DOLE, McDonald’s Philippines team up to renew employment opportunities for Filipino youth

From left to right: Asec. Paul Vincent Añover, Usec. Carmela Torres, Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma, Kenneth S. Yang, CEO and President of McDonald’s Philippines, Margot Torres, Managing Director of McDonald’s Philippines, and Ben Marasigan, Vice President for Human Capital Group of McDonald’s Philippines, during the MOA signing last July 14, 2023

McDonald’s Philippines, majority owned and operated by Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC), renews its commitment to generating employment for Filipino students through its partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The renewed partnership was formalized last July 14, with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the collaborative implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

McDonald's first partnered with DOLE for SPES back in 2011 to employ working students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced workers. Since then, McDonald’s has given employment opportunities to more than 16,000 underprivileged youth to fulfill their education while gaining actual work experience. This year, GADC aims to renew that commitment by pledging its target of 1,441 beneficiaries of the SPES for 2023.

Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang signing the Memorandum of Agreement for SPES

“As we open more McDonald’s stores across the country, we see to it that as our business grows, so does our positive impact in the communities we are present in. We continue to partner with government institutions like DOLE to help us offer quality employment for Filipinos who will not only receive an opportunity to earn but also gain life-long skills from the world-class training we offer,” said Margot B. Torres, Managing Director of McDonald’s Philippines. 

The company’s recognition of the importance of education and skill-building allows it to continue empowering the youth by welcoming them as part of its McDonald’s crew. As such, the company also partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) for its Alternative Workforce Program that offers work-based training positions for 5,000 unemployed and out-of-school youths through YouthWorksPH, providing beneficiaries with financial knowledge, skills, and access to resources necessary to effectively manage finances through adulthood. 

DOLE officials and McDonald’s Philippines executives with former beneficiaries of SPES

As one of the biggest employers in the country, McDonald’s Philippines stays true to its mission of generating jobs and providing fair employment to all. A steadfast advocate of diversity and equality, McDonald’s fosters a happy and inclusive environment for Filipinos from all walks of life regardless of race, age, gender, or sexual orientation, to allow them to thrive to their best selves.

For more information, visit the McDonald’s Careers Facebook Page (McDo PH Careers FB Page) or McDonald’s Philippines LinkedIn to check out career opportunities with McDonald’s Philippines.