SINGAPORE - McDonald's opened on Monday a training cafe for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students to give them more hands-on work experience.

The McCafe Training Academy at ITE College West is modelled after the fast-food chain's cafe outlets, and was opened officially by Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Indranee Rajah.

It will be used by students from the new Nitec in Food and Beverage Operations traineeship programme, a collaboration between McDonald's and ITE.

Both organisations signed an agreement in August last year to train staff and students in quick service restaurant operations and customer service.

The two-year Nitec programme, which started in January took in 17 trainees, who spend four days stationed at different McDonald's outlets around the island, and another day on campus having lessons.

Students earn a monthly allowance of $1,200 during the programme.

The training outlet on ITE's campus will also serve as a barista training facility for existing and new McCafe staff.

Mr Bruce Poh, director and chief executive officer of ITE, said that the training academy "provides an authentic learning environment for students to be trained in cafe operations and in customer service".

"The coming together of barista trainers from McCafe and lecturers and students from ITE's School of Hospitality will provide a win-win platform for idea exchange and gestation of new food and beverage products and services," he added.

Ms Phyllis Cheung, managing director of McDonald's Singapore, said that the facility is a "big step forward" for the brand as it looks to help develop the next generation of food and beverage leaders.

She added that the company is committed to sharing its knowledge and skills in running a global network of restaurants and cafes with students.