June 1st, 2009
Apprenticeship registration dates have changed!
Original dates of May11, 13, 15 have been changed by Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training to the following dates:
Monday, June 15
These trades ONLY:
Automotive Service
Carpenter
Electrician
Instrument Technician
Power System Electrician
Wednesday, June 17
These trades ONLY:
Agricultural Equipment
Heavy Equipment
Machinist
Millwright
Plumber
Steamfitter/Pipefitter
Friday, June 19
These trades PLUS all previous trades:
Auto Body Technician
Baker
Boilermaker
Cabinetmaker
Communication Technician
Cook
Crane & Hoisting
Floorcovering Installer
Gasfitter
Insulator
Ironworker
Lather ISM
Motorcycle Mechanic
Outdoor Power Equip.
Painter & Decorator
Parts Technician
Power Lineman
Refrigeration
Rig Technician
Roofer
Sheet Metal Worker
Structural Steel & Plate
Welder
Posted in Admissions Info, NAIT Programs |
May 26th, 2009
Chances are, the next time you call NAIT, you’ll be talking with an agent in NAIT’s new Student Success Call Centre (SSCC).
The SSCC provides you with one point of contact to receive information on services related to areas like parking, continuing education, recruitment, the registrar’s office, cash office, and information services.
The majority of the agents in the SSCC are internal employees that bring many years of experience from various working units at NAIT.
In addition, to calling the SSCC, you can email or even chat live with an agent:
877.333.6248 (NAIT) or
780.471.6248 (NAIT)
Email: asknait@nait.ca
Posted in This n' That |
March 26th, 2009

I was watching a show on the Food Network recently, in it Chef Gordon Ramsay was talking about the need for butchers in the UK and how life and culture in places such as the various high-streets that are at the heart of everyday life in these areas would be changed if butcher shops were to leave. Part of the problem, Chef Ramsay pointed out, was that there are a lack of training facilities around the world where someone can receive a good education in this area. It got me thinking about the profession in general, and a quick Google on the subject helped me to realize just how many jobs there are in the world for good butchers, with numerous blog posts and stories about the importance of the profession.
NAIT is fortunate to have it’s own Retail Meatcutting program that provides students with an education in meatcutting concepts like sausage making, preparation and preservation of cured and smoked meats, and meat purchasing. In addition, students learn the retail side of the industry through business courses that provide education in the areas such as inventory control, marketing strategies, and product merchandising. Students in the program can also apply the education they’re getting in the program practically by marketing the items they’ve prepared through NAIT’s Retail Meatcutting store, which is open to the general public during the academic year.
Posted in NAIT Programs |
March 20th, 2009

It’s the busiest time of year for us in the Student Recruitment Office, because we have a general application deadline that is quickly approaching! A majority of NAIT full-time programs that begin this Fall 2009 will have a March 31, 2009 deadline (be sure to check the program website for your specific program, some application dates vary). Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to submit your application:
- Have you sent in an official copy of your high school transcripts? If you went to high school in Alberta, these can be obtained online through Alberta Education .
- Does the program you’re applying to require a Career Investigation Report?
- Have you reviewed the entrance requirements for the program to make sure you qualify for admission?
If you have any questions as you prepare your application for admission, contact the Student Recruitment Office at askanadvisor@nait.ca or call 780.471.8847 to book an appointment to speak with a Prospective Student Advisor. We’re here to help!
Posted in Admissions Info |
March 3rd, 2009
Some full-time programs at NAIT will require you to prepare a Career Investigation Report as part of their admission process. A good Career Investigation Report is one that effectively demonstrates the research you’ve done on your program of interest, the occupation associated with the program, and why you’d be a good fit for the program.
Even if the program you’re considering doesn’t require a Career Investigation, it’s a good process to go through to get you thinking about things like:
Posted in Admissions Info |
March 2nd, 2009


NAIT’s Graphic Sign Arts program is unique in that it’s the only detailed program of its kind in Canada for those interested in a career in the sign industry.
I recently visited the Graphic Sign Arts program, and had the chance to see students working on a client project. For the project, students were assigned a client and given a general idea of the kind of sign that the client needed. From there, the students did everything from proposing different design options to preparing estimates, to fabricating the sign itself. The day I visited, student RJ Arcand was working on a banner for his client, the NAIT Athletics department. RJ used software to design and produce the computer aided sign. In the first picture, you can see him using the plotter machine to cut out decals for the sign.
In addition to computer aided signs, students in the program also learn how to use various hand and power tools. The machine above is a panel saw that students use to cut plastics and wood for sign production. Students get to apply all of the hands-on experience they’re getting in the program into a practicum placement with companies that could include specialty sign shops, vehicle graphics shops, and screen printing shops.
Posted in NAIT Programs |
March 1st, 2009
NAIT Student Recruitment will be attending the following events in March:
March 4, 2009
10:00am
Posted in NAIT Events |
February 15th, 2009
When I’m not at work, I’m busy finishing my graduate degree at the University of Alberta. Right now, I’m taking a course on public deliberation and am involved in a really interesting project called the Edmonton Citizen Panel.
The Edmonton Citizen Panel is a pilot project between the City of
Edmonton and the University of Alberta to bring together approximately
50 Edmontonians representing diverse backgrounds to:
* Learn about the City Vision and its ten-year strategic goals.
* Consider how we invest city resources to create the city we
envision
* Offer input to help the City of Edmonton prioritize future
spending in order to meet citizen wants and needs
* Offer their unique individual experiences and insights into city
spending priorities
* Develop recommendations about what they believe Edmonton’s service
priorities should be and how we use our collective resources to achieve
the City’s vision.
City Council has agreed to seriously consider the Citizen Panel recommendations in its 2010-2011 budget planning. For those people who get up early on Saturday morning, the Citizen Panel webcast will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 10 a.m. It will then begin again at 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. The Panel will meet beginning February 27th for a total of six Saturdays throughout March and April.
http://citizenpanel.jitrjet.com/secure/live/livestream.jsp
This is an opportunity to view the plenary (large group) discussions of the Citizen Panel. Between times, the Citizen Panel will be meeting privately in small group discussion – not available for viewing. Whether or not you’re an Edmontonian, the process is a really unique way of bringing people of diverse backgrounds together in search of common ground and I’d encourage you to keep track of our progress.
Posted in Life in Edmonton |
January 7th, 2009
From February 9-12 in the evenings, over 80 free information sessions will be given that provide details about NAIT’s full-time programs. The focus will change each evening, so start planning now to come on the night that features your interests!
Monday, February 9
Business & Administration
Media Arts
Hospitality & Culinary Arts
Tuesday, February 10
Engineering Technologies & Applied Sciences
IT and Electronics
Wednesday, February 11
Building Construction & Design
Environment & Land Management
Trades-related Programs
Thursday, February 12
Animal Studies
Health Sciences
Coming to an Info Session is a great way to get in-depth information on your program of interest, have questions answered by people who work in the program, and find out how the program can benefit you in your future career.
As an added bonus, during each evening of Info Week, five 8GB iPod touch units will be raffled. Attend for your chance to win!
Posted in NAIT Events |