Opportunity awaits under golden arches

Where did one out of 12 working Americans get their start? Who hires more people globally every day? Who trains more people than the U.S. Army? According to Tim Skubitz, the answer is McDonald’s. He should know, because he owns three area McDonald’s restaurant franchises, and started working for McDonald’s more than 30 years ago.

“I began my career in Seattle at the age of 15; looking for a first time job,” said the owner/operator of Rathdrum’s McDonald’s. “Little did I know that the nervousness of applying for a job would lead me into a progression of advancement from a crew member into lead position, management, area supervisor and now, ownership.”

Skubitz, who owns two other restaurants in Washington – one in Newport and one in north Spokane on Indian Trail Road – says he is “very proud of the work and opportunity that McDonald’s affords people,” and says the training and leadership programs that McDonald’s, the leading global foodservice retailer, offers are second to none.

“McDonald’s is the number one training company in the service industry,” said Skubitz. “Our employees receive the best training in the industry in terms of leadership skills, teamwork and customer service.” According to company information, the training programs teach employees the skills they need to do their jobs well. They also develop basic workplace skills that are a foundation for success anywhere – customer service, responsibility, teamwork, time management, problem-solving and communication.

“I have worked with hundreds of employees throughout my career and am always fascinated by the ability of our McDonald’s environment to enable individuals to build their self confidence, discipline and leadership qualities,” said Skubitz.

So where do these skills take the millions who have been trained at McDonald’s since Ray Kroc opened those first golden arches in Des Plaines, Ill., in 1955? Although the majority of former McDonald’s employees take the essential workplace skills and values they learned on to other careers, others move up within the system. According to Skubitz, “Fifty percent of McDonald’s corporate employees, 70 percent of its restaurant managers, 33 percent of its owner/operators and more than 40 percent of their world-wide top management started as crew members.”

It seems the sky’s the limit for those willing to follow the McDonald’s career path clear to Hamburger University – yes, that’s right – an accredited college for those who want to flip burgers for a living. According to Skubitz, eight of his employees have attended the university since he purchased his first franchise.

But the majority of employees don’t stay long and most owners report high turnover rates in employees. That’s not true of his stores, according to Skubitz. He says many of his employees stay for a longer time, taking advantage of the training and job opportunities the company offers. “Some stay for six to nine months, while a majority has tenure of two-plus years,” he said of his approximately 120 employees. “And it’s not unusual to have an employee stay with us for decades.”

For those who do decide to stay, each McDonald’s outlet offers a career path of salaried jobs in which store managers can earn fair wages and aspire to opening their own McDonald’s, the career path Skubitz and thousands of others have followed. The company has been recognized for the job opportunities and training it offers to minorities and women.

Commitment to community service is another reason Skubitz is proud of the company he has chosen to stay with for more than 30 years. “We all believe in giving back to those that we serve,” he said of fellow owner-operators, including the seven in North Idaho. In addition to many community related events they participate in, the Rathdrum McDonald’s supports local public schools through money-raising events such as McTeachers Nights. They are also committed to supporting the local Ronald McDonald house.

Skubitz has served for many years as a member of the board of directors for the organization that offers help and support to families of seriously ill children seeking medical care at area hospitals by giving them a place to stay. So, whether you’re looking for a first job, a senior looking for a few hours of work, or a young mother looking for a flexible part-time job, you might consider looking under the golden arches, where you just might find on-the-job-training or a fulfilling and rewarding career.

At the very least, you’ll find “A fun, fast-paced work environment with a lot of opportunities,” according to Skubitz. “You’ll learn valuable job skills, make great friends, receive outstanding benefits, and get to work for one of the most admired companies in the world.”

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