McDonald’s offers on-the-job training to special needs students

Two young students with special needs are getting a taste of what it’s like to be part of a real working environment as on-the-job trainees. Both Khizar Mirza (21) and Shraddha Salunka (19) are doing a three-month internship at McDonald’s Qurm outlet and needless to say, they are thrilled beyond words.

Pramod Prassana Kumar, vocational rehabilitation counsellor at the Center for Special Education, said, “We do all we can to empower our students to live normal and independent lives as every other student.

“It is very important that we are vigilant in our efforts to provide work experiences and opportunities for improved employment outcomes for our youth with special needs. At first, it was difficult to find placements for these students.

“We really appreciate the kind and magnanimous gesture by McDonald’s to allow our students to work at their Qurm outlet.”

The counsellor added, “The work opportunity at McDonald's will help our students become independent and develop their social skills and work behaviour as well as improve their communication skills, teamwork and interaction with people.”

Shraddha’s mother Seema Salunka said, “It fills me with pride and joy to see my daughter working at McDonald’s. It’s a fantastic idea to give them a chance to undergo this in-store training twice a week. The muchneeded exposure will help develop their confidence. As a mother, I am grateful to the school and to McDonald’s for giving our children such a great opportunity.”

McDonald’s Oman provides a welcoming environment and believes that every individual within the society should be given an equal opportunity for developing his employability skills.