Coca-Cola bottler opens up work experience to everyone
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) GB is working with careers partner Start, and the UK’s leading young charity for wheelchair users Whizz-Kidz, to provide live online and on-demand work experience programmes.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) GB has launched a new virtual on-demand work experience programme that can be accessed by everyone across the UK.
CCEP, which makes, sells and delivers some of the world’s most-loved soft drinks is now inviting students to take part in the programme, which is aimed at young people aged 14-18 and undergraduates considering professional roles.
The initiative is the latest step in CCEP’s work to drive inclusion and diversity and create a working culture where Everyone’s Welcome.
The programme can be accessed via CCEP’s careers partner, Start, and will give a sense of what it’s like to work for one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies, offering experience in a range of roles and industries including field sales, operations and marketing.
It incorporates a range of practical tasks, quizzes, real-life industry challenges, and video content to demonstrate specialist roles such as legal and accountancy.
Participants will receive a certificate for taking part in the programme, which can be used for future applications to apprenticeships, further and higher education.
As well as offering on-demand work experience, CCEP is also working with Whizz-Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, to provide live online work experience for young wheelchair users who are looking for a truly immersive experience while they learn about what it is like to work for CCEP – and the various career pathways the business can offer – all from their own home.
Students are encouraged to work in small group formats online, covering modules such as Field Sales, Engineering, Marketing and Human Resources.
Sharon Blyfield OBE, Head of Early Careers at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, said: “We know that it can be challenging for people to access work experience that gives them a launchpad to develop their career. That’s why it was so important for us to work with Start and Whizz-Kidz to create programmes that would be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or where they live.
“Our virtual programmes are therefore a fantastic opportunity for anyone who thinks they might be interested in a career with CCEP in the future or would like to learn more about this fantastic industry while developing valuable workplace skills.
“From using marketing to help customers understand our different brands and products, to learning how we make 16.4 billion litres of soft drinks each year while working to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, our work experience students will learn all about the vital roles that keep the wheels of our business turning.”
Abbie, a young wheelchair user who took part in CCEP’s virtual work experience through Whizz-Kidz said: “I think that the placement was a great experience, and I would encourage anyone to do it as it was really fun and rewarding. I had to write some tweets which went on Coca-Cola’s Twitter page about their projects, which I found the most rewarding because it’s something that I’m interested in. It’s made me realise I would like to do more placements with different companies, especially in social media.”
Jo Fashan, Associate Director of Engagement and Policy at Whizz-Kidz, said: “Partnering with CCEP and Start has provided a brilliant opportunity for some of the young people we work with to get a real taste of what working in a varied and dynamic workplace is like. The feedback we’ve had is that it’s been a great eye-opener to the many different career pathways that they can pursue, and a real confidence boost for in developing vital skills for the workplace.”
