Page 30 - Energize April 2022

NEWS

Next Engineers programme launches in

Johannesburg

The first cohort of over 550 diverse high school learners from Johannesburg will be the
first to develop their engineering identities through ‘Next Engineers’

eneral Electric (GE) in partnership with FHI360, PROTEC and the Gauteng Department “The GDE welcomes this initiative
of Education (GDE) has launched the Next Engineers programme in Johannesburg to and is grateful that GE will be investing
Gincrease the diversity of young people in engineering. in transforming our engineering sector,
The programme launch, which was officiated by the Gauteng MEC for education, Panyaza especially through our learners. The
Lesufi, will provide more than 3500 students between the ages of 13 and 18 years with over engineering sector has a critical role to play
five years of hands-on exposure to engineering concepts and careers, and ultimately award in ensuring that Gauteng achieves its goals
financial support to students pursuing engineering degrees. as articulated in the Growing Gauteng
Next Engineers, funded by the GE Foundation, has also been launched in cities in the USA Together Vision 2030,” said Gauteng
and UK. Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi.
Since announcing the selection of Johannesburg as one of the four launch cities to The US$2,5-million investment in
implement Next Engineers globally last year, PROTEC and the GDE ensured Next Engineers Johannesburg will cover funding to PROTEC
garnered significant interest in the programme from high schools across Johannesburg’s five to implement and grow the programme,
educational districts. provide financial support for up to 150
Approximately 1100 students have applied to be among the first to participate in the Engineering Academy participants and
programme’s exciting Engineering Discovery, Engineering Camp and Engineering Academy funding for tuition for 800 young people to
pillars. Today over 550 high school learners have been selected as the first cohort of students attend Engineering Camp.
to develop their engineering identities through programme’s Engineering Discovery and “Working with the GE Foundation is
Engineering Academy pillars. a key step to uplifting the lives of many
Nyimpini Mabunda, CEO of GE South Africa says, “As we slowly start recovering from the potential engineers in Johannesburg
Covid-19 pandemic, it is evident that we require more diverse solutions which will contribute while also contributing to the acceleration
to the growth of the economy. Through GE’s Next Engineers programme, we are not only of the engineering industry. Through
exposing tomorrow’s engineers and changemakers who will solve society’s most pressing this collaboration we look forward to
challenges to invaluable hands-on learning experiences but are playing our part in increasing mentoring and exposing students to
the representation of females in the engineering sector”. endless possibilities brought by the

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