Ten outstanding learners among 37 from different high schools across Johannesburg have been awarded bursaries to study any engineering-related qualifications in South Africa.
They all recently graduated from the Next Engineers course, a global college and career readiness initiative set up to address the skills gap in the country.
The graduation ceremony was held at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) at the Sturrock Park Sports Hall, on September 27.
This was the first ever group of young people from Joburg graduating from the Engineering Academy, under the Next Engineers programme in the country, targeting learners aged between 15 and 18-years-old.
The ceremony marked the programme's contribution towards bridging the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills gap in the country through exposing learners to hands-on engineering experiences and career pathways.
The programme is the brainchild of PROTEC, a group of engineers from the South African Institute of Civil Engineers dedicated to tackle challenges in the education system, and GE Vernova Inc, a purpose-built global energy company the includes power, wind, and electrification segments.
Speaking to IOL News, Jennifer Edwards, the director of GE Vernova Inc said the programme was launched in 2022 and they have received about 700 applications for the programme, but they had to choose just a few.
She said that the programme was aimed at inspiring young people to know more about engineering and raise awareness about the engineering industry.
“We are inspiring these young people to not only build an engineering mindset, but also to develop credible skills such as team work, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
She added: “We are hopeful that many of these young people will go to universities to study engineering.”
With an investment of R44.6 million, Edwards revealed they intend to inspire more young people, with the remaining two years of the five-year initiative.
“We have only passed our halfway point, we have two classes left for this programme remaining. We have a lot of programming ahead of us, and a lot of learners to continue to reach,” she said.
Beaming with a smile, was Devotion Chiwasa, a graduate of the programme who expressed that it has changed his view of engineering and revealed its range of specialisations.
“It has allowed me to actually select the career path I want to follow, which at this point will be electrical engineering. The programme has further narrowed down or fully explained and given a bigger picture of what engineering is,” said the proud graduate.
The Grade 12 learner at the UJ Metropolitan Academy told IOL News that he plans to study hard in his upcoming final examinations, driven by his ambition to become an electrical engineer.
Furthermore, Matsi Eseu, the South African human resource director at GE Vernova announced that they would be offering bursaries to 10 graduates of the programme to study engineering-related courses in the country at universities or TVET colleges.
“I am excited because these learners do not have to worry about funding for the next three to fours to come, depending on the duration of their courses, and we are hoping to do more,” said Eseu.
IOL