Colombo, 8th Feb 2023: Sysco LABS recently partnered with the Association of Human Resource Professionals (AHRP) for its inaugural Undergraduate Immersion Program for the year 2022.
The program was created to provide an immersive multi-industry, learning experience to undergraduates who aspire to become the next generation of HR professionals in Sri Lanka. The participants were exposed to the work environments of AHRP’s partners for the program – Sysco LABS, Brandix and John Keells Group
During their time at Sysco LABS, the participants got an in-depth look into how HR and People Operations function in the IT industry. Several sessions were conducted by Sysco LABS teams across the company to provide the undergraduates with a greater understanding of the different nuances within the industry and equip them with knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in the professional world.
The sessions included “A Day in the life of a software engineer” which focused on familiarizing students with the inner workings of software development teams and the different ways in which HR interacts with the careers of engineers. Program participants were also given “An Introduction to Resource Management & Talent Acquisition in the IT Industry” to provide them with insights on how HR facilitates company operations through employee recruitment and retention. In addition, multiple sessions were conducted to help students understand what it takes to be a people manager within an IT company, gearing them up and preparing them for a career within the industry. 
As the captive innovation center of Sysco – the world’s leader in foodservice and a Fortune 500 company, values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) are an integral part of Sysco LABS’ DNA. Thus, resource persons also shared their expertise on creating a respectful workplace focused on DE&I. Sysco LABS’ marketing team also conducted a session to coach students on personal branding best practices and provide them with tips on better present themselves to future employers once they graduate.
Speaking on the contribution made by Sysco LABS to this inaugural edition of the Undergraduate Immersion Program, Isuru Gunasekara – Chief People Officer & Head of Sustainability, ERM & Group Initiatives at John Keells Group and Patron of the Immersion Program said, “We were delighted to partner with Sysco LABS and Brandix in this inaugural Undergraduate Immersion Program driven by AHRP. Based on the feedback received from those who participated, it was a visible success which compels the continuation of this initiative in the future. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners who created this opportunity for our future workforce. ”