Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has said that it will increase the number of apprentices across its operations in Great Britain by more than 50%, launching the largest ever apprentice recruitment drive in the bottler’s history.
The company will invest more than £1 million in its apprenticeship programme this year, taking the number of apprentices it employs across its supply chain and cold drinks operations to exactly 100. The extra personnel – at sites in South Lanarkshire, southeast and north London, West Yorkshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
The drive is part of ‘an ongoing commitment to support the development of young talent and encourage a diverse workforce’ across its UK operations.
An Vermeulen, vice-president of field sales for CCEP, said: “Here at Coca-Cola European Partners, we understand the importance of providing vocational training and experiences to help educate and inspire the younger generation of professionals. We are strong believers in apprenticeships as a valuable route into the business world and we are delighted to be doubling our intake of new recruits this year.”
The announcement comes amid a concerted effort from the UK government to increase the number of young people in apprenticeships.
CCEP group director for supply chain operations Steve Adams said: “We are extremely excited to be launching our largest apprenticeship recruitment drive to date. We have many talented apprentices already working across our business, and it has been very rewarding to see them develop into top professionals. We look forward to welcoming our latest recruits, who will be working closely with the existing apprentices and others across the business to mentor and guide them in their new roles.”
And Robert Halfon, the UK’s minister of state for apprenticeships and skills, pointed out that the move was timely – in the middle of a week-long showcase of the work of apprentices and trainees across the country.
He said: “National Apprenticeship Week is the highlight of the apprenticeships year – it showcases the best of the best and celebrates the positive impact apprenticeships and traineeships have on learners and employers. There really has never been a better time to be an apprentice. I congratulate Coca-Cola European Partners for getting involved, giving people a chance to climb up the career ladder and get on in the world of work.”
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