Thembisa Shologu
Over 550 diverse high school learners from Johannesburg will be the first to develop their engineering identities through 'Next Engineers' programme.
Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) on Thursday officially launched the Next Engineers programme in partnership with FHI360, PROTEC and General Electric (GE) to increase the diversity of young people in engineering. 
The project will provide more than 3500 students between the ages 13 to 18 over five years with hands on exposure to engineering concepts and careers, and ultimately award financial support to students pursuing engineering degrees.
Speaking at the launch at GE Africa Innovation Centre in Rosebank, MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he was not only excited, but believed that this would strengthen the master skills plan that the department has.
"As the GDE, we welcome this initiative and are grateful that GE will be investing in transforming our engineering sector, especially through our learners. 
"As we are aware, the engineering sector has a critical role to play in ensuring that Gauteng achieves its goals as articulated in the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 Plan," said Lesufi.  
Lesufi said though this partnership the department would be  able to identify the best brains  so that children can pursue careers that would assist the country, "because it is only when you invest in our young ones that we will be in a position to achieve the goals that we want to achieve."
He said the department would be in a position to bring learners that will be talented and learners that will execute this programme easily.
He said that an important aspect of the programme was that it attracts almost 60% of girl children, it will repeat itself and ensure that future learners have interest on the project.
CEO of GE South Africa, Nyimpini Mabunda said: "As we slowly start recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is evident that we require more diverse solutions that will contribute to the growth of the economy. 
"Through GE's Next Engineers programme, we are not only exposing tomorrow's engineers and changemakers who will solve society's most pressing challenges to invaluable hands-on learning experiences, but we are playing our part in increasing the representation of females in the engineering sector."
A total of 2.5 million USD has been invested to PROTEC to implement and grow the programme, provide financial support for up to 150 Engineering Academy participants and funding for tuition for 800 youth to attend Engineering Camp.
"Working with the GE Foundation is a key step to uplifting the lives of many potential engineers in Johannesburg while also contributing to the acceleration of the engineering industry. 
"Through this collaboration we look forward to mentoring and exposing students to endless possibilities brought by the engineering sector and giving them an opportunity to turn their passion into a career in engineering", said PROTEC CEO, Balan Moodley.  
Students, educators and the community can obtain updates and more information at www.nextengineers.org/cities/johannesburg