GE Vernova Foundation launches $4.5 million initiative to develop future engineers

The GE Vernova Foundation has launched a $4.5 million initiative designed to introduce thousands of Upstate students to engineering careers, strengthening the region’s pipeline of future workers in energy and advanced manufacturing.

The Engineers of Change program will provide hands-on engineering experiences, real-world design challenges and mentorship from industry professionals. The initiative aims to reach 3,000 Greenville-area students over the next three years.

The investment builds on GE Vernova’s longstanding presence in the Upstate, where the company has operated for more than 55 years. Its Greenville campus is home to the nation’s largest gas turbine manufacturing plant, producing equipment used to generate electricity for customers around the world.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GE Vernova is a global energy technology company specializing in power generation, electrification and wind energy. The company became an independent publicly traded business in April 2024 following its separation from General Electric.

In January 2025, GE Vernova announced plans to invest more than $160 million in its Greenville operations and create more than 650 manufacturing and engineering jobs to meet growing demand for electricity generation equipment.

The Engineers of Change initiative was officially launched Nov. 2 at GE Vernova’s Advanced Manufacturing Works facility in Greenville, bringing together company executives, Clemson University representatives, educators and community leaders.

“Meeting the world’s growing energy needs will require not only breakthrough technology, but people — bold thinkers, problem-solvers, and next-generation leaders,” said Kristin Carvell, president of the GE Vernova Foundation and chief communications officer of GE Vernova.

The program includes two components. Engineering Spark introduces younger students to engineering concepts through classroom activities and demonstrations. Engineering Catalyst offers older students an immersive two-year experience involving design projects, career preparation and opportunities to work with professional engineers.

Clemson University will deliver the Greenville program through its Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention, with additional support from FHI 360, a global nonprofit organization.

The initiative also extends to Staffordshire, England, another community where GE Vernova maintains significant manufacturing operations. The $4.5 million investment supports programming in both locations.

Since 2021, GE Vernova and its foundation have awarded nearly 300 scholarships and supported technical education and skilled trades programs in the Greenville area.

The Engineers of Change program represents another investment in developing the skilled workforce needed to support the Upstate’s energy and manufacturing industries.

For more information about the program, including eligibility and applications for Greenville students, visit Engineers of Change.