Would Sir like an A level with that?

McDonald's is now offering the equivalent of A levels on its menu, after winning government approval to become an exam board.

The 'basic shift manager' course which is being piloted will train staff in everything they need to run a McDonald's outlet, from marketing to human resources and customer service skills.

It marks the first time commercial companies have been allowed to award nationally recognised qualifications based on their own workplace training schemes.

Two other firms - Network Rail and Flybe - have also been approved to award their own qualifications, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has said.

South West Principal Michael Mc Twat said: 'It is right that we recognise and accredit employers that have shown a commitment to training and developing their staff.

'Giving qualifications equivalent status to A levels raises the prospect that staff could take a course at McDonald's and then go on to college or university. Every time I go into McDonalds Taunton to avoid the Musgrove staff canteen I see lots of kids that are bunking off school in there anyway.'

'This is an important step towards ending the old divisions between company training schemes and national qualifications, something that will benefit employees, employers and the country as a whole.'

But it will be universities and the higher education admissions service Ucas who decide whether the courses that emerge from these companies will be a good preparation for undergraduate study.