10.04.2007 - 03:00pm ET

(CSRwire) CALGARY, AB - October 4, 2007 - A lab in NAIT's new Centre for Instrumentation now bears Imperial Oil's name. The high-tech equipment in the lab will enhance the top-notch training students in NAIT's Instrumentation Technology Program and Instrumentation Apprenticeship Program are currently receiving.

"Imperial Oil is a forward thinking company which recognizes NAIT's role in addressing the skills shortage," says Dr. Sam Shaw, NAIT's President and CEO. "The money is going to two key areas: people and technology."

"Imperial Oil has a long history of supporting education and community initiatives," said Monica Samper, president, Imperial Oil Foundation. "That's why we're pleased to be working with NAIT to expand programs that will focus on providing greater education opportunities for skilled workers that are so critical - not just for our industry, but for the country as a whole. By helping improve access to education, we are investing in the future success of our province and country".

The lab, which is entirely enclosed by glass, includes a two-story high distillation column similar to what students will work on in oil refineries, an absorber stripper unit which is used in the gas industry, a pipeline to carry a variety of liquids and blending equipment used to make products such as gasoline.

Half of Imperial's donation will fund the lab, the other half is for Aboriginal initiatives. "NAIT has done an excellent job developing programs to encourage Aboriginal students to pursue post secondary education and when they are at NAIT, helping them succeed," says Dr. Shaw. "The Aboriginal population is one of the greatest untapped sources of skilled labour in Canada."

Imperial is one of Canada's largest corporate contributors, with the majority of its donations being directed to youth and education. Partnering with NAIT is a natural fit.

With a goal to being an active member of the community and to building a life-long learning system in Canada that ranks among the best in the world, Imperial Oil Limited has been contributing to communities across Canada for the past 126 years. Imperial Oil contributed more than $12 million to enhance the well-being of communities across Canada in 2006, building on a tradition of corporate giving that began with the company's inception in 1880. Supporting organizations where we live and work, the company emphasizes investment in education of math and sciences, environment, and civic and community programs where we have employees or business operations.

NAIT is one of the largest institutes of technology in Canada, providing education in business, advanced technologies, and skilled trades to more than 86,500 students annually at eight campuses in Alberta. Overall, the Institute offers some 250 programs and over 1,000 continuing education courses. Each year, about 4,000 graduates receive applied degrees, diplomas, and certificates and more than 2,000 apprentices complete their technical training component for journeyman certification.

NAIT is also home to Canada's first commercial fuel cell, has the largest diploma-granting business school in western Canada, offers Alberta's only Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management and has one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the world - the NAIT HP Centre for Information and Communications Technology.