The roll-out, which follows a well-received trial period, will provide those in an entry-level position at KFC with the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification. By the end of the year, 3,000 KFC staff will have the opportunity to study for the City & Guilds-accredited qualification, which is the equivalent of five GCSEs.

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, KFC is also holding its biggest ever graduation day for staff who have completed the Advanced Apprenticeship scheme. On March 11th, 25 team leaders will visit the company’s Restaurant Support Centre (RSC) in Woking, to be presented with their certificates by members of the management team.

The latest graduation takes the total number of Advanced Apprenticeship graduates at KFC to over 100, with a further 600 learners currently taking part in the training. So far, every single graduate has either been promoted, or is on course for a promotion, demonstrating the success of the scheme in providing the next generation of managers for the business.

Two employees have even been promoted twice since graduation, becoming Restaurant General Managers (RGMs), where they run million pound businesses and look after around 40 members of staff.

James Watts, vice president of human resources, KFC UK & Ireland, said: “The Apprenticeship Programme is an integral part of our learning and development package, and offering intermediate apprenticeships to 3,000 team members emphasises our commitment to getting all of our training accredited. Apprenticeships really help prepare our people for career progression, and we’re looking forward to seeing many more employees develop at KFC in 2013.”