News

Belgrade – In partnership with the Ministry of Education and the University of Belgrade, Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia has ceremonially marked the announcement of the fifth anniversary “Coca-Cola Talents” program. Through the two-year “Coca-Cola Talents” program, Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia invests in development and expertise of future business leaders. The program is unique for providing students with top-class training, seminars, opportunity to learn about the best practices of the company and, through a vast mentor program, gain know-how and practical experience they otherwise cannot acquire in the classic educational system.

Selected students will have an opportunity to work in a business environment and test their skills by working in seven different real projects in areas closest to their professional interests. In addition, the program includes financial support in the amount of EUR2.000 per year of studies. The “Coca-Cola Talents” program aims to encourage and motivate young people to stay in the country and contribute to the development of the society as a whole with their professional growth.

“With the development of our business operations, the needs of the company for local personnel grow as well, and therefore we wish to invest our expertise in the area of shaping top-class managers in young people and help them acquire skills and know-how necessary for managing complex business processes during their studies. As a result, we contribute to their advancement and the development of the social community where we operate,” said General Manager of Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia, Sotiris Yannopoulos.

“The University of Belgrade has supported the “Coca-Cola Talents” programs for the last five years and in this anniversary year it has joined the project as a partner. We are glad that we have an opportunity to cooperate with Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia on this project which is very significant for students, since it enables them to gain practical know-how and experience which will prepare them for their future career and help them find their first job. I do hope that the “Coca-Cola Talents” program will encourage other companies operating in Serbia to join this initiative,” said Rector of the University of Belgrade, Branko Kovačević.

Students of accredited state and private faculties in Serbia who have fulfilled requirements for enrolling the third year of studies, have the average grade of 8.5 and more, are fluent in English language and have excellent PC skills, are eligible to apply for the “Coca-Cola Talents” contest.

The contest is open from November 03 until December 03, 2010. For more information on the “Coca-Cola Talents” program, please visit www.cchbc-talents.co.rs.

The long-term “Coca-Cola Talents” program was launched by Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia, in partnership with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia, for the best students. The program has been supported by the People’s Office of the President of the Republic of Serbia, and, as of this year, Universities of Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, Novi Pazar and Prishtina. In addition to student organisations which have traditionally supported the program - AIESEC, AEGEE, Student Union of Serbia, ESTIEM, EESTEC, BEST - organisations such as SUPRA, TIM, ESF, IAAS, NAPSER, IFMSA Serbia have also joined the program. The project is also supported by the University Centre for Students with Disabilities of the University of Belgrade, Career Development Center, Belgrade Open School, NGO Initiatives, and media partners Infostud, B92, 24 sata.

Since the program launch in 2006, 624 students from more than 40 different faculties have applied. Most applications have been received from state faculties of the Universities of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. So far, 28 students have been selected for the program of Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia, and owing to their excellent results, several students from every generation have continued to develop their leadership potential in the company, within the Management Trainee program.