Building a better world

Next Engineers is a global college- and career- readiness program designed to increase the diversity of young people in engineering. Launched in 2021 by the GE Foundation in four global cities, the program provides students ages 13 to 18 with first-hand experiences in engineering concepts and careers, and ultimately awards partial scholarships to pursue higher education in engineering. Next Engineers continues with the GE Aerospace Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is supported by GE Vernova in Greenville, South Carolina; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Stafford, U.K.

An engineer asks questions and uses science and math to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. The key to being an engineer is imagining and seeing something new, something no one has imagined before. An engineer is also a creator and makes things for everyday life. Engineers solve real-world problems, like bringing affordable, clean energy to more people and making clean water available everywhere.

There are different types of engineers, such as:

• Civil engineers design and build roads, bridges, buildings, dams and other structures and make sure they are safe and last a long time.
• Mechanical engineers design and build machines like ambulances, jet engines, telescopes, and Ferris wheels.
• Electrical engineers work with electricity to make essential things like traffic lights, or they use electricity to power cars and design electric airplane engines.
• Chemical engineers combine raw materials into new products to make things like more efficient solar panels and larger storage batteries.

Visit our page What Do Engineers Do? to learn more about engineering from real engineers and through our career profiles.

Inspiring engineers is core to building a world that works. Next Engineers:

• Addresses Global Challenges: Engineers are creating blueprints for a world that works, and engineers from diverse backgrounds can bring the varied perspectives we need to address the world’s most pressing challenges – from clean energy to quality healthcare and more sustainable flight.
• Lights Pathways: Anyone who wants to be an engineer and shows aptitude for engineering should be able to become an engineer. Next Engineers provides opportunities and support for all participants. By investing in students now, we can ensure we’ll be able to meet the future demands for skilled engineering talent and increase diversity in engineering.
• Changes the Narrative about Engineering: Many young people have preconceived notions about engineers. By introducing students to engineering role models from diverse backgrounds, we are inspiring more students to pursue engineering careers and building a more diverse engineering workforce.

Next Engineers is designed to show students how engineering can solve global challenges connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), such as clean energy, sustainable transportation, and quality healthcare. The initiative is meant to inspire and nurture a pipeline of students, each bringing their unique perspective to the field, to become the next generation of global problem solvers.