Congratulations to the three NAIT students who brought home medals and crushed it at @Skills_Canada this year! Madison, Orson and Josh were among the six participants representing NAIT across disciplines at the national competition in Toronto. 🥇 Madison Brooker — Sheet Metal Work 🥈 Orson Myck — Cabinetmaking 🥈 Josh Reid — IT Network Systems Administration Amazing work, everyone! We are incredibly proud of your accomplishment on the national stage. #NAIT #SkillsCanada #SkilledTrades #WomenInTrades #TechCareers #TeamAlberta

Some careers start with a goal. Others start with a toothbrush. As a child, Trinity McInnes (Dental Assisting ’25) was given one by dental students at the University of Saskatchewan who held a clinic for her neighbourhood. The gesture made an impression. Now graduating from NAIT, Trinity is paying it forward by improving access to oral health care in Indigenous communities. Through her journey, she has: • Supported patients through community-based and mobile clinics • Helped educate families on oral health and prevention • Worked toward making care more accessible in remote communities For Trinity, dental assisting isn’t just a career — it’s a way to give back. Next step: Returning to NAIT to cross the convocation stage 🎓 👉 Read her story: nait.li/4uBK1tt #NAIT #NAITGrad #Convocation #StudentSuccess #HealthcareCareers #ClassOf2026

Some grads follow one path. Others build two. For Forrest Richard (Conservation Biology ’26), that meant becoming both a conservation technologist and an author. While completing his studies at NAIT, Forrest: • Published his first novel, launching a dystopian fantasy series • Wrote more books in the series while balancing coursework • Transitioned into a new career aligned with his passion for the environment His education didn’t just prepare him for fieldwork. It shaped how he tells stories, bringing scientific knowledge into the worlds he creates. Now, he’s writing his own story by graduating and stepping into the career he's wanted for years. 👉 Read his story: nait.li/4fufUA5 #NAIT #NAITGrad #Convocation #StudentSuccess #ClassOf2026 #SkilledCareers

📢 #ProjectMilestone: Edmonton is building the next generation of skilled trades. 👷 PCL is proud to support @NAIT's Advanced Skills Centre: 📚 625K sq ft facility 👷 5.5K students annually 🧰 29 programs 🏢 DIALOG @gecarchitecture First students anticipated in Fall 2030.

Some journeys change where you go. Others change how you see the world. For Maria Trujillo (Bachelor of Technology in Management ’26), it did both. While earning her degree at NAIT, Maria travelled across eight countries, applying what she learned in sustainability management to real‑world experiences along the way. From challenging her own assumptions to learning directly from communities, her education went far beyond the classroom: • Seeing global challenges from new perspectives • Listening first to understand real needs • Persevering through time zones, travel, and uncertainty Now, she’s returning to Edmonton to cross the convocation stage, bringing not just a degree, but a global perspective that will shape her future as a consultant and an entrepreneur. 🎓 Read her story: techlifetoday.nait.ca/2026/c… #NAIT #NAITGrad #Convocation #StudentSuccess #PolytechnicEducation #ClassOf2026

You've got an upcoming graduation, and we have gowns for you. Order your package online: nait.li/3BGPE0c Then pick up at Shop at NAIT: Mon, June 8 - Wed, June 10: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m Thu, June 11: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fri, June 12: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sat, June 13: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (FINAL DAY for pickup)

After nearly 40 years working in Indigenous relations, Peter Knight wasn’t ready to retire. He was ready to start something new. At 59, he returned to school at NAIT to become a butcher, inspired in part by culture and community. Growing up in Fort Chipewyan, he saw food as something that brings people together — something to share, to teach, and to pass down. Now, as he prepares to cross the convocation stage, it’s not just about a new career. It’s about what he represents. Peter will be part of the first group of Indigenous graduates at NAIT to wear the stole. A symbol of identity, pride and the journey that brought him here. For Peter, that visibility matters. He hopes it shows others, especially young people, that it’s never too late to follow a new path. “You follow your dreams, and you can make stuff happen.” Read more: nait.li/4dUak7I

Thanks to a $500,000 contribution from the @Suncor Energy Foundation, NAIT Applied Research is expanding the Indigenous Community‑Led Atlas project to more communities, including Peavine Métis Settlement and Ermineskin Cree Nation. This funding helps NAIT and partnering Indigenous communities co-create virtual community atlases - web‑based, evolving maps that bring together traditional knowledge, historic records and new research. These atlases are helping communities better document and inform how their knowledge is shared and used now and in the future. Learn more about the Indigenous‑led community atlases: nait.li/4sKGA2t

We asked HR students to explain their program to a five-year-old… And honestly? They nailed it. If you’re the type to organize, solve problems, and keep things running smoothly—HR might be calling your name 👀 👉 Curious to learn more about the BBA Human Resources Management program at NAIT? Start your journey: nait.li/4i59x45

The “Call Legacy” jingle is echoing through NAIT, and for good reason. Legacy Heating & Cooling has made a generous $1.5M multi‑year investment supporting three essential skilled‑trades programs: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (RACM), Sheet Metal and Plumbing. This investment strengthens hands‑on learning by providing new equipment and giving students more time on real‑industry systems, on top of new student awards. Read the full story → NAIT.ca/Legacy

How do we meet #Canada’s growing demand for skilled trades, and make those careers more accessible to the next generation? Earlier this month, Matt Lindberg‑Fowlow, dean of NAIT’s School of Construction and Building Sciences, joined CBC Radio’s Alberta at Noon to talk about what’s changing in trades education. In the conversation, Matt highlights: • Growing interest in apprenticeship at NAIT • The importance of reaching students earlier • Why misconceptions about the trades are starting to fade • How sustained investment can strengthen Alberta’s workforce Read the full article for key takeaways from the broadcast. nait.li/4tZEgFG #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeship #WorkforceDevelopment #NAIT #PolytechnicEducation

It’s here: a look at NAIT’s Advanced Skills Centre (ASC), a next-generation training environment built for how Alberta works. We’re thrilled to announce that @PCLConstruction will lead construction of the project, designed by @gecarchitecture @DIALOG. The ASC will bring 29 trades and technology programs together and expand capacity to train 5,500 more learners each year—with hands-on learning, modern labs and shops, and interdisciplinary training that mirrors real job sites. Explore what’s inside (and what it unlocks for Alberta): NAIT.ca/BuildingAlberta #NAIT #AdvancedSkillsCentre #BuildingSkillsBuildingAlberta #SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment

Today, the Premier of Alberta, @ABDanielleSmith, Minister of Advanced Education, @McDougallYYC, and Minister @SearleTurton joined us to announce a $384 million provincial commitment for the construction of the Advanced Skills Centre (ASC), the next expansion of NAIT’s main campus. We are incredibly grateful to @YourAlberta for its continued support. This is a significant step forward for the ASC, a building designed to expand training capacity in response to Alberta’s growing demand for skilled trades and technology professionals. The ASC will accommodate 5,500 more learners each year, supporting the next generation of builders, makers, and leaders. Learn more follow project updates: NAIT.ca/BuildingAlberta #NAIT #AdvancedSkillsCentre #BuildingSkillsBuildingAlberta #SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment

CLRA welcomes the announcement from Minister @RajanJSaw and @trades_alberta on new funding to support Indigenous participation in the #skilledtrades. Expanding access to training helps more people enter and succeed in Alberta’s skilled trades. alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=9…

With wildfires, floods and extreme weather becoming more common, a little planning now can make a big difference later. NAIT Disaster and Emergency Management chair Jodi Manz-Henezi recommends understanding local risks, making a household plan (including pets), setting up reliable communication, and preparing a “go kit” or emergency supplies for staying put. Preparedness isn’t about fear—it’s about confidence and resilience when it matters most. 👉 Learn practical tips and steps you can take today. Read the full story on how to prepare for an emergency or disaster: techlifetoday.nait.ca/articl…

NAIT Corporate & Continuing Education is updating its enrolment system to serve you better! For a brief period during this update, registration will be unavailable. If you’d like to sign up for their newsletter, please visit: nait.li/3T5cqYC

NAIT instructor Paul Bettio is set to represent Canada on the world stage as the country’s official carpentry expert at WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai, marking the first time in over 15 years that Canada will compete in this category. Alongside Team Canada competitor Logan Peters and trainer David Jones (both from Lakeland College Canada), Bettio will help lead the charge as they take on the world’s best in one of the largest international skilled trades competitions. With more than 1,400 competitors from across the globe, WorldSkills highlights the power of hands-on learning, and we’re proud to see NAIT expertise playing a key role in Canada’s return to the global stage. See how Paul Bettio built his WorldSkills dream: nait.li/4f3tdas

Retention in the skilled trades starts long before someone considers leaving. Ashleigh Kaliszuk, an instructor in the Crane and Hoist Operator program, shared her takeaways from CONEXPO 2026, North America's largest construction conference, in an article for techlifetoday. She highlights how day‑to‑day leadership and workplace culture directly influence whether skilled trades professionals stay, grow, or walk away. She also reflects on industry conversations around accountability, respect, and the behaviours that shape job sites, reminding us that culture is more valuable when it’s demonstrated daily. Read more on techlifetoday: techlifetoday.nait.ca/articl… #SkilledTrades #WorkforceRetention #IndustryLeadership #Construction #NAIT

On May fourth, something felt different at NAIT. In the quiet corners of campus, coffee machines stopped working, doors whooshed open without anyone touching them, and near the Common Market, an Ookpik was spotted levitating a donut towards its mouth. That’s when we knew: Grog‑Ook had awakened. By day, NAIT’s beloved Ookpik mascot. By night (and apparently by space magic), a small green Jedi-in-training with very strong Force abilities. Wrapped in a tiny robe that definitely wasn’t part of the brand standards, Grog‑Ook waddled across campus protecting students, naps, and snack breaks with incredible powers. Instructors swear they felt a calming presence during finals week. Students reported mysteriously finding their pens when they’d just sworn they lost them. And whenever someone said “group project,” Grog‑Ook would sigh deeply and quietly use the Force to carry the emotional burden. Is Grog‑Ook formally trained? No. Does Grog‑Ook knock things over constantly? Yes. Is Grog‑Ook still the chosen one? Also yes. So this May 4th, whether you’re a Jedi, a Padawan, or just someone trying to make it through the semester, remember: The Force is strong at NAIT. It just happens to be about the size of an Ookpik. #MaytheFourth be with you!

Hunter and Ook hung out with staff across campus this week, whipping up #LOILTY. We're proud @EdmontonOilers fans here! #LetsGoOilers