Beaminster School pupils visit Clipper Teas factory

A group of pupils from Beaminster School got to experience first-hand what a career in a purpose-driven food company would be like, after spending an afternoon at the town's Clipper Teas factory.

Factory owner Ecotone UK is part of the Future Makers programme with MyBigCareer – a charity focused on opening up opportunities to disadvantaged young people and providing inspirational moments to inspire their future career path.

During their time at the factory, the pupils heard from employees about their varied job roles and the path they took to get there.

Learning about the importance of biodiversity, the sixth formers discovered Clipper’s commitment to organic and ethical sourcing and the positive impact that has on people and the planet.

The students also learnt to slurp tea like the experts and how to identify different aromas and tasting notes. This was followed by a tour of the factory to see how the tea is blended, made into tea bags and packaged.

The visit coincided with Ecotone’s company ‘Bio-diversity Day’ which is dedicated to nurturing the ecosystem of its workforce. It celebrated the racial, cultural, social and gender diversity of the company's internal team and invited employees to address unconscious bias and prejudice in their everyday lives.

The day is part of Ecotone’s ‘I’m In’ initiative, a company-wide pledge to always encourage, include and value others, regardless of their differences.

Ann Chambers, HR Director at Ecotone UK, said: “It was wonderful to be joined by the pupils at Beaminster School and to give them the opportunity to see all the different and varied roles within a food manufacturing facility like the Clipper Teas factory. We could have even found a future tea taster.

"Seeing how food and drink products are made and the impact that has on our world is such an important lesson."

She added: “Our Bio-Diversity Day is just one of the ways in which we are striving to become a truly inclusive company.”