Skills council Improve hopes the wave of publicity surrounding the new McDonald’s qualification, which is equivalent to an A-level, will encourage more bakery employers to introduce nationally recognised in-house training.

Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve, told British Baker that it was already working with Ginsters and confectionery company Swizzles Matlow to gain accreditation. "The McDonald’s ’A-level’ is not a new concept, as we have been campaigning for over two years for food and drink companies to introduce nationally recognised qualifications."

Matthews said the commitment by McDonald’s was a major step forward. "We welcome bakers, no matter how big or small, to get in touch about introducing similar schemes."

Last year, McDonald’s protested against the dictionary definition ’McJob’, which it said was insulting and out of date.

Network Rail and Flybe training schemes have also been recognised nationally.

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