GE Debuts Brilliant Career Lab at Boston Public Schools; Demonstrates Commitment to Students and Educators

GE (NYSE: GE), GE Foundation and Boston Public Schools today launched the GE Brilliant Career Lab, a first-of-its-kind interactive mobile technology lab designed to prepare students for innovative digital industrial jobs of the future. The Brilliant Career Lab focuses on enhancing access to skills training in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through hands on experiences and mentoring, as well as a website that offers access to similar experiences and career information.

“GE is focused on forward-looking, innovative technologies, and through the GE Brilliant Career Lab we will advance students’ understanding and ability to pursue STEM careers,” said Ann R. Klee, president, GE Foundation and vice president, Boston Development and Operations for GE. “At GE, we take investment in future generations very seriously and through innovations like the GE Brilliant Career Lab we plan to help meet future needs for skilled workers.”

The Brilliant Career Lab offers both physical and virtual locations so that students have access to unique, hands-on experiences with advanced manufacturing technology. Through the mobile lab, students will become familiar with new technologies, such as 3-D printers, laser cutters, milling machines, and programming tools. They will be able to work on projects to help them understand the uses and features of the equipment. The Brilliant Career Mobile Lab will first be deployed in Boston Public Schools, with the goal of sharing the mobile labs in other cities in the coming years.

The Brilliant Career Lab website, www.brilliantcareerlab.org, also launched today and has tools to help students with career planning and preparation. The site houses career assessments that identify potential STEM related careers paths and interactive activities that teach students about opportunities based on their interests and skills.

“In Boston, we are committed to making our city a leader in bringing STEM education to all students,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “The Brilliant Career Lab is an example of how companies like GE improve our city and bring more opportunities to Boston’s young people. The Lab will help prepare BPS students for the jobs of the future, and I’m proud to support this partnership and a strong STEM foundation for all of Boston’s students.”

“Preparing our students for the careers of the future is a collective responsibility, and the GE Foundation has stepped up to contribute to the learning experiences of many BPS high schoolers,” said School Committee Chairperson Michael O’Neill. “On behalf of the Committee, I would like to extend our gratitude for this new budding partnership, and we look forward to seeing the results as our students participate in mobile lab workshops, prepare to graduate, and enter the workforce.”

The Brilliant Career Lab is a centerpiece of the GE Foundation’s $25 million investment to support Boston students and educators, an important piece of a larger, ongoing commitment from GE to the City of Boston as GE moves its headquarters to the city. Through the $25 million commitment, GE has the potential to reach thousands of Boston Public Schools high school students each year with career labs, computer science courses and high school design experience to prepare tomorrow’s workforce. The investment will provide students the opportunity to explore college and career possibilities, and to understand the skills necessary for future employment. GE will also help STEM high school teachers to better prepare students for college and their future careers.

“The Brilliant Career Lab opens a door for Boston students by providing a new – and engaging -  level of technology and skills-preparedness training,” said Tommy Chang, superintendent of the Boston Public Schools. “We are proud to be working with the GE Foundation to bring valuable, educational tools to BPS students that will help prepare them to enter the workforce, and in turn, bring value back to communities across our city.”

ABOUT GE FOUNDATION

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GE, is committed to building a world that works better. We empower people by helping them build the skills they need to succeed in a global economy. We equip communities with the technology and capacity to improve access to better health and education. We elevate ideas that are tackling the world’s toughest challenges to advance economic development and improve lives. The GE Foundation is powered by the generosity and talent of our employees, who have a strong commitment to their communities. We are at work making the world work better. Follow the GE Foundation at www.gefoundation.com and on Twitter at @GE_Foundation.

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