The industry is facing (and experiencing) a major challenge in terms of preparing the service technicians of the future for working life. A larger number of people in this professional group are now approaching retirement, and so considerable efforts are required in terms of training to fill the vacancies that are arising.
In order to meet the demands of industry for skilled, versatile people with sound professional knowledge, it is necessary to have training courses that are at the forefront from a technical perspective. With around 500–800 students participating every year in their apprenticeship programmes for maintenance technology and mechanics, NAIT is one of the largest polytechnic colleges in North America in this field. The students take part in a four-year apprenticeship programme in which they have the opportunity to work in industry at the same time as learning about operating lathes, cranes, pump repair work, hydraulics, compressor technology and machine installation (including alignment). The course focuses on teaching the basics, before gradually raising the apprentices’ knowledge level over the four years.
In order for the apprentices to be as attractive as possible to the labour market, it is important for NAIT to be able to offer training using the very latest technology within the respective areas. When it comes to alignment, this means high precision laser-based measurement tools. Easy-Laser, which is a leading manufacturer of laser-based alignment tools, alongside its Canadian dealer Benchmark PDM, has donated an advanced alignment instrument from its latest product family, Generation XT. The system, XT660, will be used in the training of service technicians and mechanics at NAIT.
John-Paul Lambert of Benchmark PDM demonstrates the Easy-Laser® XT660.
The system was handed over to Jim Clarkson at NAIT by Mikael Terner (Easy-Laser AB) and John-Paul Lambert (Benchmark PDM) in January 2018. John-Paul Lambert conducted a short training session regarding the system for instructors and students at NAIT. The training was filmed by NAIT’s Film School and will be used internally.
“We are extremely proud to work with a college like NAIT and to ensure that they can offer their students absolutely world-class training using the latest technology in the industry,” says Mikael Terner from Easy-Laser AB.
“The Easy-Laser alignment equipment donated by our industry partners helps us support our students with cutting-edge technology. As a post-secondary, funding is limited, and we rely on our industry partners to keep us relevant and up-to-date with the latest developments. These types of donations ensure that we are training our students on modern equipment used by industry and allows us to better prepare our graduates to enter the workforce with the skills that make them highly successful and sought-after,” says Malcolm Haines, Dean School of Skilled Trades.
Easy-Laser AB has a development programme aimed at helping technical colleges and courses to access the very latest technology. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact Mikael Terner:
mikael.terner@easylaser.com
+46 766 35 10 51
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. Read more
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