43 Johannesburg learners graduate from engineering academy

Next Engineers, a global college and career-readiness programme dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people in engineering, celebrated the graduation of 43 learners from its Engineering Academy in Johannesburg. The ceremony, held at The University of the Witwatersrand, marked the programme’s second graduating class and highlighted its role in bridging South Africa’s STEM skills gap by exposing learners to hands-on engineering experiences and career pathways.

The graduates, representing 15 high schools across Johannesburg, were joined by their families to celebrate their achievements. Many plan to pursue engineering-related qualifications at universities and technical institutions.

Launched in 2022, the programme is run in partnership with PROTEC, the University of Witwatersrand, and the Kutitiva Foundation. GE Vernova engineers and employees actively engage with participants through hands-on volunteering, donating over 680 hours in Johannesburg in 2024 alone.

“We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates and commend their dedication to pursuing careers in engineering,” said Matsi Eseu, South Africa HR Director for GE Vernova. “Supporting young talent through programmes like Next Engineers is central to GE Vernova’s mission. In Johannesburg, we see first-hand how these opportunities empower students to unlock their potential and contribute to solving real-world challenges. We are honored to play a role in shaping a more dynamic future for engineering in South Africa.”

Learners who complete the Engineering Academy and enroll in an engineering or related degree programme are eligible for financial aid. To date, the Johannesburg programme has reached nearly 4 100 learners and awarded $36 000 (R628000) in scholarships to qualifying graduates. Locally, GE Vernova has also provided an additional $83 000 (R1.4 million)to ten graduates through its External Bursary Programme.

“I applaud PROTEC for its role in promoting STEM education and helping to develop a cohort of young people who represent the core of our future workforce,” said Dr. Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. “You have chosen to be the bridge between potential and opportunity for many young people in our country. You reach places that, for a variety of reasons, government programmes may not always reach - our rural communities, under-resourced schools, and marginalised groups. Your programmes continue to ignite curiosity, nurture the raw talent and open doors for young people who would otherwise be left behind. Your mentorships, youth clubs, bootcamps, and your efforts to bring scientific experiments and floating laboratories to those who have never seen a science laboratory in their lives is a transformative experience. You have helped a young girl in a village believe she can be an engineer and shown a boy from the township that coding is not only for those in affluent urban centres; careers in engineering are meant for them as well. Let us therefore commit, collectively, to building the science, technology, and engineering foundations that will carry our continent into a future we will co-create. As government, we are your ally; we do not see you as gap-fillers, but as catalysts for transformation.”

“We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s Engineering Academy graduates. Their drive and curiosity exemplify the promise of South Africa’s next generation of engineers,” said Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC. “We are grateful to GE Vernova for their vision and commitment in making this program possible. Together, we have helped deliver opportunities that have contributed to empowering young minds."

STEM training and education initiatives like Next Engineers not only help address global challenges but also uplift communities by creating economic opportunities. GE Vernova’s commitment to nurturing future STEM talent in South Africa extends beyond Next Engineers: through its External Bursary Programme, the company has awarded $7.3 million (R128.5 million) in bursaries to more than 900 students pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Science, Commerce, and Arts since 2020. These bursaries cover tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and monthly stipends.

For more information about Next Engineers and the Engineering Academy, visit NextEngineers.org.