Edwards
Edwards is part of the Atlas Copco Group and has been involved in industrial vacuum technology for over 100 years. Edwards vacuum equipment is found all over the world in the design and production of medicines to mobile phones, from computers to coffee beans, to cars and chemicals. The company has its Global Technology Centre in Burgess Hill, which is around five miles from LVS Hassocks.
Edwards has had a growing and mutually beneficial relationship with LVS Hassocks for the last two years.
Pictured at a recent horticultural day at LVS Hassocks are Edwards staff (l to r) Franziska Petersen, Debbie Smith and Alison Lingard, and LVS Hassocks students Brooke, Daniel, Jake and Jack.
“Edwards staff have found the experience very fulfilling, and it has been very rewarding for both parties.” Debbie Smith, Edwards.
Edwards involvement with LVS Hassocks has recently included:
Edwards sending two of their ‘STEM Ambassadors’ to a ‘ Flying Machines Day’ at LVS Hassocks in February. Edwards’ STEM Ambassadors are recent graduates, and new employees at Edwards, that are tasked with going out to schools and colleges to engage with students to promote science and technology subjects..
Attending a Careers Fair at LVS Hassocks in March and offering advice and guidance regarding careers in the technology arena, along with showcasing some products.
Year 7s at LVS Hassocks were treated to a visit form Edwards in June as they laid on a ‘What is an Engineer’ workshop. This involved solving some problems to unlock Mr Edwards toolbox and receive a surprise.
Edwards took two students from LVS Hassocks for work experience. This included three weeks on Reception and administrative duties followed by three weeks in CAD (computer aided design) and 3D printing, where the students printed their own designs.
Two students were also invited to an Arduino Training Day which revolved around electrical engineering design and included coding and testing of electrical circuits.
Executives and managers at Edwards are also planning to help our students with mock job interviews. This is mutually beneficial as it gives our students some good experience and it also aids Edwards staff in learning how to interview neurodiverse people.
Edwards plan to repeat a lot of the above activities next year. Debbie Smith the Edwards, Product Compliance Process Manager at Edwards (and also a Diversity and Inclusion Champion), said,
“Edwards staff have found the experience very fulfilling, and it has been very rewarding for both parties. It has been good to have more neurodiverse people at our location. It has both increased our knowledge of neurodiverse conditions and it showcases what neurodiverse people can do.”
LVS Hassocks said,
“It is amazing that we have a global company on our doorstep that are willing to engage with our students to the extent that Edwards have. It has had a remarkable impact on our students and given them an insight into a world of possibilities in the world of technology. We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to Debbie and the team at Edwards.”