WHEELING, W.Va.-- In response to rising demand for engineers in Northern Panhandle industry, Wheeling Jesuit University has created a new program to prepare local students to get local jobs.

Beginning in the fall of 2013, Wheeling Jesuit will offer a full, four-year degree in engineering science.

Educators said this new program was actually formed as a result of industry leaders coming to the university and asking them to ready students for careers in engineering.

“Some local industries came to us saying that they needed more engineers, that they just needed some general engineers, they were have trouble finding them, they would like to get local people," said Dr. Peter Ehni, engineering department chair.

The request has resulted in Wheeling Jesuit University rolling out a general engineering science program which will hit classrooms in the next academic year.

Accepted students with a 3.0 high school G.P.A. or better and at least a 23 ACT or 540 SAT math score will earn a $2,000 scholarship.    

The program is aiming  for 25 to 30 freshmen each academic year.

Three already plan on enrolling next fall.

Ehni tells NEWS9 companies from all over the panhandle have come to Wheeling Jesuit looking for engineers.

He said the energy exploration industry sweeping the Ohio Valley has an increased need for engineers, as do several companies from the Natrium area in southern Marshall County.

"They need general engineers, people who can solve problems for them, who can go out in the field, work in the office, but have an understanding of the science. They can train them in the specific area that they need," said Ehni.

At the classroom level, three current and three soon-to-be-hired professors will work closely with industries hiring engineers, to help mold students for the workforce.

"We're going to set up an advisory committee so that they can provide advice to us on what knowledge the students need to have, what skills do they need to have so that we can work that into the curriculum and make sure the curriculum is current," said Ehni.

Ehni says not only will the program prepare students for the job market but also graduate school.

Senior research projects presented at the university and possibly regional conferences could offer graduates even more exposure to the field.