Photo Rights: Fanshawe College Website
Fanshawe College is once again welcoming prospective students to explore its St. Thomas-Elgin Regional Campus at the Spring Open House coming up Saturday, March 28th.
In doing so, myFM has teamed up with our local college to highlight some of the programs available.
We sat down with Wayne DeJong, Program Coordinator of the Mechanical Techniques – CNC program, who describes the course as a hands-on learning experience that prepares students for a variety of careers in the manufacturing sector.
The program is spreadout across 45 weeks, featuring a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, followed by an opportunity to get out into the community.
Dejong notes this provides students with a real-world experience in sectors like aerospace, automotive, design, medical, and even woodworking.
A major bonus of studying at the St. Thomas-Elgin campus notes Dejong, is the intentionally small class sizes, which allow for more personalized instruction.
Admission to the Mechanical Techniques CNC program requires a Grade 12 diploma, with math skills in trigonometry and algebra recommended. A knack for hands-on work and a mechanical mindset are also beneficial.
For those who stop by the Open House, they’ll get a firsthand look at the machines and the chance to participate in an interactive project, shares Dejong.
In terms of preparation, DeJong does suggest watching CNC milling and turning videos before visiting on Saturday to get familiar with the equipment. He also breaks down some of the expectations they have in the industry.
The next intake of students for the Mechanical Techniques CNC program will be in September 2026.
The Fanshawe College Open House runs on March 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Thomas-Elgin Regional Campus.
For more information or to register for the Open House, visit Fanshawec.ca.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
