The top 10 techlifetoday stories of 2024

Stories about the growth of NAIT and the greatness of students and grads

The results are in: 2024 at techlifetoday was all about progress and growth at NAIT. Of the 10 most-read stories published throughout the year, half were about new initiatives and the continued evolution of the polytechnic.

Rounding out the list were tales about innovative projects (with a little royalty thrown in), student success (sometimes of “Olympic” proportions), and the impact of NAIT grads (go Oilers!). Check them out below, in ascending order of popularity.

From all of us at techlifetoday, thanks for sharing your time with us in 2024. We know there’s not a lot of that to spare, so we promise to keep doing our best to make it well spent.

All the best to you in 2025!

10. NAIT grads behind the Edmonton Oilers

silouette of a hockey fan raising arms and cheering. the ice is in the background

Who helped tell the biggest sports story of 2024? Here’s a look at the NAIT grads behind the scene during the Oilers’ Stanley Cup run.


9. Retail therapy: NAIT students bring cherished store back to Glenrose

people shop at two market tables inside a building. one table is full of books in racks. the other, further away, has crocheted items, including a purple octopus

A JR Shaw School of Business capstone project restored a community hub in an Edmonton hospital. Here’s how they did it and the impact it had on staff, patients and students.


8. Modern nature: Forest Technology camp sees first major upgrade in more than 30 years

aerial shot of two cabins made from shipping containers in a forest of spruce and poplar

A gift from West Fraser made possible a long overdue renovation of a NAIT wilderness teaching facility. Here’s what it means for students.


7. NAIT Auto Body Technician apprentices restore car that carried future Queen Elizabeth II

side view of a vintage black convertible with a white top in an auto body shop

Students were entrusted by a donor with the restoration of a 1951 Lincoln used to transport then Princess Elizabeth on her tour of Canada. Here’s a look at the work.


6. Government, industry and partner funding initiatives for NAIT programs

photo of a large modern building with a glass and pale-coloured stone facade. the sky is cloudy but bright

NAIT continues to attract funding from partners such as government, industry members and donors for programs and projects. Here’s a look at 2024’s biggest announcements.


5. Provincial funding spurs planning for Advanced Skills Centre, NAIT’s largest-ever project

architectural rendering of a convention-centre style space featuring wooden structures under construction

News of the launch of the polytechnic’s next big project generated interest after the Government of Alberta committed $43 million to planning.


4. NAIT’s first all-woman culinary team takes silver at “Olympics” of cooking

six women in chef's clothes stand on a stage holding a large canadian flag. two male chefs stand on either side of them

Student cooks got a taste of success at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart, Germany, medalling in international competition. This story looks back on their historic win.


3. 10 great garden tips from NAIT experts

close-up of three ripe tomatoes still on the vine

Readers ate up this advice from instructors and grads on cooking with garden produce, better ways to grow it, landscaping ideas and more.


2. NAIT reorganizes from 4 to 7 schools

aerial shot of nait main campus with a large modern building made of stone and glass in the foreground, as well as a green space

This entry in our September “Back to School" package explained the rationale behind NAIT’s recent evolution from four schools to seven.


1. NAIT's newest programs

woman walking up a sidewalk through a green space to a large modern building with a facade of glass and pale stone

Also published to acknowledge the annual return to campus, this story excited readers keen to learn about fresh offerings at the polytechnic, including programs in cybersecurity, health-care leadership and more.

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