As living expenses continue to hit families and tuition fees rise every year, thousands of Filipino students seek part-time jobs to support their education. However, companies often hesitate to hire students due to concerns about scheduling, limited experience and commitment. This also applies to older people and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who often face workplace discrimination and are considered unfit for work due to age or condition.
These groups are productive and willing to work, but they remain out of reach in many recruitment processes, with employers often prioritizing candidates who meet traditional standards.
However, a company is taking a different approach. McDonald’s Philippines continues to be open to more Filipinos and is committed to providing equitable employment opportunities to support national construction. Through inclusive recruitment practices, “Global Fast Food Giant” Actively recruit in-service students, seniors and PWDs.
Professional growth of students
McDonald’s Philippines currently has more than 65,000 employees across the country, with about 70% of its restaurant staff being part-time students. In addition to government-mandated wages and benefits, these students learn lifelong skills, build confidence and gain opportunities for progress.
For many working students, balancing school deadlines and job responsibilities is an ongoing challenge. To address this, McDonald’s designed its employment plan to allow students to flexibly plan their own shifts class schedule. Students who work do not have to travel to work, as McDonald’s hires directly from the local community to ensure their crew members are assigned to their homes or near their school.
Ivy Asuncion is a graduate of North Batac City Mariano Marcos State University, which is a personal experience. In her final semester, she completed her Industrial Technology degree at McDonald’s, majoring in food processing and service management. She managed the remaining two topics, completed on-the-job training in Baguio City, and maintained her job turnaround. Despite her complete schedule, she graduated with excellence.
for Ms. Uncionthe most useful support is being able to adjust her schedule to suit academic requirements. She is now preparing to apply for the company’s Management Crafts program, which aims to promote McDonald’s career.
For those students working in fast food, the workplace becomes a space for learning, not just how to accept orders. Sherinata said she joined McDonald’s third-year college while studying computer science at Mindanao State University in Zamboanga. Initially, she was talking about working at McDonald’s, helping her overcome her fear of talking to strangers.
Ms. Asuncion and Ms. S. Save illustrate how in-service students gain practical experience, develop communication skills and establish discipline through part-time work. Although the job is demanding, it provides stable income, real-world exposure and soft skills, often taught in the classroom.
Opportunities for seniors with PWD
McDonald’s Philippines continues to expand community recruitment by strengthening partnerships with the government. Since 2011, it has worked with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) (especially through special programs for students (SPE), especially through special programs for students (SPE), including on-the-job students, off-campus youth, and families of displaced persons.
The company plans to expand the program further, with jobs expected to be found as McDonald’s opens more stores at the provincial level.
Fast food chains are growing M is used for all programs, This provides employment opportunities for seniors and those with PWD. In implementing the program, McDonald’s coordinates with the local government departments (LGUS) to ensure a safe and appropriate working environment.
The tasks of seniors and PWD are based on competency, security and manageability as priorities. The company works closely with LGUS to launch these inclusive programs, especially in communities where older people and PWD populations seek sustainable income sources.
All applicants undergo a screening and training process approved by the Office of Public Employment Services (PESO) and DOLE. This training provides them with basic skills to achieve a fast-paced food service environment including food safety, cleanliness maintenance and customer communication.
Since 2019, 62 seniors and PWDs have been hired through the program. In 2023, McDonald’s began preparing to expand this number significantly, aiming to place more seniors and PWDs in stores in Pasig, Pasig, Pasig, Antipolo, Carlocan, Makati, Makati, Quezon City, Marikina and Mandruyan.
Senior employees work for no more than four hours a day, five days a week, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the PWDS will follow the same schedule as regular crew members, up to eight hours a day. Their tasks tend to hospitality, allowing them to focus on providing diners with a warm and enthusiastic experience without the need for prolonged physical exercise. All crew members are encouraged to promote a passionate environment and promote teamwork, especially during the integration of senior and PWD workers.
Prosperous professional growth
McDonald’s helps individuals stand out in their careers by providing fair employment opportunities, as its current operations manager testifies.
Manny Reyes, 47, started at a barbecue station at a branch in Cabanatuan City, where he was a college student and inspired by his coach, who worked hard to become a crew coach and then a manager.
He explained in English mix and Filipino, “I have a lot of respect for the crew who trained our crew; they behaved in a considerable way.” “That inspired me to be a crew coach in less than 6 months. Then, when I became a crew coach, I said I wanted to be a manager. I carried that motivation with me, and when I was patient and open to explore, I could really grow here and succeed here.”
“By my last year at college, I was promoted to manager.” “When I graduated, I had a bachelor’s degree in MCDO uniforms since I took up my duties. I also received an MBA because of McDonald’s.”
Eric Castro, 47, started at McDonald’s as a means of making money for his family and providing funding for his studies.
He shared: “While I’m nervous, at the same time, I’m excited because it’s an opportunity I’m alone in providing. I want to study and graduate, too, without worrying about that.”
He believes the organization instills an excellent momentum during McDonald’s long term and during its upward rise in operations managers.
“In everything you do, you need to do your best; not only do things. For me, even if you work hard and excellence, even if you don’t achieve that, at least you will end up doing a great job.”
After graduating in Hawaii in 2005, Aya Guillermo, 43, tried to bring her studies home with McDonald’s Philippines. She is not just a hard training course, she has discovered growth with the support of her colleagues and managers.
“The support of the manager who is ahead of me really helped me transition to the next role I’m going to be in,” she noted. “They will not only provide enough training, but they will bring you a lot of training so that you can play every new role at McDonald’s.”
For Ms. Guillermo, who intends to handle more than 40 restaurants, McDonald’s is a place where you can really build a career.
“McDonald’s loves and cares about their people very much. That’s why I can’t leave the company because they are a family company and do have the opportunity to grow here,” she said.
Jeq Singson, 48, joined McDonald’s in 1998 as a management cadet, where she learned to make a living with order, discipline, responsibility and resilience. She then quickly developed into a business consultant, and in the challenge, she built credibility in patience. Her outstanding work paved the way for more rest time, including handling 48 stores and counting.
“Once the company even sent me to Australia for a leadership workshop, I won’t forget,” she shared. “Once the company sees your potential and you are still hardworking, they will make the best for you.”
Mr. Castro expressed excitement about the impact of McDonald’s next generation of staff.
“The vision of the company is that we will open a thousand stores in the next two years. Isn’t that exciting? If you want to develop or pursue a career at McDonald’s, now is the perfect time. Become a part of the growth. The opportunity to enter the rank is a very rapid level.”
McDonald’s hopes its ongoing efforts will help more people find income, purpose and dignity through work,,,,, Regardless of age or ability.
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