The federal Student Work Placement Program has been a “fantastic catalyst” for university-industry collaborations and an incredible boost for students, local employers, and the regional economy, UWindsor president Robert Gordon said Friday at a campus event to discuss its successes.

“The program has provided wage subsidies for over 1,275 University of Windsor student salaries from summer 2020 through winter 2021,” Dr. Gordon said, thanking local partner employers: Magnet, Technation, Biotalent Canada, and Electricity Human Resources Canada.

The funding included 578 placements for first-year students and under-represented students: newcomers; persons with disabilities; women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and Indigenous students.

Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk told about 20 people in attendance that the subsidies provide learning opportunities so graduates are ready for the workforce.

“Work-integrated learning gives post-secondary students real-life work experience needed for real-life jobs,” he said.