Local students experience 'best school trip' with Coca-Cola European Partners
Coca-Cola European Partners inspires Edmonton students to consider careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) welcomed twenty students aged 14-16 from Edmonton County School and St Ignatius College to its Education Centre in Edmonton last week, as part of the industry-led and government-supported campaign, Your Life.
Your Life promotes STEM education by working with schools, parents, businesses and governments to help increase the number of young people studying Maths and Physics post-GCSE by 50% by the end of 2017. With fewer than one in seven students choosing STEM subjects at A Level or equivalent, the ‘Best School Trip’ initiative aims to drive curiosity around STEM career paths by connecting local schools and businesses working in these fields.
During the visit to the Education Centre at CCEP’s Edmonton factory, students were given insights into the world of manufacturing with a tour of the site, as well as experiencing STEM-based activities such as coding. The students also took part in a networking session to meet CCEP employees working in a range of job roles, from engineers and supply chain operators to microbiologists. Site Director, Nick Nixon and Education Centre Manager, Joseph Bradford were also on hand to talk to the students about working in STEM-focused businesses such as CCEP.
The initiative was run in partnership with MyKindaFuture, an organisation that helps employers reach and recruit future talent from school, college and university, and with whom CCEP has worked closely with to support its Field Sales Apprenticeship Scheme – a new programme enabling students to develop key business skills while applying for the opportunity to work as CCEP apprentices across GB.
Previously, CCEP also invited students to a ‘Best School Trip’ event at its European headquarters in Uxbridge, as part of the business’ activity to celebrate International Women’s Day. These initiatives form part of CCEP’s mission to support the education and development of young people across the country, and to encourage a diverse workforce in Great Britain.
Bill Muirhead, Senior Manager Education Programmes at Coca-Cola European Partners, said: “Engaging the younger generation and supporting their education is a vital part of our work as a local business, so it was great to welcome some of Edmonton’s students to the Education Centre and show them some of the exciting roles available in the field of STEM.
Your Life found that 55 per cent of young people want to receive inspiration and have face-to-face career guidance directly from companies, and here at CCEP we understand the importance of providing valuable experiences to inspire and educate the younger generation.”
Toby Hicks, Campaign Communications Director at Your Life, said: ““Trips like the visit to Coca-Cola European Partnerships can really help open up the eyes of teenagers to the sort of jobs unlocked by studying Maths and Physics A Level. After trips like this we know that 84% of students say they are more likely to study Maths and 75% Physics. We’d like to thank Coca-Cola for helping to organise such a brilliant trip, helping to inspire a new generation to think about their options and consider STEM.”
