Last Call for NKG PACE Applicants
The Neumann Kaffee Gruppe Partnership to Advance Coffee Equity (NKG PACE) is a brand-new program, in the final days of accepting applications for three paid, apprentice-style QC positions. The program was created with an enormous amount of planning and careful thought, and come May 2022, we can’t wait to finally open the Neumann Gruppe USA (NGUS) offices to the first group of NKG PACE Partners.
Still, we understand that it might be scary to “go first” — to be part of an inaugural group, not having seen the program fully play out before. But for every bit of nervousness, we hope that there’s equal amounts of excitement, knowing that any first group inevitably shapes an experience and helps form the mold for those who follow.
Plus, there are lots of other aspects of the program to be excited about. For example:
Expertise
Partners will finish the program as highly proficient cuppers, able to run a QC lab, as well as with a solid understanding of the green-coffee industry. Over the year, they’ll spend time with each department of Neumann Gruppe USA (supply chain logistics, physicals and futures trading, finance and accounting, customer service), as well as in conversation with NKG colleagues around the globe. Our group expertise in green coffee is unparalleled, and we’re excited to share it with the Partners.
We also feel confident that, upon completion of the course material, Partners will be in an excellent position to successfully pass the Q exam, if they would like to take it. Taking or passing the exam is not the point of the program. But if it’s a credential a Partner would like to have, the curriculum is built to accommodate this.
Mentors
The Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE) is developing a Mentorship program that it will launch within NKG PACE. The idea to include mentors came early in the program’s development, as we considered how to ensure that, in addition to an intensive green coffee education, Partners felt supported professionally and knew they had a go-to person they could relate to, respect and speak with openly. There’s a wealth of evidence detailing the career benefits of having a mentor, and yet few of us ever do.
Travel
NKG is comprised of 50 companies in 26 countries around world. Upon successful conclusion of the program, Partners will be invited to extend their education with a two-week visit (weather, politics and health permitting) to either a coffee-producing or -consuming country, a farm, a specialty or mainstream trading company or NKG headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. In Hamburg, Partners can learn about coffee practices across Europe, while in coffee-producing countries (we’ll try to accommodate preferences), Partners will learn about milling and exporting and experience farms and farmer-support efforts.
Feeling Ready to Apply?
If for all the reasons above you’re feeling ready to apply, please do so now. The application window closes Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. ET.
Another reason not to wait: The application asks that you include a letter of recommendation. The reason for this is to let someone brag about you! Resumes don’t always tell a full story, and we want to give you every opportunity to let us know why you’re a great fit for NKG PACE. So, ask a friend, a colleague, a teacher, a neighbor — anyone who can say a little extra something about the wonderful person you are. Please don’t let the letter be a barrier to applying.
If you’ve read this far, this program is very likely for you. We hope you’ll take a chance and apply — or please help us spread the word. •