Browse ... Industry Sectors
Our applied research solutions are industry driven, and move at the speed of business, with our partners holding the intellectual property. We are focused on supporting the societal and economic benefits of these seven major sectors of industry. The continued sustainability, growth and diversification of these major economic sectors is essential, as is the foundation they provide for new fields of economic activity and competitive advantage for our province and its industries.
Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development
Energy is the largest subsector of Canada’s economy and Alberta is central to the nation’s opportunity for providing long-term, reliable, and environmentally managed sources of energy for the global marketplace.
Alberta is home to some of the largest reserves of hydrocarbons and renewable resources in the world. The competitive cost for these resources as well as the technical expertise, innovative mindset, environmental awareness, and rapid scale-up potential, creates a climate for investments in the decarbonization of industrial processes that meet or exceed international climate change standards.
NAIT supports these vital drivers of Canada’s economy through skills development and applied research services that are essential to the energy industry. We are committed to delivering first-class solutions that strengthen the provincial and national economy yet provide opportunities for global access to resource intelligence. NAIT is a partner in energy and environmental sustainability, and we welcome the opportunity to challenge the way we see energy and value-add development today and identify new possibilities for the future.
Contact us
Deborah Pietrusik
Phone: 780.471.8365
Email: dpietrusik@nait.ca
Ryan Leskiw
Phone: 780.378.5352
Email: rleskiw@nait.ca
Construction and Trades
Alberta's construction industry plays a key role in the provincial economy and employs a highly skilled workforce. In addition to infrastructure, commercial and residential construction, the industry works closely with Alberta’s resource sectors, providing globally unique expertise in winter construction practices, pipeline design, and oil, gas and oil sands development.
Bioeconomy
We have established a reputation for applied research excellence in Energy and Environment and emerging capabilities focused on the province’s bioeconomic and bioindustrial sectors. Areas of projected growth include bio/nanotechnological applications for Western Canada’s renewable and non-renewable resource sectors, value-added products from forestry waste streams and epicurean innovation and novel agri-food opportunities.
Alberta’s bioeconomy is directly linked to the agriculture and forestry sector , providing a significant source of raw materials, including agriculture and forestry fibre. Our projects focus on the production of food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy from renewable, biological resources.
Digital Economy
This sector is based on digital computing technologies including platform-based business models, network effects and economies of scale. We seek to develop and expand strategies for innovations in platform and content. Develop prototypes, pilots, and proof-of-concept elements to improve product and market fit and develop a collaborative, cross-disciplinary community of practitioners across different media sectors.
Health and Care
Small- and mid-sized health-technology businesses want to develop and move knowledge from research to market more effectively.
NAIT’s programs offer industry partners expertise in areas like diagnostic imaging, laboratory technology, emergency medical technician training and dental health. Our state of the art simulation facilities enable companies to test their products in a clinical setting in silico and in live simulations. Other areas of focus include information and communications technology-focused rehabilitation technologies, health informatics, improved health and safety in the trades, and healthcare delivery operational efficiency.
Building on five years of collaboration on rehabilitation technologies, serious-gaming applications and assistive device design, NAIT and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital have formalized a multi-year Strategic Applied Collaborative Research Agreement associated with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation and Technology Hub.
A partnership with CAE Healthcare has made NAIT's Simulation Centre unique in Canada
Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing innovations like 3D printing and remote applications are revolutionizing the industry. The integration of new technologies with traditional fabrication methods is changing both how manufacturing is done and what is being manufactured. NAIT’s applied research focus on advanced manufacturing builds on multidisciplinary expertise within the School of Skilled Trades, the School of Applied Sciences and Technology and our Campus Alberta partners.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Alberta’s increasingly competitive business environment means industry players need to continuously hone their entrepreneurial skills. On both the provincial and national levels, businesses face increased globalization, fast-paced technological change and limited financial and managerial resources.