The GE Aerospace Foundation has launched its global career-readiness initiative, Next Engineers, in Bengaluru, aiming to inspire and train the next generation of engineering leaders. The expansion, announced on September 24, 2025, seeks to enhance access to STEM education for students in Bengaluru, a city renowned for its innovation and engineering expertise.
Next Engineers will offer hands-on learning experiences, career exposure, and university preparation to students aged 13 to 18, with the goal of preparing them for future careers in engineering. Over the next four years, more than 4,000 students in Bengaluru will benefit from this comprehensive programme, which is set to begin in early 2026.
Engineering Discovery and Engineering Academy programmes
The programme is designed in two phases: Engineering Discovery, targeted at younger students in early secondary school, and Engineering Academy, for older students gearing up for higher education. The academy will feature immersive design challenges, career coaching, and university-readiness workshops. In addition, students who complete the programme and pursue engineering degrees will have access to scholarships.
The expansion of Next Engineers to Bengaluru is part of a broader global initiative, with over 26,000 students already trained in cities such as Cincinnati, Johannesburg, and Warsaw. The programme will be executed in collaboration with United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) and supported by employee volunteers from GE.
Rajesh Krishnan, CEO of UWBe, reportedly emphasized Bengaluru’s role as a hub for engineering talent, making it a perfect location for the initiative.