The Capital Region Is Investing In The Engineers Of The Future

Since the opening of the Schenectady General Electric Research Laboratory in 1900, the Capital Region has been at the forefront of technological and electrical innovation.

Now, a division of General Electric is turning their eye back to the Capital Region, hoping to inspire the next generation to continue that legacy.

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Next Engineers

On October 7th, 2025, GE Aerospace launched their Next Engineers initiative in the Capital Region. This program has proven success all over the globe, from India to Poland, and Ohio to South Carolina. All of these sites have proven success, and have provided a framework for the Capital Region's success.

The Next Engineers program is intended to inspire and educate today's students to become the engineers of tomorrow through a dual-part program that will give the youth the knowledge and experience to succeed in higher education.

What Does the Program Entail?

As stated earlier, the Next Engineers Program involves two separate steps.

The first is the "Engineering Discovery" phase. This will take place for 8th and 9th graders, looking to educate themselves on what engineers do. This involves short sessions with hands-on activities and lessons that help foster an interest for the field.

The second phase is the "Engineering Academy", starting in 10th grade. This phase lasts two years, involving design challenges, career coaching, and workshops that aim to prepare students for their time in university. Over 2 years and 180 hours of extracurricular work, GE will help push students to the best of their ability. Any graduate of the Engineering Academy program who pursues a post-secondary engineering degree will receive a scholarship.