HAZELWOOD, Mo.—Gov. Mike Kehoe joined franchisees of McDonald’s for a hiring announcement in Hazelwood on Thursday.
The famous burger and fries chain plans to hire up to 375,000 new employees across the United States with intent on hiring 10,000 employees in Missouri.
“This is what it takes to make Missouri who Missouri is getting young people that start so they understand what their life is going to be about,” said Gov. Kehoe. “Workforce development efforts like this are near and dear to my heart and I appreciate McDonald’s for being a leader in these efforts.—Here in Missouri, that means 10,000 more jobs for our young people across the state. To understand what it means to have that opportunity and have that a chance to earn the American dream that starts out from the ground and as you work your way up.”
“Young people, who are going to get their first job,” said Jimmy Williams, owner and operator of a McDonald’s in Hazelwood. “And with that first job comes a lot of responsibility on their part and on our part.”
On top of a beginning to employment, McDonald’s employees who stick with the restaurant for 90 days are eligible for the Archways to Opportunity program, which helps employees receive college tuition assistance, career training opportunities or a G.E.D.
“For us, investing in our workforce is a win-win,” said Joan Elhoffer, an owner and operator of several McDonald’s. “Empowering and upskilling our crew makes us more competitive and while it also is a positive impact for our customers and the economic and social conditions in the communities where we do our business.”
She added that McDonald’s prides itself on instilling skills like teamwork, communication, responsiveness and responsibility.
In Missouri, McDonald’s and its Owner/Operators have awarded more than $6.5 million in high school and college tuition assistance since 2015. They also increased access to education for over 2,000 crew members as well.
