McDonald's Announces Partnership With JCTC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 30, 2020) – McDonald's restaurants and Jefferson Community and Technical College announced a partnership Thursday aimed at making college more affordable and accessible for more than 1,500 students across the state of Kentucky.

Through McDonald's Archways to Opportunity education program, restaurant employees who work a minimum of 15 hours a week for 90 days will be eligible to receive $2,500 in upfront college tuition assistance each year, as well as access to free education and career advising services.

Additionally, a job with McDonald’s offers restaurant employees a chance to learn transferable soft skills on the job, such as teamwork, customer service and responsibility.

Jefferson Community and Technical College opens doors for more than 12,000 students in six different campuses across the state, serving as the region’s second largest college or university. With technical education, transfer opportunities and workforce training, Jefferson prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers, a seamless transfer to four-year universities and opens the door to endless opportunities.

With the majority of students working while they attend school, Jefferson works hard to ensure students have the flexibility they need by providing both online classes and in-person classes giving students the option to complete classwork on their own schedule.

This year marks the five-year anniversary of McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program. To date, McDonald’s has given out more than $100 million in tuition assistance and supported more than 55,000 restaurant workers and corporate employees. Locally, McDonald’s restaurant employees in Kentucky have received nearly $210,000 in college tuition through the Archways to Opportunity program. Through the partnership with JCTC, Kentucky McDonald’s owner/operators plan to hire more than 1,500 students, connecting them to Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance.

“At McDonald’s, we know our people are the key to our success,” said Brittney Barnett, local McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “We are so proud to be able to offer the kind of assistance Archways to Opportunity provides for our employees and to partner with JCTC to help expand access to the great programs they offer students.”

“Jefferson is thrilled to partner with McDonald’s to help provide education and opportunity to the many talented employees pursuing upward mobility in their career,” Dr. Ty Handy, president of Jefferson Community and Technical College, said. “We welcome and embrace programs that allow students who need to work, to work and get an education with us that can change and better their lives.”

Those interested in enrolling at Jefferson should visit opendoors.us.

Anyone interested in applying for a job with McDonald’s can visit McDonalds.com/careers to learn more and apply to a restaurant near them. For more information about McDonald’s partnership with JCTC, go to jefferson.kctcs.edu.