McDonald’s Taste for Work gives our next generation the skills that careers are built on, so they can step into their futures with confidence. McDonald’s Taste for Work leads young people through a series of fun and immersive scenario-based challenges that bring the workplace to the classroom. Developing the key soft skills of communication, problem-solving, creativity and teamwork the programme gives young people a taste of the working world. Delivered in schools, the programmes focuses on communication skills needed for the workplace. The McDonald’s Taste For Work Communication Challenge pushes 14-19 year olds to develop their speaking and listening skills through a series of workshops set across the restaurant, designed to build their confidence and prepare them for their first job. Throughout the programme students develop and reflect on Skills Builder Speaking Step 5: I speak effectively by using appropriate language. To do this, they are taken through a virtual ‘ready for work’ shift, where work-based, communication activities are set via McDonald’s employees who share their insights. The challenges focus on helping students to develop appropriate speaking skills, applying different types of language (formal, informal and technical) to scenarios in the workplace. Students will tackle these challenges in their teams, culminating in an individual 30-second pitch explaining how and why they are ‘ready for work’. Students are also supported to continue their skill development at home, through a series of ‘take-home challenges’.