The new centre is the fourth of its kind in the UK, with similar facilities in Wakefield, Edmonton and East Kilbride in Scotland. As part of CCE's national education programme, the latest investment is part of the company's drive to introduce young people to the world of business and enterprise.
It aims to host over 200 visits per year, reaching over 4,000 students from local secondary schools, colleges and universities. The launch was marked with an on-site open day, allowing a range of local councilors, national business associations, education groups and teachers from several of the region's schools to get a first look at the centre. Students from Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar and Erith School also attended the event.
Simon Baldry, MD of Coca-Cola Enterprises (pictured below), said: "We are committed to playing a positive role in the communities in which we operate, and one of the best ways to achieve this is by opening up our factory doors to support the work of educators."
But he added: "I'll be candid. The [initiative] is not purely philanthropic. We want to attract the best talent we can and for these students to remember us when they are graduates looking for jobs.
"Our Education Centres offer students valuable insight into the world of business, allowing them to make connections between what they learn in the classroom and real-life modern manufacturing practices. Modules taught at the centre link directly to the national curriculum, and we have built excellent relationships with schools across the country."
CCE's fourth national Education Centre has been developed as part its 'Olympic Games legacy' programme, located at the Sidcup site which will play a pivotal role in supplying soft drinks to the Olympic park in Stratford for London 2012.
Mark Prisk, minnister for business and enterprise, added: "Our manufacturing industries are known around the world for high-tech, high-quality products. To secure long-term growth in the UK we must make sure the next generation has both the skills to succeed and the aspiration to unlock their own potential. This new Education Centre will make an invaluable contribution to our work to attract the brightest and the best to pursue a career in manufacturing."
CCE's Education Centres are fully equipped with interactive classrooms and purpose built to deliver a subject related insight into the production process alongside a tour of the factory floor.
Each centre is run by a General Teaching Council registered teacher employed directly by CCE, and looks to support the teaching of a variety of subjects, including business studies, science, ICT, engineering, design & technology.
