SHENZHEN - McDonald's in China will invest 100 million yuan ($14.77 million) in a talent training program in collaboration with more than 100 Chinese vocational schools from 2020 to 2022, the company said.

In a statement made known to the public Tuesday, the company said it would work with vocational schools to carry out targeted training under the "modern apprentice" model, where apprentices will not only learn in classes but gain work experience at McDonald's before starting their full-time jobs.

Previously, McDonald's opened 12 modern apprentice classes across China and trained more than 300 students.

So far, the company has reached agreements for cooperation under the apprentice model with more than 40 vocational schools in China and plans to expand the cooperative model to 100 schools in around two years.