Fanshawe College unveils new $5 million welding lab

CREDIT: FSU PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Step inside Fanshawe's newly upgraded welding lab.

On June 27, the college hosted a ceremony to unveil a new $5 million welding lab funded in part by $800,000 in grants by the Province of Ontario Apprenticeship Capital Grant. The ceremony was held in the B Building of Fanshawe’s main campus.

The unveiling was run by Faculty of Science, Trades and Technology, Stephen Patterson. Patterson was joined by Fanshawe president Peter Devlin and several guests including Liberal MP for London North Centre Peter Fragiskatos and Conservative MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, Rob Flack.

The new lab consists of:

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  • 50 welding stations, increased from 37
  • A dual-use welding lab, capable of booking two 25-seat sections at any time, with two distinct teaching areas contained within the shop
  • 20 welding simulators, accommodating 20 users, in the centre of the lab
 

It will also provide potential for program development such as Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, micro-certifications, upskilling opportunities, program expansion, as well as the launch of a new Welding and Fabrication Technician diploma program with paid co-op placements.

Before the construction of the new labs, the current space accommodated up to 500 students. But the labs are now accessed by nearly 3,500 students a year.

Some of the grant money was also used to refurbish a couple transformers and some of the physical welding stations that needed repair after years of wear and tear. Patterson explained that many students worked late during weekdays and weekends due to the limited capacity of welding stations and higher volume of students, which prompted the need for renovations.

The new welding lab is aimed to reduce scheduling levels from 139 per cent to 75 per cent, ensuring students have ample space and time to work on projects.

For first-year students, new virtual reality welding stations provide the opportunity to learn the skills of the trade without wasting physical materials.

You can find more information about the new Welding and Fabrication Technician diploma program under programs and courses at www.fanshawec.ca.