Second Assistant Manager Review

On a day-to-day basis the role of Second Assistant Manager at McDonalds involves ensuring the operations of the restaurant are meeting company standards. This involves overseeing crew procedures, training and the quality of the shift management. Other tasks include creating crew schedules, issuing discipline/ praise and updating financial information such as P&Ls.

The main skill I am constantly developing is my leadership skills. Many existing leaders in the business have been in the business for a long time, therefore they are great at offering out their experience. New skills I have developed include how to be an inspirational leader to influence the team to achieve results.

The majority of the time I do enjoy my programme. The programme is majority work, which is to be expected as it’s a full-time role, and I think with any job there will be bad/ stressful days. The training side of the programme is good, visits to MMU are great and involve good learning and also good a social time.

The programme is very well structured. The training providers have done this for a long time therefore meaning the training is almost perfected. The only downside on this and the organisation is sometimes I don’t feel that what I’m doing and what is expected of my Business Manager is filtered down to him as well as it could be.

Sometimes support feels fairly minimal, but the thing is my employer does not understand the work I am completing as they’ve not done it before. I am the first degree apprentice with my employer so we’re all sort of learning together but in general if I have worries or concerns and I let them know they’re open to resolving them.

MMU provide a vast amount of support when working towards your qualification. You have a personal skills coach who is in contact with you all the time. The unit tutors are always uploading resources and help to the Moodle which can help you with assignments. The quality of training is very good.

There is some training through the training provider which helps in your role. For example a unit on managing an leading people, that of course comes in very handy. And business projects help you identify issues in your business. I do think this could be better as more units could reflect roles.

Every now and again there is community litter pick events, and family events e.g. trampolining. Christmas events have returned since covid and pre-covid we used to have ‘McOscars’ which were great fun. Other than this the employer doesn’t really provide any other activities but if you live close to MMU there is activities you can join there.

Yes

McDonalds pay apprentices relatively well, usually your salary is in line with that of someone at the same level not doing an apprenticeship. McDonalds is a very inclusive employer, everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It’s reassuring to know there is a McDonalds apprentice team you can contact if you have any issues.

I would recommend that anyone applying for a degree apprenticeship is prepared for hard work. The restaurants are very fast paced and you have to be able to juggle a lot of tasks at the same time. The career is very rewarding, you gain lots of skills and numerous qualifications from MMU and CMI accreditation.