Our Program
On October 13, 2021, the GE Foundation, with GE Vernova, and The Inspirational Learning Group (TILG) launched Next Engineers Staffordshire.
Over five years, the Next Engineers programme became one of the most significant engineering outreach initiatives delivered across Staffordshire. Next Engineers Staffordshire inspired more than 10,500 young people, helping them develop confidence, curiosity and a greater understanding of engineering and the opportunities it can provide.
We are incredibly grateful to our community partner, TILG, which has been responsible for delivering the Discovery, Experience and Academy strands of the programme, continually refining delivery each year through feedback, evaluation and close collaboration with programme partners.
Additionally, GE Vernova volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours to Next Engineers Staffordshire, coaching students through design challenges, sharing their career experiences, and providing students insight into what it's really like to be an engineer.
Thanks to their dedication and energy, Next Engineers Staffordshire consistently exceeded expectations.
To learn more about ongoing engineering education opportunities in Staffordshire, visit EngineersofChange.org.
Engineering Academy
Year 11
A transformative learning experience
Over three years, students learn engineering skills and prepare for further education at a university or training through an apprenticeship program. 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 Staffordshire graduates who enter higher education for engineering degrees will be awarded 10,000 USD (approximately £8,000, dependent on exchange rate) in financial support. Engineering Academy graduates who commit to an engineering apprenticeship at any company in the U.K. will receive approximately 1,500 USD (approximately £1,300) to help fund transportation, books, and supplies.
Over 3 cohorts, Engineering Academy Staffordshire supported the engineering journeys of 132 students. 70% of Academy participants graduated from the intensive program.
Engineering Experience
Year 10
An immersive learning experience
Students (ages 14 to 15) are immersed in the engineering process through a week-long camp experience. Students interact with experienced engineering faculty, staff, and business leaders as they complete design challenges inspired by real-world scenarios, building an identity as aspiring engineers.
Engineering Experience in Staffordshire reached 633 young people, with approximately 95% reporting satisfaction with the programme.
Engineering Discovery
Year 9
Opportunities to explore and discover
Students (Year 9) 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.
Engineering Discovery in Staffordshire engaged over 9,700 students in hands-on activities and engineering career exploration. Over 75% of participants reported increased awareness of engineering, and about 60% reported increased interest.
News & Updates
Graduation
News & Updates
Next Engineers Staffordshire Cohort 3 Celebrate Graduation After Three-Year Engineering Journey
Students from Next Engineers Cohort 3 graduated after completing more than 220 hours of learning outside the classroom, marking the end of a journey that has seen them grow in confidence, develop new skills and discover what's possible through engineering.
Volunteer
News & Updates
Inspiring the next generation through volunteering - Staffordshire
During an Academy session, we caught up with Fatima Amara, a Lead Control and Protection Engineer at GE Vernova, who volunteered her time to support students as they developed ideas, worked through challenges, and built confidence in presenting their thinking. We asked Fatima why programmes like this matter and what volunteering means to her.
Camp
News & Updates
Over 100 students inspired to be the Next Engineers of our generation!
The Inspirational Learning Group (TILG) has marked another hugely successful year of its Next Engineers Summer Camp, welcoming over 100 aspiring young engineers to the Octagon Events Centre at Stafford Education and Enterprise Park.
Academy graduation
News & Updates
Staffordshire's Cohort 2 of the Engineering Academy Graduates!
On the 25th of June, after spending a total of 220 hours outside of school learning to think like engineers, Cohort 2 of the Engineering Academy graduated!
Mentoring Month
News & Updates
From Volunteers to Pioneers in Engineering Mentorship
“It was super rewarding to bring a group of people from just an idea they had in their head to actually creating and pitching a product,” says Eoin about his experience mentoring Next Engineers students
Applications now open for Next Engineers : Staffordshire Engineering Experience 2025
News & Updates
Applications now open for Next Engineers : Staffordshire Engineering Experience 2025
Following the success of 2023 and 2024, The Inspirational Learning Group is delighted to announce that the Next Engineers: Staffordshire Engineering Experience is back for 2025 and applications are now open!
Academy graduates reflect on how the Engineering Academy has prepared them for the next steps towards their career aspirations.
News & Updates
Academy graduates reflect on how the Engineering Academy has prepared them for the next steps towards their career aspirations.
It’s been 3 months since our first Academy graduates began the next steps in their career progression ladder and we are so proud of each and every one of them.
From Mechanical Engineering Degrees at university, to Civil Engineering apprenticeships, to taking a gap year to travel the world (!), our “builders of tomorrow” are going on to achieve remarkable things.
Academy students engage with charities as part of Open Design project
News & Updates
Academy students engage with charities as part of Open Design project
We were delighted to welcome back our Academy students to Stafford last month for an action-packed couple of days.
During the school’s half–term, Students from Cohort’s 2 and 3 were back on-site in October with The Inspirational Learning Group and volunteer graduates from General Electric Vernova developing their skills and knowledge as aspiring engineers of the future! After ice-breaker activities, our young people were put through their paces with our team.
Representatives from The Inspirational Learning Group take part in Community Partner meeting in Washington DC
News & Updates
Representatives from The Inspirational Learning Group take part in Community Partner meeting in Washington DC
Back in September, representatives from The Inspirational Learning Group were invited to collaborate with other global partners, as part of the Next Engineers Community Partners meeting in Washington DC.
TILG Project Manager, Paul Dyer was joined by Head of Curriculum, Education & Quality, Rebecca Clarke and Trainee Accountant Carla Thomas, which saw them meeting with the teams from the other three global locations, Johannesburg - South Africa and Cincinnati and Greenville representing North America.
In preparation of Academy graduation, Cohort 1 students reflect on their 3 years.
News & Updates
In preparation of Academy graduation, Cohort 1 students reflect on their 3 years.
It’s all hands on deck at The Inspirational Learning Group as we prepare for a busy summer of Next Engineers activity. In addition to welcoming 100 young aspiring engineers as part of our Experience weeks, we are also working hard in final preparations for the graduation event for our fantastic Cohort 1 Academy students!
In advance of their graduation on Thursday 1st August, we asked the Cohort to reflect on their 3 years with the Next Engineers Academy and share their experiences and future plans with us.
Staffordshire’s aspiring engineers celebrate graduation from Next Engineers Engineering Academy
News & Updates
Staffordshire’s aspiring engineers celebrate graduation from Next Engineers Engineering Academy
On Thursday 1st August, our fantastic Cohort 1 students were joined by family, friends and representatives of Next Engineers and The Inspirational Learning Group who watched on as our aspiring engineers graduated from the Engineering Academy at Uttoxeter Racecourse.
“I always look forward to coming here because it’s such a great opportunity and i feel cared about” Reflections from our Cohort 3 Academy students
News & Updates
“I always look forward to coming here because it’s such a great opportunity and i feel cared about” Reflections from our Cohort 3 Academy students
Back in January, 44 young people from all areas in Staffordshire came together for the first time with a shared goal: to take part in a 3-year transformative learning experience, learning how to think and act like engineers. As we approach the end of the UK academic year, we caught up with our Cohort 3 aspiring engineers and asked them to reflect on their experiences during their first year of the Next Engineers: Engineering Academy.
Documents & Links
Staffordshire Brochure
This two-page overview provides more information on the Next Engineers program in Staffordshire.
