GE Aerospace is poised to make a significant impact on the future of engineering education in New York’s Capital Region. The company has partnered with the Museum of Innovation & Science (miSci), the University at Albany, and NY CREATES to launch the Next Engineers program, which aims to train local students to become the next generation of technology leaders. Over the next four years, approximately 4,000 students are expected to receive free training from engineers at GE Aerospace.
The initiative was announced on Tuesday, and miSci President Chris Hunter emphasized the program’s hands-on approach. Museum staff will visit local schools alongside GE Aerospace engineers to engage eighth and ninth graders in practical engineering activities. “Part of the process is us bringing kind of a fun, hands-on activity and building teamwork,” Hunter stated. He added that the partnership with GE Aerospace volunteers will provide students with insights into the engineering profession and personal journeys.
The Next Engineers program is set to commence in early 2026, with miSci preparing to organize sessions with schools in the region. Participating districts include the Schenectady City School District, Ballston Spa, Albany, and Cohoes. The program will start with hands-on lessons for eighth and ninth grade students, while select tenth graders will advance to the engineering academy, which will feature design challenges and college readiness workshops. Those who complete the academy and pursue engineering degrees will also have access to college scholarships.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by GE Aerospace, which has already established the Next Engineers program in locations such as Ohio, South Carolina, England, and South Africa. In 2024, GE Aerospace announced a $20 million investment to expand the program into four new locations, including the Capital Region, as well as India and Poland.
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, representing the Rotterdam area, noted the growing demand for engineers worldwide. “The need for engineers has never been greater,” he said. “Around the world, the demand for skilled problem-solvers continues to rise, but only about 20% of high school students express interest in these STEM careers. That’s what makes programs like Next Engineers so important.”
To date, more than 26,000 students aged 13 to 18 have participated in the Next Engineers program globally. Joe Vinciquerra, general manager and senior executive director at the GE Aerospace Research Center, expressed pride in launching the program in New York’s Capital Region, a historically significant area for industrial research. “We know firsthand the impact thousands of engineers can have in changing people’s lives for the better,” Vinciquerra remarked. “Through Next Engineers, we will help cultivate talent to address the world’s biggest technological challenges.”
With this initiative, GE Aerospace and its partners aim to inspire local youth, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for future careers in engineering and technology.
