CCEP inspires young workers to create influential change

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has partnered with Year13 to empower young Australians with the skills to become influential change-makers in their workplaces, communities and beyond.

The collaboration has created the Be Influential Academy, a free online program that redefines what it means to be an influencer. Rather than focusing on social media clout, the Academy equips young people with the skills and knowledge needed to be influential in their everyday lives and careers so they can create positive change, foster leadership and promote sustainability.

The initiative responds to Year13’s youth research undertaken prior to the campaign launch which found just one in six (17%) young Australians aged 15 to 24 say they feel very or extremely confident in how to be influential at work.

In contrast, more than two-thirds (69%) of young people who have finished the course say they feel this same level of confidence with how to be influential at work, showing a dramatic four-times uplift in high confidence levels. In addition, three-quarters (73%) of participants say their understanding of being influential at work is a lot or a great deal better after having taken the course.

The program’s early data has shown more than 1000 young people have completed the course since it was launched.

“It was eye-opening to see the steps in which change can be made and gives me ideas of how I could make a difference,” one user said.

As part of the partnership, Year13 and CCEP have also launched four new online Virtual Work Experience programs that spotlight sustainability careers within CCEP. These programs have introduced young Australians to roles they might have never heard of such as Water & Nature Manager, Eco-Future Investor, Sustainable Packaging Director and Supply Chain Manager.

These free courses offer a behind-the-scenes look at CCEP’s sustainability journey, from water stewardship and packaging innovation through to sustainable supply chains and forward-thinking investments.

Year13 Co-Founder Will Stubley said, “The Be Influential Academy is about redefining what influence really means for young people. Today that word is often associated with social media, but it’s about having the skills to lead, inspire and create positive change in their workplaces, communities and families. We’re showing them everyone can be an influencer and how they can do it with confidence.

“Bringing these jobs and skills to life wouldn’t be possible without CCEP leading the charge in showcasing sustainability careers to young people. Gen Z and Gen Alpha care deeply about the planet but they often don’t know where to start when it comes to career pathways, so this partnership helps connect their values with real career opportunities.”

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Lisa Rippon Lee, said, “At CCEP we’re committed to creating a more sustainable, diverse and inclusive future, and we know young people will play a pivotal role in shaping it.

“Through these programs, we’re not only showcasing exciting pathways in sustainability — we’re investing in the next generation of leaders. This partnership reflects our global ambition to upskill 500,000 people facing barriers to employment by 2030, and we’re proud to help young Australians take their first steps toward purpose-driven careers.”

Image credit: iStock.com/PeopleImages