Promoting education and an interest in technology
Engagement in the local community increases familiarity with and trust in our operations and fits with the company’s values. Our contribution to social development mainly consists of activities to promote education and an interest in technology among children and young people.
As far as possible, the activities involve our employees. By offering their time and knowledge in various ways, they increase awareness of the company and build trust in our business while gaining valuable experience. Our employees serve, for instance, as math tutors, teachers, class mentors, hosts for school visits and raise funds for schools. Here are just a few examples of Saab’s social engagements.
Brighter future for children in slums
During 2019, Saab began working with the Hummingbird cultural network in São Paulo, Brazil. The operation serves children living in slums with the goal of preventing them from falling into poverty and criminality. The leaders have managed to lift themselves out of similar situations and now serve as role models. The children, who are between the ages of 5 and 18, have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities from arts and culture to education and sports.
Improving quality of education
Pratham is an Indian aid organisation focusing on improving education for children in the slums of Mumbai. The aim is to improve the quality of education.
"In India, it's common that children who not easily learn to read and count fall behind, because traditionally, the teachers focus on the children who are successful. Our method, which proved to be very effective, is that through extra lessons, contact with parents and other efforts, we help the pupils who have lagged behind to continue their education," says Ingrid Eelde Koivisto, President of Pratham Sweden.
After-school activities
Project Playground’s mission is to give children and youth better opportunities in life. The organisation is established in townships in South Africa that are socially and economically deprived. Many of the participants are living under inadequate living conditions and in a society with an absent support system. Through after-school activities, sports, and support programmes the organisation strengthens children’s and youth’s personal and social development. Everything at Project Playground is free of charge and everyone between the ages 4 and 18 is welcome to join.
Technology challenge
Several of Saab’s employees in Australia serve as mentors in a programme called “Subs in schools technology challenge” to promote an interest in technology and the defence industry among secondary school students. “Being a mentor is a good way to do good while gaining valuable experience in leadership and project management,” says Jacob Shearer, one of Saab's mentors.
Children on the move
Children on the Move is a drop-in centre for at-risk children in Centurion in South Africa, where they can come after school for a meal, activities and homework help. Saab provides financial support and our employees sometimes serve as volunteers at the centre.
Saab’s Technical High School
Saab’s Technical High School in Arboga, Sweden, is a national three-year technology programme which is run in collaboration between the company's business units in the area and Vasagymnasiet in the municipality of Arboga. Our personnel work as teachers, mentors and training administrators within some of Saab’s most renowned technological fields: aeronautics, surveillance, communication/management, logistics and security. Saab is also responsible for field trips, exchange courses abroad as well as paid internships and summer jobs. The combination of theory and practice makes the course especially valuable.
Science and technology for everyone
In Sweden, we support NTA (Science and technology for everyone), which gives science teachers an opportunity to train their students experimentally. In addition to financial support we, among other things, offer teachers to visit us.