Haas education and training initiative gathers pace

Operated by HAE on the European mainland only, beginning mid-April 2009, the Belgium-headquarted operation says that 10 new Haas-equipped precision engineering teaching facilities will join the HTEC network - in Portugal, Sweden and Russia. "This April and May are momentous months," said Bert Maes (pictured) of Haas Automation Europe. "In stark contrast to the negative news currently making headlines in the industry press, we have good news: Haas Automation and its partners are still investing in the young engineers Europe needs for a competitive future." In the last two weeks of April, the Portugal Haas Factory Outlet (HFO) - (a division of After Sales S.A.) will preside over the opening of the first two HTECs in the country, while in Sweden, the HFO (a division of Edströms Maskin AB) will co-ordinate the first two grand openings in Scandinavia in early May. In the latter half of May, the Russia HFO (a division of Abamet Ltd) will open five HTECs, including one in the capital, Moscow. Abamet is one of Haas' longest established and best-performing HFOs and has already founded four HTECs in Russia and Belarus. In keeping with the principal of the program all the new HTECs will be closely affiliated to - and supported by - the local HFO, working in partnership with the school or college to provide young and aspiring engineering students with the best possible start to their careers. Representatives of the school or college, and government ministers and dignitaries will attend the HTEC opening events, as will journalists from the regional and national press. The new facilities are supported by HTEC partner companies; some of the best names in the precision engineering technology sector, including 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) and the latest member to join the program, Air Turbines (UK agent ITC). "By ensuring a steady supply of CNC technologists, Haas Automation Europe (HAE), its HFOs and the HTEC vendor partners are making very significant contributions to the future prosperity of European industry," said Peter Hall, HAE managing director. "It's these young apprentices who will become the manufacturers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. They will face some of the greatest technological challenges since the industrial revolution." Haas plans to open 200 HTEC's across Europe within 5 years, including 25 in 2009.