Our Programme

GE Vernova logo

On 13 October, 2021, the GE Foundation, with GE South Africa and the Programme for Technological Careers (PROTEC), launched Next Engineers Johannesburg. Together, we are investing in Johannesburg's young people — the future engineers who will drive the change the world needs.

GE Vernova employees: are you interested in volunteering for Next Engineers? If so, contact the Johannesburg Team for more information.

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Engineering Academy
Grade 10

A transformative learning experience

Are you a rising 10th grade learner? Do you want the chance to think and act like an engineer? Apply to be in the Engineering Academy. Over three years, students (beginning in Grade 10) learn engineering skills and prepare for university. With over 220 hours over 3 years outside of school, the Academy includes a series of immersive design challenges, career coaching, and university-readiness workshops to equip youth with the skills they need to build an engineering career. All Next Engineers: Engineering Academy Johannesburg graduates who enter higher education for engineering degrees will be awarded $6,000 USD in financial support. 

Applications are closed! We are not accepting new applications in Johannesburg for the foreseeable future. Thank you to everyone who applied. If you have any questions, please e-mail nextengineers@protec.org.za. Thank you!

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Engineering Discovery
Grade 8

Opportunities to explore and discover

Learners (Grade 8) build awareness about what engineers do through a variety of short, exploratory sessions led by GE Vernova engineers. Volunteers deliver creative, hands-on activities in the classroom or community to inspire young people and expand their understanding of what engineering is all about.

News & Updates
Johannesburg Academy
News & Updates
Johannesburg's Academy Cohort 3 Presents Final Designs While Discovery Continues

The Johannesburg Engineering Academy Cohort 3 conducted their final presentations, while Protec continues their site visits for Engineering Discovery.

Cohort 3
Johannesburg Academy
News & Updates
Johannesburg Engineering Academy 2026 kicks off with Strong Employability Skills and Engaged Families

As 2026 begins, the Engineering Academy continues to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders in Johannesburg. 

Cohort 3
Johannesburg Graduation
News & Updates
GE Vernova and PROTEC Celebrate Graduation of Next Engineers: Engineering Academy class

Next Engineers, a global college- and career-readiness programme working to increase the opportunities for young people in engineering, celebrated the graduation of 43 learners from the Engineering Academy in Johannesburg.

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Johannesburg Camp
News & Updates
Exciting Site Visits and a Successful Cohort 3 Kick-Off in Johannesburg!

During this winter break, Next Engineers: Engineering Academy Cohort 3 in Johannesburg visited the Kusile Powerplant and aviation sector at SA Airlink. The teams from Kusile and Airlink were very welcoming and accommodating as they received teams from PROTEC, Kutitiva Foundation, and the learners with warmth. 

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Jessie's Profile
News & Updates
Engineering Futures: Dr. Yu-Chieh Jessie Yen’s Journey with Next Engineers

Engineering Academy facilitator Dr. Yu-Chieh Jessie Yen believes that "People need just a little bit of encouragement to do amazing things." 

Jessie
Cohort 1 Journey
News & Updates
Cohort 1 Design Challenge Journey

As we gear up to the Cohort 1 graduations, we take a look back at the Design Challenges that our Cohort 1 participants had to face. It truly has been a journey of learning, designing and growth!

Cohort 1 journey
Johannesburg Discovery
News & Updates
Engineering Discovery Sessions for the Year Begin

Johannesburg's Engineering Discovery has reached 3 170 Grade 8 learners across the city since launch in 2022. This year, the team is aiming to reach 1 000 more!

Johannesburg Discovery
Johannesburg Academy
News & Updates
Johannesburg Academy is Back and the Family has Grown!

Johannesburg kicks off Year 3 of Engineering Academy, welcoming Cohort 3.

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Johannesburg Academy
News & Updates
Can Wind Really Generate Electricity?

Learners had the task to design what could possibly be the solution to South Africa’s energy crisis. The learners had to tackle a challenge called Power of Wind.

Power of Wind
Johannesburg Camp
News & Updates
A Snowy Winter's Day Won't Stop the Fun!

The second installation of the Next Engineers: Engineering Camp Johannesburg may have been the coldest yet, but the heat of fun and learning was undeniable! 

Campers in the Snow
Johannesburg Academy
News & Updates
A Day (or Two) in the Life of an Engineer!

Next Engineers: Engineering Academy Johannesburg Cohort 1 learners spent two days with engineers from GE South Africa in their field of work.

Johannesburg Tour
Johannesburg Discovery
News & Updates
Engineering Discovery Resumes

After a short break in our sessions, the Johannesburg team has resumed the Discovery sessions in selected schools around Johannesburg.

Ferndale Discovery
Johannesburg Academy
News & Updates
It's a Wrap... For Now!

Our Engineering Academy learners have completed their first Design Challenges for 2023!

Academy Clean Stream
Global Challenge
News & Updates
Engineers Week Global Challenge Winners!

The Next Engineers Johannesburg team is thrilled to announce one of our teams as winners of the Global Engineers Week Cross-Site Challenge

Global Challenge Winners
Johannesburg Anniversary
News & Updates
Leaps and Bounds Abound as we Celebrate our First Year of Implementation!

February marked a year since the official launch of Next Engineers in Johannesburg - see what the program has accomplished!

Johannesburg Group
Johannesburg Programs
News & Updates
PROTEC Highlights Since October '21

GE Next Engineers has been a wonderful journey since inception last year. At Protec, it has kept us very busy and we are thrilled with the results.

Joburg Academy
Johannesburg Programs
News & Updates
208 Grade 9 Learners Gain Insight and Inspiration at Engineering Camp

An exciting taste of all things engineering was given to 208 Grade 9 learners – 122 girls and 86 boys – from schools around Johannesburg in July at PROTEC’s first GE (formerly General Electric) Next Engineers Camp at Wits University.

Johannesburg Camp
Johannesburg Programs
News & Updates
Building Cakes No One’s Dreamed of Yet – Faiqa A.

Meet Faiqa, a 10th grade student at the UJ Metropolitan Academy in Johannesburg who loves baking and science. This year, she became one of the first Engineering Academy students in South Africa.

Faiqa in Academy
Johannesburg Programs
News & Updates
Engineering Academy Johannesburg Cohort 1 Selected

After having received over 120 qualifying applications, the next step for the selection of the first 50 learners to participate in the Next Engineers: Engineering Academy kicked off. 

Cohort 1
Launch
News & Updates
Next Engineers Programme Launches in Johannesburg

The first cohort of over 550 high school learners from Johannesburg will be the first to develop their engineering identities through ‘Next Engineers.’ Watch the live event recording and learn more.

Live Stream
Press Release
News & Updates
GE & PROTEC prepare for launch of GE’s Next Engineers in Johannesburg

It’s full steam ahead for the launch of GE’s inaugural Next Engineers.

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Press Release
News & Updates
Launching Next Engineers Johannesburg, South Africa

GE Invests $2.5 Million in the Next Generation of Johannesburg Engineers.

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