Addis Ababa – More than 400 aspiring young communicators have been trained in communication, attitude, personal development and habits needed for personal and professional growth through a partnership between Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA).
The certified training focused on youth who have recently completed their schooling, college or university, and are facing the next big step in their lives.
Dr Ashenafi Abera, a certified management consultant and trainer, shared with participants how to lead their personal growth, including seeking out volunteering and internship opportunities to develop themselves. CCBA’s Samuel Tamerat and Rediet Kefelegn contributed insights on effective personal and professional development and highlighted the importance of being involved in community activities like the Coca-Cola system’s global World Without Waste initiative.
The training forms part of CCBA’s initiatives to promote employability among youth in driving its economic inclusion strategy.
“Our employability programmes focus on up-skilling, re-skilling or providing other opportunities that enhance the prospects of youth finding sustainable employment,” said Nigus Alemu, Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director at CCBA.
“We define economic inclusion as opening gainful economic opportunities to under-served communities by providing access to markets that boost income and yield decent and sustainable earnings, while leveraging the business and the industry.
“We aim to embed economic inclusion across our value chain and make it part of how we do business the right way.
“We understand that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too. Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability.
“The success of these programmes will be defined by the extent to which we boost income, unlock decent earnings potential, and improve skills as well as business knowledge for our target groups, resulting in access to economic opportunities.
“Whether donating money, our time or our expertise, we take our responsibility to the communities we call home seriously,” said Alemu.
