Nation's Largest Coca-Cola Bottler, Central Piedmont Community College, and Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Collaborate to Foster Economic Mobility

Coke Consolidated is funding paid apprenticeships at Central Piedmont Community College to spur interest in high-demand positions in manufacturing, equipment repair, and logistics at its Charlotte-area facilities.

Paid Apprenticeship: Earn and Learn

Students will “earn and learn” with a paid apprenticeship with Coca-Cola Consolidated. Coke Consolidated is funding apprenticeships at Central Piedmont Community College to spur interest in high-demand positions in manufacturing, equipment repair, and logistics at its Charlotte-area facilities.

Qualified applicants will get paid experience through part-time positions at Coke Consolidated while receiving financial support to pay for career certificates in fields to prepare you for careers such as:

• Manufacturing / warehouse mechanic
• Diesel mechanic (Red Classic Transportation - RCT)
• Equipment Services Reconditioning Technician (HVAC and electrical skills)

Next Steps

The application process is open and applications will be accepted until April 28, 2023. The targeted start for selected candidates would be July 2023. Visit the Paid Apprenticeships with Coca-Cola Consolidated page to learn more.

Basic qualification for the Coca-Cola Consolidated apprenticeships is a high school diploma or equivalent.

To learn more about the careers you could pursue with Coca-Cola Consolidated, visit Coca-Cola Consolidated.

Manufacturing Careers in Demand

Coke Consolidated, Central Piedmont, and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (CLT Alliance) are collaborating on this effort to foster economic mobility in our area by highlighting opportunities in the local manufacturing sector and promoting scholarships for interested applicants. 

Charlotte is home to more than 3,600 manufacturing companies, which together employ over 145,000 people. 7,500 new manufacturing jobs have been announced in the region since 2020, according to CLT Alliance.

"Commitment to Empowering the Next Generation" 

“These scholarships exemplify our commitment to empowering the next generation of diverse servant leaders,” said Dave Katz, President and Chief Operating Officer at Coke Consolidated. “We’re looking for talented candidates who want to grow their skillsets and their careers.

“Coke Consolidated is dedicated to providing opportunities for new and existing teammates to continuously learn and grow,” said Brent Tollison, a Senior Vice President at Coke Consolidated and member of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Board of Trustees.

“We want to invest in people and to provide the resources and encouragement they need to achieve their goals,” he said. “These aren’t job opportunities. These are career opportunities.”

Coke Consolidated is committed to workforce development and economic opportunity in the communities it serves. Applicants selected for an apprenticeship will have ongoing training and leadership development opportunities as part of their employment experience. 

Central Piedmont’s credentialing programs are flexible and designed to meet the needs of students who also are working part-time. Coke Consolidated’s paid apprenticeship program targets the more than 65% of adults in the region who don’t have a bachelor’s degree.

“Central Piedmont is pleased and proud to partner with Coke Consolidated to offer students a pathway to invaluable work experience and rewarding, high-demand careers in manufacturing,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont President. “We are eager to open the program, and we thank Coke Consolidated for their support and collaboration.”

"Manufacturing is integral in the Charlotte Region, and the industry and next generation of talent are poised to shape our future economy,” said CLT Alliance President and CEO Janet LaBar. “We applaud Coke Consolidated’s commitment to strengthening our workforce and believe collaborations like this will strengthen our pipeline, enrich our economy, and provide a pathway to opportunity for our region’s residents."

About Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Our Purpose is To Honor God in all we do, To Serve Others, To Pursue Excellence, and To Grow Profitably. For over 120 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers, and communities we serve and are passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. We make, sell, and distribute beverages of The CocaCola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 60 million consumers. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coca-Cola Consolidated is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COKE.” More information about the Company is available online.