Ten years ago, iGEMS began with a dream — a dream to connect education to opportunity, to bridge the gap between school and industry, and to grow South Africa’s next generation of engineers.

From a small initiative in the Eastern Cape, iGEMS has become a powerful platform for youth development and transformation, impacting over 1,000 learners and partnering with dozens of companies and mentors who believe in building skills and hope right here in Gqeberha.

From Vision to Impact

When the programme launched, the goal was clear: to create a pipeline of talented, skilled, and employable young engineers who could contribute to the local economy and make a lasting difference in their communities.

Over the past decade, iGEMS has done just that — not by focusing only on academic results, but by developing the whole person. Learners are supported through academic tutorials in maths, science, and coding, while also being guided through leadership development, public speaking, time management, and career readiness training.

As Berenice Rose, Programme Director, explains:

“iGEMS has always been about more than marks. It’s about impact — keeping talent in the Nelson Mandela Metro and building futures right here in Gqeberha.”

Building Engineers — and Leaders

Through hands-on workshops, coding sessions, site visits, and mentorships, iGEMS equips learners with both the technical skills to succeed and the soft skills to stand out.

As one facilitator put it,

“Technical skills open doors. Soft skills keep them open.”

This holistic approach ensures that learners don’t just enter the world of engineering — they enter it with confidence, purpose, and the ability to lead.

A Decade of Transformation

Over the years, iGEMS graduates have gone on to become engineers, innovators, and mentors themselves — a living testament to what’s possible when opportunity meets commitment.

Companies across the region have recognised the value of this transformation.

“The transformation we see is extraordinary — schoolchildren become employable engineers.”

This ripple effect is what continues to drive iGEMS forward — one learner, one mentor, one company at a time.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate ten years of impact, we also look forward — to the next generation of innovators, dreamers, and problem-solvers who will continue to shape South Africa’s future.

With the support of our partners, facilitators, mentors, and alumni, iGEMS remains committed to growing talent, building confidence, and nurturing leadership — all rooted in the belief that hope starts here, in the Eastern Cape.

Watch the Video

🎬 Experience the journey and celebrate a decade of transformation in our 10 Years of Impact video:

10 years. Thousands of lives impacted. Skills built for the future. Hope anchored in the Eastern Cape.

This is iGEMS — Incubating Great Engineering Minds.