Employee involvement
Employee involvement is an important part of our Community Support programme and employees are encouraged and supported to take part in a variety of company endorsed education initiatives to promote science, technology, and engineering to young people.
In 2004, AstraZeneca adopted the Science & Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) scheme for its UK employee volunteers working with schools. The SEAs Programme was launched by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) in January 2002 by Lord Sainsbury and Baroness Ashton.
The Programme aims to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by providing enthusiastic volunteers (SEAs) to work with schools, teachers and pupils to stimulate and inspire their interest in these subjects.
AstraZeneca Science and Engineering Ambassadors are employees who have a background in, or simply an interest in, any aspect of STEM, who are willing to work with schools, teachers and pupils and want to help encourage and excite children and young people about the possibilities these subjects and careers can bring.
All AstraZeneca SEAs have been briefed on working with schools and have been Criminal Records Bureau checked, so can offer valuable support in enhancing and enriching the curriculum, by providing a link from the classroom to industry. The main qualities required by a potential Ambassador are enthusiasm and commitment, along with a passion for what they do.
To find out more about the SEAs scheme please visit SETNET website
http://www.setnet.org.uk/cgi-bin/wms.pl/29
In the UK, over 300 employees invest an estimated 2,500 hours per annum of company time on many different activities, which include…
· Partnering with a primary or secondary school
· Delivering ‘hands-on’ activities in the classroom
· Giving presentations on science topics
· Mentoring young people to pursue a career in science
· Taking part in the Right to Read programme
· Judging science competitions
· Acting as school governors
· Supervising work experience students
Involving scientists directly in curriculum activities helps to provide an industry focus to science teaching in schools and develop pupils’ understanding of the diversity of scientific roles and skills. Employees also develop their own skills through their work with schools.
Senior management at AstraZeneca is committed to education liaison as a cornerstone of our corporate responsibility, providing a platform from which the business can attract, enhance and retain its talent base. The programme is well resourced, well managed and is seen as an integral part of the company’s activities.
