McDonald's employees trained in skills needed to run outlets for the fast-food chain can get credit toward high school diplomas, the British government announced. McDonald's Corp. was given the power to award the equivalent of advanced high-school qualifications as part of a plan to improve young people's skills, said the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, a government education regulator.

It is the first time the government has granted national recognition to corporate training schemes. But universities and colleges will have to decide whether to accept the corporate qualifications as grounds for admission. The fast-food chain had been granted approval to develop courses and set exams up to the standard of A-levels -- the final exams taken by high school students that determine college and university admission.

Rail infrastructure firm Network Rail Ltd. and regional airline Flybe Ltd. have also been given the power to award their own qualifications.