Haas Automation Europe opens four new HTECs in Russia

The centres were launched in December 2009, with the collaboration of the Russian Haas Factory Outlet (HFO), a division of Abamet. Haas and Abamet have now helped to establish 12 HTECs in Russia, reflecting their commitment in the region to developing the next generation of machine tool engineers. "The HTEC programme makes it possible for our school to work with the most modern metal cutting technologies, such as those from Haas, Renishaw, KELLER, Sandvik Coromant and Air Turbine Tools," says college director Victor Andreev. Haas launched HTEC in 2007 to counter what it regards as a threat to the continent's sustainable economic development: a shortage of talented and motivated young people entering the precision engineering industry, with CNC machining skills. The HTEC initiative is a partnership between European educational establishments, Haas Automation Europe, its distributor-owned HFOs (Haas Factory Outlets) and an alliance of CNC technology partners Currently, the HTEC Industry Partner network comprises KELLER, MasterCam (UK agent 4D Engineering), Esprit (UK agent Somatech), Renishaw, Sandvik Coromant, Schunk, Blaser (UK agent Jemtech), Urma (UK agent Stocdon), Chick (UK agent 1st MTA), Air Turbines (UK agent ITC), Hainbuch, and CIMCOOL. The programme provides Haas CNC machine tools to educational establishments in Europe, enabling HTEC students to become familiar with the latest CNC machining technology. This hands-on experience ensures students graduate with transferable skills and better employment opportunities. The HTEC initiative has expanded rapidly across Europe. At the end of 2009 there were 36 HTECs in 12 European countries, Haas plans to open a further 24 HTECs in Europe in 2010, bringing the total to 60 HTECs in 15 countries.