FAQ

The Forward program is available to eligible young professionals residing:

• on the African continent (all countries)
• in the Middle East region (currently Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) or Pakistan
• Turkey and Azerbaijan

If you are based in one of these countries or within the specified regions, please visit the relevant page under the “Regions” menu on the Forward website to apply. This website is updated as new countries are offered through the program.

For a range of reasons, we are currently only offering the program to individuals in these countries. Participants who misrepresent their country of residence during the application process will unfortunately be unenrolled from the program.

No, Forward is free for eligible participants as part of McKinsey’s flagship social responsibility initiative. There are no fees to apply, register, or partake in any of the three levels, provided you are eligible.

Participants will use their own internet-connected device and internet access, as the program is delivered online.

The new cohort is currently accepting applications, and the application window will remain open from May 9 to June 20. To apply, you may use this link.

Forward applications are open to those who:

• currently reside in one of the countries where Forward is offered
• currently employed, self-employed, or in between jobs
• have no more than five years of formal work experience
• have completed post-secondary education (for example: diploma, associate degree, undergraduate degree)
• have a good command of the English language, as the program will be conducted in English

Please note that participants will be required to verify their eligibility.

The Forward program and its learning content are specifically designed for young professionals who have completed post-secondary education and have up to five years of work experience. If you are still in school or university or do not have any work experience, you will not be eligible to apply. If you are currently in between jobs but have less than five years of work experience in total, you are eligible to apply.

The Forward program and its learning content are designed to benefit young professionals with less than five years of work experience who, at the time of application, are employed, self-employed, or in between jobs. Although employers do not sponsor participants, applicants are required to submit accurate employer information as part of the verification process.

Yes. If you were previously enrolled in the program and were unable to complete the Foundation or Advanced level, you are welcome to reapply should you still meet the eligibility criteria.

Please be aware that if you did not complete the Foundation level, you will be required to restart the program from the beginning of the Foundation level.

If you had completed the Foundation level but were unable to finish the Advanced level, you will have the limited opportunity to apply and start directly from the Advanced level with the cohort right after yours.

If you are applying during a period when applications are open, upon successful completion of the application form, you will receive an automated notification email confirming receipt of your application. We will then respond to you within 15-20 business days to notify you of whether or not your application to Forward was accepted. If accepted, you will be enrolled in the online learning platform and receive details of program start dates and deadlines.

If you have not received any emails from Forward after applying, please check your spam folder. If you do not find the email, please get in touch with us via the contact form.

If you are registering your interest during a period when applications are not open, you will receive news and updates about the program and be the first to be notified when a new application cycle is open in your country. Registering your interest is not considered applying to the program.

Please ensure you provide a valid email address in your interest registration form and/or your application, as it will be our primary way to contact you.

Applicants may not be accepted for a number of different reasons, including but not limited to the availability of spots in the program, errors or omissions in the application form, or ineligibility as defined in our criteria. Due to the large number of applications, McKinsey is unable to provide individual responses to those whose application has not been accepted.

If you wish to reapply to Forward, you are more than welcome during an open application period, even if you have previously applied and were not accepted.

The Forward program is broken down into three levels: Foundation, Advanced, and Network.

Foundation (8 weeks)

This level includes more than 18 hours of highly interactive, self-paced digital courses. You will be introduced to several practical skills such as adaptability, effective communication, problem solving, and new ways of working in a digital world.

Advanced (12 weeks)

This level has over 25 hours of learning. You can see your newfound skills come to life through an immersive journey of advanced digital content, bespoke virtual learning workshops, and a collaborative group assignment where you can learn from McKinsey experts and your fellow Forward participants.

Network (ongoing)

After graduating from the first two levels, you can join a vibrant global network of young talent and get exclusive access to further learning and networking events.

Each level has a series of requirements and specific deadlines which will be highlighted at the beginning of the program. Once you complete each level within the given timeframe, you can advance to the next level.

Forward is developed to equip young talent with crucial, must-have skills needed to succeed in the future of work.

In the Foundation level, you will be introduced to several skills such as adaptability, effective communication, problem solving, and new ways of working in a digital world.

In the Advanced Level, you will have access to two virtual learning events to apply knowledge gained through the digital courses. The first learning event is focused on self- leadership skills and the second is focused on design thinking and agile ways of work. You will also complete a collaborative group assignment with your peers to practice applying problem-solving skills.

On average, participants should dedicate two hours per week to complete the learning requirements of each level. Participants who do not meet all the requirements before the deadline of each level will not be able to proceed to the next level.

Forward is an online program so the learning is fully virtual and digital. You will need an internet-connected device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to access the online learning platform where all the content is housed, as well as the video conferencing platform that will be used for the virtual events (such as Zoom).

Participants who complete the Foundation and Advanced level requirements will receive a certificate confirming their completion of the Forward program. After completing the Advanced level, they will also be issued their own personalized digital badge, which is shareable across social media accounts and other digital channels.

Please note that McKinsey is not an accredited education body, and thus participants of the Forward program will not receive an accredited qualification or credential.

To explore career opportunities with McKinsey, you can visit our Careers website and follow us on social media: Real Life at McKinsey (Facebook), @mckinseyco (Instagram), McKinsey & Company (LinkedIn), and Careers (YouTube).

Please note that participation in Forward as a learner does not constitute employment with McKinsey, nor is it a pathway to employment at McKinsey.

Forward is a direct-to-learner McKinsey program for which applicants apply on an individual and voluntary basis. Forward does not offer an organizational level service or customized programs for organizations. However, you are welcome to inform eligible young talent within your organization or within your networks about Forward. If you are interested in a capability building offering that is specifically tailored to the needs of your organization, please refer to our McKinsey Academy website to learn about how McKinsey can help your organization.