Young Engineers Movement
Young Engineers Movement
What is YEM?
The Young Engineers Movement (YEM) is an immersive engineering and technology hackathon designed to equip young South Africans with the skills, mindset and confidence needed to solve real-world challenges.
Hosted by ORT South Africa, YEM brings together learners from underserved communities to collaborate, innovate and develop engineering solutions that address challenges facing their schools, communities and country.
Through hands-on learning, mentorship, teamwork and problem-solving, learners experience what it means to think and work like engineers.
Why YEM?
Inspire interest in STEM careers.
Develop engineering and design-thinking skills.
Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
Build teamwork and leadership abilities.
Expose learners to industry mentors and role models.
Prepare young people for the future of work.
The Challenge
During the five-day hackathon, learners work in teams to:
Identify real-world problems.
Design innovative solutions.
Build working prototypes.
Test and improve their ideas.
Present their solutions to a panel of mentors and industry professionals.
What Learners Gain
Engineering Skills
Learn how engineers approach challenges and develop solutions.
Problem Solving
Apply critical thinking to real-world situations.
Teamwork & Leadership
Collaborate effectively and communicate ideas.
Innovation Mindset
Transform ideas into practical solutions.
Industry Exposure
Connect with mentors and professionals working in STEM fields.
Mentors, Speakers & Industry Partners
YEM is supported by industry professionals, software engineers, entrepreneurs, educators and technology leaders who help learners develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
Through mentorship, guest speaking, judging and industry engagement, participants gain valuable insight into future careers in STEM, engineering and technology.
Interested in becoming a mentor, speaker, judge or partner?
Get InvolvedMeet Our Future Engineers
Learners working together to explore engineering, technology and creative problem-solving.
Learners building confidence through teamwork, innovation and hands-on learning.
Learners applying creativity and design thinking to develop practical solutions.
Learners exploring how technology can be used to solve real-world challenges.
Young innovators developing creative solutions through teamwork and engineering thinking.
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Latest News & Media Coverage
Follow the latest stories, media coverage and updates from the Young Engineers Movement (YEM).
Young Innovators Shine With Solutions for South Africa's Biggest Challenges
TimesLIVE highlights the innovative solutions developed by YEM learners tackling real-world community challenges.
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Young Engineers Shine as Inaugural YEM Hackathon Celebrates South Africa's Next Generation
Lifestyle & Tech showcases how young innovators transformed ideas into engineering solutions during YEM.
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55 Learners Showcase Engineering Innovations at Johannesburg Hackathon
MSN reports on learners from underserved communities developing engineering solutions during YEM.
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55 Learners from Underserved Schools Showcase Engineering Innovations
IOL highlights how YEM is exposing learners to engineering, innovation and future STEM careers.
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Young South Africans: One Springboard to the Top
Nyakaza explores how ORT SA is creating opportunities that prepare young South Africans for future careers.
Read Article →Gallery
