Communities around the world
We are involved in many ways with the communities around the world in which we do our business.
- Encouraging employees to be involved in community activities such as volunteering, and partner with community organisations and charities
- Building local education and training links particularly to promote STEM careers
- Encouraging environmental sustainability on a corporate, community and individual level
Edwards has a number of community projects which benefit a range of different groups:
Edwards community in America
In 2018 we partnered with the SEMI organisation to be one of four sponsors of the High Tech U event held at SEMICON West. Through the SEMI High Tech U program, students take part in hands-on activities that relate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts to real world career applications. SEMI Foundation has been delivering this award-winning program for the past 16 years; this program can have a significant impact on young people. Edwards’ sponsorship of the program included a scholarship awarded to one student.
We encourage two paid days off for voluntary service, one for a personal charity and one for an Edwards initiative. We also manage a matching funds programme for educational institutions.
Edwards community in Asia-Pacific
In Taiwan, employees are encouraged to cycle to work in a team every Friday – bringing environmental, financial and health benefits. This proved so popular they now organise an annual cycling tour around Taiwan, almost 1000km.
In addition, Edwards Taiwan sent 4 volunteers to support the High Tech U Program Logic Gate and Human Calculator activity. It was an opportunity to engage with young talents from the National Experimental High School, and to raise awareness through a non-formal learning way.
Every year at Korea Vacuum Society, Edwards presents the Young Vacuum Scientist Award to encourage young talent from university and graduate programs. This award is an accolade of excellency in research to promote the development of vacuum.
Since 2017, the High Tech U SEMI Korea program has been focused on promoting women in science and engineering industries. Young female students through middle and high school participate in activities starting from hands-on science experiments to learning successful interview skills. We continually reach out to HTU-Korea alums to support reunions in joint efforts with the SEMI Korea foundation.
We also have industry-university collaboration agreements with 10 local universities and take part in campus recruitment activities.
In China, the Edwards team took part in “E.G.G.Walkathon” a charity project where participants walk at least 10km for one day to donate eggs to provide breakfast for underprivileged children. Edwards China has also arranged donations of books for children.
In Japan, every year volunteers take part in a charity run and the company donates for every mile run.
Last year, as part of the Safety Week event Edwards Japan chose the charity Japan Committee of Vaccines for the World’s Children, and raised money to help 4,000 children receive the polio vaccine.
As part of our education outreach, we donate to the KAGURA project. KAGURA observatory is a prestigious educational and research facility where Nobel Prize candidates are among the workers.
Edwards community in EMEA
In the UK, our charity work through the Clevedon Product Company near Bristol includes supporting the Childrens Hospice South West. CHSW relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to provide hospice care to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. This year was the 6th year we have sponsored the Ride for Precious Lives, an annual 205 mile cycle ride over 3 days encompassing all three of CHSW’s hospices across the region. Over the years the race has raised over three quarters of a million pounds for the hospice.
Edwards are proud to support young people in their careers and this year Clevedon has welcomed a new intake of apprentices into the business. A total of seven apprentices started their courses this year; six are new to the business and one is internal. A five year course is being undertaken by six of these apprentices to gain their Level 6 (BEng) qualification and another has begun a two year Level 4 (HNC) course. Following their recent completion of a four week business induction, they have all now started their first year full time studying at Bridgewater College. After this period, they will join the Clevedon site and continue their studies one day per week.
Our programme to promote STEM careers in the UK includes attending careers fairs at schools and universities or showcasing the excitement of a career in vacuum at the Big Bang Fairs.
