Charles Sturt University (CSU) and McDonald’s have announced a partnership that will see two undergraduate students paid $15,000 while they undertake a 12-week placement within McDonald’s supply chain.

In its inaugural year, the Macca’s and CSU Young Farmers Programme is designed to give each student a bespoke experience that enables them to gain relevant, practical, on-the-job skills.

The 2018 undergraduates participating in the program, Will Atkinson and Macky Lawrence, are part way through their internships that will see them both spend time with producers, processors and McDonald’s head office.

McDonald's Australia Director of Supply Chain, Robert Sexton, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Macky and Will into the McDonald’s family. As a business, we pride ourselves on giving hundreds of thousands of young Australians the foundations for a successful career and it’s our intent to extend this philosophy into the Macca’s and CSU Young Farmers Programme. Not just for Will and Macky, but for many more students in years to come as we build upon the success of the inaugural year of this initiative.

“We have an extensive network of fantastic local producers and suppliers. As partners, we’re committed to teaming-up and using our scale for good to help give young people an opportunity to develop their skills and kick-off a career in the Australian ag industry,” added Sexton.

Will Atkinson, CSU undergraduate student, said: “Macca’s is so much more than burgers and fries. Their footprint in the Aussie agriculture sector is enormous and it’s great that they’re also committed to helping set us up for a career in the industry. I’ve just finished the Macca’s and CSU Young Farmers Programme, which helped me learn so much about the real-world business of agriculture.”

Professor Lyn Angel, CSU Executive Dean of Science commented: “Workplace learning is a key component to studying at CSU. Coupling this experience with financial support for the students over a 12 week period enables the students to fully focus on their placements without the added stress of funding the cost of living for that time. Partnering for the benefit of students, industry and the sector is key to universities driving our future workforce in relevant and engaging ways.”

Fiona Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, National Farmers Federation added: “McDonald’s has been a supporter of the local agriculture industry for decades, and we welcome announcements about commitments around continuing this valuable support. Initiatives that focus on young Australian farmers are critical to assisting us as we look to future-proof the Australian agricultural landscape for generations to come.”

Applications for the 2019 Macca’s and CSU Young Farmers Programme will open in November 2018.