Charles Sturt University (CSU) will offer an innovative engineering program from 2016 that combines undergraduate and postgraduate study with industry experience.

Foundation Professor of Engineering at CSU Professor Euan Lindsay said the five and a half year Bachelor of Technology and Master of Engineering (Civil Systems) would be delivered mostly online, while students undertook four one-year paid industry placements.

"We want to produce a new type of engineer," he said.

"We want students from all walks of life, because we believe there is strength in diversity and that it provides the opportunity to learn from each other.

"We seek students who have strengths in the classic engineering fields of study, but who can also communicate effectively with non-engineers, and who can bring their passion for the field to life."

Students will spend the first 18 months of the program studying on campus in purpose built, state of the art facilities at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, and then undertake four one-year paid industry placements while completing their studies online.

Professor Lindsay said the structure would provide industry experience and networking opportunities, and a head-start towards Chartered Professional Engineer status.

"We're developing this program in collaboration with industry and education experts from around the world," he said.

"This will be the only engineering program in Australia that is part of a Faculty of Business, which allows us to build students' skills in communication, finance and management, along with technical engineering expertise.

"We're aiming to produce highly-skilled, entrepreneurial engineers who are equipped to step straight into industry or start their own businesses – we want to produce engineers who can change the world."

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said the program would benefit the University's communities, as well as prospective students.

"Communities will benefit from having skilled , experienced professionals that contribute to their local economy," he said.

"Educating engineers in the regions creates a workforce that is better able to be a part of regional communities, and to create future opportunities for those communities."

The NSW Government's plans to invest $6 billion in regional infrastructure will result in a need for more trained engineers and technicians in the regions to sustainably maintain this investment.

Charles Sturt University is of the view that a regionally-based workforce, similar to that required to maintain the existing electrical power infrastructure, will be necessary for the sustainable maintenance of the government's new infrastructure investment.