We are delighted to announce that the GE Aerospace Foundation and the Perspektywy Educational Foundation have launched the Next Engineers program in Warsaw. This initiative aims to foster diversity and inspire young people to pursue engineering studies.
The Warsaw Next Engineers program will feature two key components: Engineering Discovery, designed for students in the final years of primary school and early years of secondary school, and Engineering Academy, which aims to prepare older students to think and work like engineers. This will be achieved through practical design challenges, professional coaching, and workshops that prepare participants for higher education. Graduates of the Engineering Academy who choose to study engineering will also be eligible for scholarships. The program is set to commence in early 2025, with an estimated 4,000 students participating over the next four years.
“We are proud of the impact the Next Engineers program has had on 18,000 students worldwide since its inception in 2021, and we are thrilled to continue this success in Warsaw,” said Germaine Hunter, Board Member of the GE Aerospace Foundation and Diversity Leader at GE Aerospace. “Expanding Next Engineers to Poland builds on a decade of volunteer efforts by GE Aerospace employees who are dedicated to inspiring future generations of engineers and helping them develop their passions and skills.”
“For 17 years, the Perspektywy Foundation has inspired over 250,000 young women to pursue education in engineering,” said Bianka Siwińska, President of the Perspektywy Educational Foundation. “We eagerly anticipate collaborating with the Next Engineers program and the GE Aerospace Foundation to expand this reach and provide talented young people with the best possible opportunity to grow and fulfill their dreams of a career in engineering.”
Fully funded by the GE Aerospace Foundation and supported technically by FHI 360, the Perspektywy Educational Foundation will coordinate and implement the Polish edition of the Next Engineers program.
Why is this initiative so important? The Next Engineers program goes beyond traditional education by offering hands-on experiences, mentorship, and financial support to empower young people. By fostering diversity and providing practical tools, this initiative addresses the growing need for skilled engineers in a rapidly changing world. Moreover, it highlights the potential of global and local collaborations to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. This is not just an investment in education—it's an investment in our future.
