NAIT celebrates opening of Heavy Equipment Technology Building

Published on April 22, 2016

The new Heavy Equipment Technology (HET) Building is helping NAIT meet Alberta’s need for skilled heavy equipment technicians.

The 30,000-square-foot building, along with renovations to the A Wing at Main Campus, will enable NAIT to expand heavy equipment education by as much as 60 per cent. The facility was officially opened today.

Heavy equipment technicians maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment. Demand for these technicians comes from the construction, mining, forestry, agriculture, material handling, landscaping and transportation industries.

NAIT acquired the building – formerly a hanger – from the Government of Alberta. The first classes in the building began in September.

QUICK FACTS

  • Prior to expanding, the HET programs were running at full capacity, with approximately 1,000 apprentices and 50 Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology diploma students.
  • This year, approximately 1,400 apprentices and diploma students will go through the program, a 40 per cent increase. There is space to increase this further.
  • The HET Building can accommodate up to 72 students per intake, in both the third and fourth period of the Heavy Equipment Technician program.
  • Elsewhere, renovations to the A Wing at Main Campus allow NAIT to accommodate additional first and second-period students.

QUOTES

Dr. Glenn Feltham, NAIT President and CEO
“This facility allows NAIT to meet Alberta’s critical needs in heavy equipment. The labs in this new space provide students with the opportunity to learn the hands-on technical skills they require to have successful careers.”

Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education
“A highly skilled and educated workforce will be key to help lead our province towards economic recovery. This new facility at NAIT is a tremendous resource for apprentices and instructors and is helping to meet industry needs by expanding access to training for heavy equipment technicians. Congratulations on the opening of this innovative facility.”

About NAIT

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and trades. With nearly 60,000 credit and non-credit students and a 95 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT grads are essential to Alberta’s prosperity. Known for hands-on, technology-based learning, NAIT engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world. Recognized as one of Alberta’s top employers, NAIT provides outstanding returns on investment for its graduates, partners, the provincial government and the people of Alberta.


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