2012 and was one of only five organisations with more than 10,000 employees to be included