GE Vernova and PROTEC recently celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of 27 students from the Next Engineers Engineering Academy. The ceremony, held at The University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, marks the third graduating class of the program. This initiative aims to bridge the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills gap in South Africa by providing hands-on engineering experiences and career pathways for young learners.
The graduating students, representing nine high schools across Johannesburg, were joined by their families to celebrate their achievements. Many of these learners plan to pursue engineering-related qualifications at universities and technical institutions. The Next Engineers Engineering Academy is a global college- and career-readiness program designed to increase opportunities for young people in engineering. It was launched in 2022, with PROTEC, the University of Witwatersrand, and the Kutitiva Foundation as educational partners.
GE Vernova engineers and employees actively engage with Engineering Academy participants through hands-on, skill-based volunteering. Since the program began, they have donated over 3,700 hours locally. Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East & Africa, highlighted the importance of investing in people and empowering a diverse, homegrown workforce to solve Africa’s critical energy challenges.
The Next Engineers: Engineering Academy offers a transformative learning experience for learners aged 15 to 18, teaching engineering concepts, providing career mentors, and awarding scholarships to qualifying graduates. The program includes a rigorous 180+ hour curriculum, immersive design challenges, and career coaching. To date, the program has supported qualifying graduates with over $156,000 in scholarships.
In addition to the Engineering Academy, Next Engineers offers the Engineering Discovery program for students aged 13 to 14, introducing them to engineering through exploratory, hands-on activities. The program in Johannesburg has reached more than 4,600 learners. Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC, emphasized that the program is not just about engineering but also about opening doors, building confidence, and helping young people believe in their potential.
GE Vernova’s commitment to nurturing future STEM talent in South Africa extends beyond Next Engineers. Through its External Bursary Programme, the company has provided comprehensive bursaries totaling $8.7 million to more than 900 beneficiaries pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Science, Commerce, and Arts since 2020. These bursaries help alleviate the financial burden for tertiary students.
The Next Engineers program is a testament to the positive impact of collaborative efforts between organizations like GE Vernova and PROTEC in addressing the STEM skills gap in South Africa. The program’s success demonstrates the potential for similar initiatives to inspire and prepare the next generation to solve global challenges while creating new pathways to opportunity.
Key points
- 27 students graduate from Next Engineers Engineering Academy in Johannesburg.
- The program has reached over 4,600 learners in Johannesburg since its inception.
- GE Vernova has provided $8.7 million in bursaries to over 900 beneficiaries since 2020.
