It was announced on January 5 that University of Western Ontario engineering students will now be able to supplement their degree with eight months of hands-on learning thanks to a collaboration with Fanshawe.

The new Fanshawe program, which took four years to develop and began last September, will grant those students a diploma in practical elements in mechanical engineering. The program will give them real-world experience with machines and more marketability to employers with the combined bachelor in engineering sciences and diploma they receive from U.W.O.

"This is a world-class education you're getting," said Dr. John Makaran, the chair of the School of Applied Science and Technology at Fanshawe College, and codeveloper of the program.

Today's students are missing the hands-on experience, which the program addresses, that past engineering students already had prior to attending post-secondary education.

"The background of students is changing. Thirty years ago, they had experience," explained Dr. Tony Straatman, associate professor in the department of mechanical and materials engineering at UWO and co-developer of the program. He added that students in the past would work on cars or other projects, giving them opportunities to use different tools.

"(Now) a lot of students are distracted by the Internet, cars are harder to tinker with. This program was developed in response to the changing backgrounds."

Matt Dejeu and Peter Visser, both third year engineering students from UWO, chose the program for its practical focus, both having little to no previous experience.

"I have done co-ops and a lot of stuff involved in them, I didn't know how to do. So to take this and go into any sort of industry, it'll help," said Dejeu.

Visser was in the same position.

"It looked interesting. I had never welded before and (the program) looked like it would give me an advantage," he said.

Had this program not been available, Dejeu said he would have just tried to go directly into the industry after his undergraduate degree, whereas Visser would have looked at night school classes to gain the extra skills.

Fortunately for them, and their fellow classmates who also attended the announcement, their industry is one of the few that are picking up post-recession, said Makaran. "That sector's gone ahead." But the industry is different, as there's more of a focus on small- to medium-sized companies and a need for a shorter learning curve. "This program jump-starts (students') education."

It's also a way to bring business to London and retain graduates, said Mayor Joe Fontana, who was on hand at the announcement to congratulate the schools on their new partnership. "To keep students here, I have to bring opportunities here," he explained, adding that by having such a skilled workforce, he can appeal to more outside businesses to make a home in London.

"I want to make sure (students) can stay here. Stay here, make a lot of money and pay taxes," he joked.