Local students in New York’s Capital Region will receive free engineering training through a new initiative by the GE Aerospace Foundation. The program, called Next Engineers, aims to cultivate the next generation of technology leaders by partnering with the Museum of Innovation & Science (miSci), the University at Albany, and NY CREATES. Over the next four years, approximately 4,000 students are expected to benefit from this initiative.
The program is set to commence in early 2026. According to miSci President Chris Hunter, museum staff will collaborate with GE Aerospace engineers to engage eighth and ninth graders in local schools. “Part of the process is us bringing kind of a fun, hands-on activity and building teamwork and introducing them to engineering,” Hunter stated.
The collaboration will involve GE Aerospace engineers leading activities and sharing personal insights about their engineering journeys. Students from various districts, including Schenectady City School District, Ballston Spa, Albany, and Cohoes, will participate in hands-on lessons designed to inspire interest in STEM careers.
Program Structure and Future Opportunities
The initiative will start with eighth and ninth graders receiving practical lessons in the classroom. Select tenth graders will have the opportunity to advance to an engineering academy featuring design challenges and college-readiness workshops. Students who successfully complete the academy and pursue engineering degrees will also be eligible for college scholarships.
The Next Engineers program, which has already been established in locations such as Ohio, South Carolina, England, and South Africa, received a significant boost in 2024 with a $20 million commitment from GE Aerospace to expand into four new regions, including the Capital Region, India, and Poland.
Growing Demand for Engineers
The need for skilled engineers is more pressing than ever. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara noted the increased global demand for problem-solvers, highlighting that only about 20% of high school students currently express interest in pursuing STEM careers. “That’s what makes programs like Next Engineers so important,” he added.
Since its inception, more than 26,000 students aged 13 to 18 have engaged in the Next Engineers program worldwide. Joe Vinciquerra, general manager and senior executive director at GE Aerospace Research Center, expressed pride in launching the initiative in New York’s Capital Region, emphasizing the historical importance of the area where America’s first industrial research lab was founded.
Vinciquerra stated, “We know firsthand the impact thousands of engineers can have in changing people’s lives for the better, and through Next Engineers, we will help cultivate talent to address the world’s biggest technological challenges.”
This program represents a commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators and ensuring that local students have access to essential resources in the rapidly evolving engineering field.
