The NSW government has given tens of millions in taxpayer dollars to help train staff at private corporations including global giant McDonalds.

A freedom of information request by the NSW Greens reveals the state government has awarded Mcdonald's Australia $1,809,485 in funding for vocational education and training.

Major employers including McDonald's, Coles and Woolworths all pay significant numbers of workers less than the award through reduced, or in the case of McDonald's no, weekend penalties. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Other private providers to receive state government funding for the 2015-16 financial year include Vision Training Institute ($4.68 million), Wise Education Group ($4.48 million). Government departments including Primary Industries has also obtained $2.59 million and NSW Health, $1.029 million.

Government funding for vocational training is contestable, meaning the public provider TAFE has to compete with private providers for government funding. NSW embraced the funding model after it was introduced in Victoria.