SLR catches up with Apprentice of the Year Jennifer Kolonko, engineering apprentice at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
So, you’re Apprentice of the Year, Jennifer! How does it feel?
I can’t quite believe it, but feel incredibly proud, and it makes me want to promote apprenticeships to others even more! My Modern Apprenticeship has given me the knowledge I need to fix any issues on the lines in the factory and keep them running efficiently, as well as find better ways to problem solve, and that’s improved my confidence a lot.
More than anything, I want to prove to other young women that it’s a great career option and inspire women to embark on a successful engineering career.
What attracted you to an apprenticeship?
I’d always been interested in engineering but had never fully considered it as a career. An apprenticeship meant I could earn money while learning on the job. CCEP’s engineering course appealed most as it covered electrical and mechanical aspects.
Tell us about your time with CCEP
I’m responsible for the maintenance of the six manufacturing lines at CCEP’s East Kilbride site, which produce over 32 million cases of drinks a year. I help fix any issues that arise with the machinery, ensuring all product lines run as efficiently, safely and sustainably as possible.
I take great pride in the fact that all of this contributes to CCEP’s wider This is Forward sustainability objectives: fewer disruptions to the lines means less packaging waste. This is Forward targets six key social and environmental areas where CCEP can have a significant impact and forms part of everything I do.
You helped increase efficiencies across the Capri-Sun production lines?
During the third year of my apprenticeship, I led a project to improve mechanical efficiency across the East Kilbride site on the Capri-Sun line. I spotted an opportunity to reduce the number of jams that occurred, which would impact the volume of product the line could produce. I designed and implemented a system guide to support colleagues in establishing the quickest routes to resolve issues, something all my colleagues now use daily. It has drastically improved mechanical efficiency on site, reducing waste by 30% and producing up to 10% more product. It’s something I’m very proud of!
Have you encountered any challenges progressing your career?
I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to really push myself, but I am keen to help change the narrative around engineering within the industry at large –an industry traditionally dominated by men. I have volunteered to talk in schools and to young people in the community about the different roles and responsibilities the sector offers, as well as the progression opportunities available. I also accompanied senior members of staff at a Scottish Parliament open day to promote the importance of apprenticeships as an alternative career path. So many people think university is the only route for school leavers, but it’s not the case.
What lies ahead?
My apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to experience all aspects of engineering and has enabled me to realise that my passion lies specifically within mechanical engineering. Eventually, I’d like to qualify as a Reliability Engineer, a role that would expand my responsibilities and knowledge even further, building on the work I was involved in on the site’s Capri-Sun line.
