2014 President's Partnership Award Recipients

Alumni Partnership Award

Awarded to an alumnus or alumni who have advanced the reputation of SIAST and/or made a notable contribution to SIAST through a variety of means.

Award Recipients - Kerwin Boser, Curtis Brandt, Mr. Kerry Heid, Jarret Solberg

All four owners of Magna Electric Corporation are alumni of SIAST’s Electrical Engineering Technology program. These four alumni have been featured in several publications and often talk about their SIAST education and the important role that education played in their success. They have credited a good deal of their success to having access to top-level employees and believe that access begins with SIAST.

The leadership team at Magna Electric Corporation believe that the continued success of their company requires strategic hiring - find the right people for the future. Part of that strategy includes supporting SIAST in the education and skills training that results in top-notch employees. Magna Electric Corporation supports SIAST in a variety of ways including providing Co-operative Education placements, sending company representatives to SIAST classrooms to serve as guest lecturers, gifts of equipment, and support for student awards. These alumni are SIAST advocates and ambassadors. They inspire SIAST students and advance SIAST’s reputation.


Receiving the awards Kerry Heid, Owner, Magna Electric Corporation and Jarret Solberg, Owner, Magna Electric Corporation

Receiving the awards Kerry Heid, Owner, Magna Electric Corporation and Jarret Solberg, Owner, Magna Electric Corporation

Industry Partnership Award

Awarded to an industry partner that has supported SIAST’s overall mission through a variety of means and over a period of time.

Award Recipient – SaskPower

SaskPower has partnered with SIAST for more than two decades. Through participation in a number of program advisory councils, SaskPower employees, many of whom are SIAST alumni, ensure that SIAST’s program curriculums are relevant and responsive to industry needs.

SaskPower provides practicum placements, participates in the Cooperative Education program and engages SIAST students through site tours of SaskPower facilities, lunch and learn sessions on SIAST campuses, and in-class presentations.

SaskPower was the first Crown Corporation to establish a substantial student awards program with SIAST, and was one of the first organizations to support scholarships and bursaries specifically for SIAST students of Aboriginal ancestry. For many years, SaskPower has been one of few organizations to support SIAST initiatives aimed at Women in Trades and Technology.

SaskPower has provided gift-in-kind donations of equipment and provided significant financial support to SIAST, ensuring supports for student success are in place.

SaskPower has been an industry leader in ensuring that SIAST students have access to the education and skills training that will make our province grow and prosper.


Receiving the award on behalf of SaskPower, Robert Watson, President and CEO, SaskPower
Receiving the award on behalf of SaskPower, Robert Watson, President and CEO, SaskPower

Program Partnership Award

Awarded to an industry partner, organization, or individual(s), who has made a notable contribution to the development of a new or existing SIAST program

Award Recipient – Saskatchewan Mining Association

In the fall of 2012, SIAST welcomed the first students into the new Mining Engineering Technology program. The Saskatchewan Mining Association played an instrumental role in developing industry support for, and guiding curriculum development of, the SIAST Mining Engineering Technology program. Members of the Saskatchewan Mining Association provided SIAST with guidance and support throughout the development of the program, and played a key role in developing a program which addresses both the hard and soft rock mining needs of Saskatchewan. The two-year Mining Engineering Technology program was launched in the fall of 2012.

Members of the Saskatchewan Mining Association are also members of numerous SIAST program advisory councils. These programs are closely linked to the operations of the mining sector. Saskatchewan Mining Association members are involved as guest lecturers in various programs, including the Mining Engineering Technology program. The Saskatchewan Mining Association has promoted the Mining Engineering Technology program extensively on its website, in the media, and in public presentations at events such as its annual general meeting and conference. A number of member corporations of the Saskatchewan Mining Association have made gifts to the Mining Engineering Technology program to support capital needs and student awards for the program’s students.

Receiving the award on behalf of Saskatchewan Mining Association Pam Schwann, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Mining Association; Trevor Berg, President, Board of Directors, Saskatchewan Mining Association
Receiving the award on behalf of Saskatchewan Mining Association Pam Schwann, Executive Director,
Saskatchewan Mining Association; Trevor Berg, President, Board of Directors, Saskatchewan Mining Association