The first batch of trainees graduated from the Coca-Cola Technical Apprentice (KOTA) programme on Tuesday which was established by Coca-Cola Beverages Pakistan Limited's (CCBPL) Capability Development Centre (CDC) to meet the requirement of trained/skilled workforce in beverage industry.
The CDC is CCBPL's in-house training centre where the KOTA trainees received classroom training on machine diagrams, simulations, machine parts, machine PLCs and manufacturing processes. This knowledge was then reinforced by on-the-job training on CCBPL's actual production lines.
The technical apprentices training programme is a new initiative undertaken by CCBPL to promote skills development of a specialised workforce for the overall beverage industry. It is a rigorous and multi-dimensional seven-month training programme that has been designed in collaboration with Amman Tech and specifically tailored to the beverage manufacturing processes. The KOTA programme also includes English Language and Computer skills training.
Talking about the KOTA programme, CCBPL Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Zafar Abbas Jafri said: "With rapid technological advancements, there is now a scarcity of trained/skilled workforce in beverage industry in Pakistan, and CCBPL has developed this programme to bridge this talent gap. It is a sign of our commitment to the apprentice training programme ordained by the Government of Pakistan that we are investing so heavily to give young apprentices an opportunity to have successful careers, and to create a highly skilled workforce in Pakistan that is capable of working at global standards."
After completing the intensive training, the apprentices are now eligible to obtain City & Guild Certification, a special opportunity CCBPL provides to the high performers of this programme. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the programme, CCBPL Director of Human Resources, Amara Bashir said, "Skills development is a fundamental pillar of our HR policy. We strongly believe that it is the people in a company more than anything else that ensure the growth of business and to this end CCBPL believes in training its people across all levels and job functions."