McDonald's PHL wants to employ more working students

McDonald’s Philippines intends to hire more working students for its stores particularly outside of Metro Manila.

“McDonald's is eyeing more SPES (Special Program for Employment of Students) beneficiaries this 2017, particularly in provincial area as it opens more new stores,” it said in an emailed statement.

“As we start 2017, McDonald’s is excited for a stronger and more collaborative partnership with DOLE and PESO for SPES and other programs. McDonald’s Philippines is committed to being a partner in growth through employment,” said Chona Torre, the company's vice president for Human Capital Group.

The fast food chain currently has 370 stores which run SPES with over 13,000 beneficiaries, some 15 percent of which were absorbed as regular employees at the end of 2016.

SPES was launched by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to give deserving high school, college and vocational or technical students, and out-of-school youth the opportunity to finance their education and eventually gain regular employment.

Screened by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), participants undergo a 52-day employment training program covering technical and soft skills for different companies.

The company has allotted P3.5 billion to cover capital expenditures for 2017, largely to support the goal of opening of 45 new stores. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News