Sandvik Coromant, NAIT renew partnership

(From left) Associate Chair of the machinist programs at NAIT Eric Beyer; Sandvik Coromant Regional Sales Manager Jim Cordoviz; Sandvik Coromant Channel Marketing Manager for the Americas Alex Durkovics; and Sandvik Coromant Canada General Manager Magalie Jackson meet at the NAIT Sandvik Coromant Centre for Machinist Technology. Sandvik Coromant

Sandvik Coromant, Mississauga, Ont., and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton, recently celebrated their 15-year partnership and extended it through 2025.

“Together, Sandvik Coromant and NAIT have always provided students with a healthy and fair competitive environment to help them grow in every facet of life for almost 15 years,” said Magalie Jackson, Canada general manager for Sandvik Coromant. “As the most recognized school in Western Canada, we are so proud to partner with them. We have given equal opportunities to all our students so that they realize their true potential and get ready to face the outer world once they complete their studies. And we are so pleased to see the recipients of these awards performing and excelling in their respective areas of interest year after year.”

The partnership was officially signed and agreed upon before an awards ceremony hosted by Sandvik Coromant and NAIT in Edmonton in October.

“Sandvik Coromant’s ongoing commitment to NAIT goes above and beyond,” said Matthew Lindberg, dean of the NAIT School of Skilled Trades. “Not only is Sandvik Coromant a trusted industry partner, they support NAIT’s vision through their support of our students. Because of the contributions of Sandvik Coromant, together we can provide an exceptional learning experience for students and advance our goal to be a leading polytechnic.”

The three-year extension includes gifts-in-kind for equipment and digital machining applications, as well as a scholarship program. A total of 12 scholarships are available to students each year. Also, 11 awards per year are available to first- through fourth-year students, which are awarded based on academic achievement. The 12th award is the Sandvik Coromant Leadership award, which is granted to the top student who demonstrates initiative, creativity, leadership with their fellow students, enthusiasm, and academic achievement.

“Education has always been at the forefront of Sandvik Coromant, whether with the customer, with our partners, and even in the academic space, in order to develop the future of manufacturing,” said Alex Durkovics, Sandvik Coromant channel marketing manager for the Americas. “We're proud to have a positive influence in Western Canada through our long-term and continued partnership with NAIT, empowering students with the tools, knowledge, and passion for a positive impact on the future of industry.”

As part of the partnership, the NAIT Sandvik Coromant Centre for Machinist Technology is available for use by all machinist programs for hands-on training, machine time, and coursework. The facility has four CNC machinist labs, a metrology lab, and a centralized tool crib, as well as smart classrooms, computer labs, and office space for both instructors and support staff.

“We are so grateful to Sandvik Coromant for their generosity in providing equipment and educational resources for both the students and staff,” said Vance Monaghan, the 2022 recipient of the third-year academic achievement award. “It lifts a huge burden, knowing that we no longer need to be fixated on the cost of tooling. Because of your gifts, we can take creative risks and grow our skills further than what we could imagine possible. Your dedication to and sponsorship of us, the students, has incentivized many people I know to join skilled trades, or at least further appreciate the dedication and skills tradespeople bring that keep our world turning.”