Supporting Students in WIL: Managing Cultural Differences in Canadian Organizations Workshop

by Lionel Laroche, Multicultural Business Solutions

*The first 80 registrants will be assigned to the main room, with the remaining accommodated in an alternative room with a live stream of the workshop.

Manitoba, Winnipeg, and RRC Polytech is made up of a diverse community with unique backgrounds. Part of this rich tapestry are students that have grown up in different countries and cultures who have been taught to think and act in ways that are different from the education and professional systems in Canada. 

When they join Canadian organizations, these differences are a source of both challenges and opportunities. In many cases, the challenges come first; they are the result of misunderstanding and lead to frustration and rework. When they are recognized, understood and respected, the same differences become the source of growth for everyone involved at the individual level and of development for the organization.

By combining effective diagrams, insightful anecdotes and experiential exercises, this workshop helps participants realize that cultural differences go much deeper than they realized and impact many everyday interactions in the workplace. It also provides concrete, practical suggestions on how to effectively and appropriately interact with diverse cultural backgrounds so that organizations can get the benefits of diversity by rethinking some of the things they do.

Lionel Laroche, Ph.D., P.Eng. Over the past 25 years, Lionel has provided cross-cultural training and coaching services to over 200,000 people in 20+ countries. Lionel specializes in helping professionals and organizations identify the impact of cultural differences in their work and operations so that they can overcome the challenges that usually come with these differences and turn them into opportunities for growth and development. Lionel works with a wide range of clients in many sectors – from finance to manufacturing, from oil & gas to education. He has presented at over 200 conferences and has written three books on the topic. Born in France, he holds a Diplôme d’Ingénieur Polytechnicien de l’Ecole Polytechnique de Paris and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

Accessibility for Work-Integrated Learning

Presented by RRC Polytech Student Accessibility Services and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

RRC Polytech is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). RRC Polytech’s Student Accessibility Services and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services play a key role in this commitment by working in partnership with College programs, departments and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) employers to ensure all students have equal opportunities for success. In this session you will learn about various accommodations for WIL placements and how you can work collaboratively with the College to ensure access to an inclusive educational experience for Deaf students and students with disabilities in workplace learning.

Jill Patterson, BA, ASL-English Interpreter Dip, is the manager of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at RRC Polytech. Jill is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA), provides leadership to her team, coordination, and support to advance the College’s duty to accommodate and is an advocate to those she serves in the Winnipeg Deaf community. She has over 24 years’ of experience in higher education, assisting Deaf and Hard of Hearing students transitioning to post-secondary, determining accommodations, arranging interpreting and transcription services for students and the College community and providing consultation on accessibility requirements at the College. Prior to this role, Jill worked as an ASL-English interpreter at Dawson College and McGill University in Montreal as well as the University of Manitoba.

Lori Walkow is the manager of Student Accessibility Services at RRC Polytech.  With a M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Lori has dedicated her career to working with youth and adults with disabilities.  She has almost 20 years’ experience working in Accessibility Services in higher education developing accommodation plans for students with disabilities and leading and supporting Accessibility Services teams.  Prior to her employment at RRC Polytech, Lori worked as a Learning Specialist at Douglas College as well as an Instructor where she developed and taught a career exploration/work readiness program for students with disabilities.  Lori is passionate about removing barriers for post-secondary students with disabilities and is a strong proponent of Universal and Inclusive Design for Learning to enhance access for all students.  

The Autism Advantage: supporting students in WIL

Presented by Anne Cresta, CEO – Level IT Up

Session Description: The Autistic Advantage: Autism in the Workplace, how employers can work with their present and future employees who identify as autistic to optimize the work environment and benefit from the “autistic advantage.”  

Anne Kresta has over 30 years of both personal and professional experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum, especially those who present with an autistic profile similar to what was previously known as Asperger Syndrome.  In addition to heading up Level It Up, a non-profit that supports and promotes greater employment of skilled autistic adults in STEAM, She has experience working with systems and services that support children, youth and adults with disabilities in Manitoba through her past work as Project Manager at Community Living Manitoba, service on the board of Asperger Manitoba Inc., and Project Co-ordinator role on the Building Independence Project with St.Amant.  

Maximizing Your Talent Pipeline Through Work-Integrated Learning Partnerships

Hosted by Brian Rochat, RRC Polytech WIL Coordinator

Session Description: Many organizations now recognize the value of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiatives, such as co-op programs, as a way to gain an edge in hiring top talent. These programs benefit employers, students, and academic institutions by offering mentorship, engagement, and improved learning outcomes. In this panel, a co-op employer, a WIL alumni, and a WIL Coordinator will discuss how WIL initiatives support recruitment, career pathways, and the development of a future-ready workforce. You’ll hear from business leaders on why they participate in co-op programs and partner with RRC Polytech to recruit students, support an engaged workforce, and help students build the confidence and skills required for successful careers. The program will also cover government support for student and internship hiring, as well as how WIL recruitment can help businesses fill both short-term and long-term job openings.

Panelists

Georgette Rochon, RRC Polytech Work-Integrated Learning Coordinator

Georgette Rochon is a graduate of Red River College Polytechnics Hotel & Restaurant Management Program. After working for over 15 years in different leadership roles in the hospitality industry, Georgette transitioned into post-secondary education as an instructor. During this time, she found her calling in working with students individually as they progress their careers through Work Integrated Learning. Since joining RRCP in 2019, Georgette has worked with different programs as a Work Integrated Learning Coordinator. Her experience with the Community Services programs and the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts programs has allowed her to approach each student and employer partner with a holistic lens that encourages success for each stakeholder involved in WIL. Georgette is part of RRCP’s Diversity Champions and is pursuing further studies in Sociology.

Criz Delacruz, Bison Transport

With over 15 years of customer service experience and 10 years in management, Crizelle joined Bison Transport in October of 2021 as the Carrier Experience Manager. She has a BA in Psychology through the University of Winnipeg and most recently received a certification in Human Management through Red River College. In addition to working with partner carriers in Logistics, Crizelle has also worked towards the constant improvement and development of Bison’s New Grad Program, inviting New Graduates into the business, and partnering with them on the development of their career. She is passionate about the growth and development of her team members that lend to sustainable and high-impact performance.

Ricel Gelera, Sales Coordinator – Alt Hotel

Ricel graduated from RRC Polytech in 2017 and works as a Sales Coordinator at Alt Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From being an intern to a full-time employee, I was able to find a great space to work, thanks to RRC Polytech!

Using Career Bridge to engage students in Work Integrated Learning

Hosted by Jennifer Gaulin and Angeline Boekweit, Work Integrated Learning and Career Services

Workshop Description: Career Bridge is RRC Polytech’s new co-op and career portal for students and alumni! Join us to learn about features of this new platform, including promoting opportunities to specific WIL programs and scheduling interviews with candidates. We will also be sharing suggestions on what and when to post to attract the right students for your organization. 

Angeline Boekweit, Manager of Work Integrated Learning at RRC Polytech.  Angeline has worked in Work Integrated Learning at RRC Polytech since 2014, beginning in the role of co-op coordinator moving to management of the new WIL team in September 2022. Angeline evolved her passion for teaching and learning as a high school teacher and adult instructor into managing a team of passionate and dedicated WIL coordinators. Developing the WIL team further to ensure partnerships with your organization are successful while ensuring WIL students have a quality learning experiences while applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom to a real work setting within the workplace.   

How Employers and Students Can Benefit from WIL

Hosted by Ralph Dueck and Shane Grusko, Applied Computer Education

Session Description: Red River College Polytechnic is In Front of What’s Ahead. At RRC Polytech we blend deep, knowledge-based learning with applied, hands-on experience, through Work Integrated Learning. WIL formally integrates a student’s academic studies with quality experiences within a workplace or practice setting. WIL is more than a co-op, join us for this session and you will learn more about the WIL options we offer. You will also hear directly from both organizations and students on their experiences with WIL and the benefits they have received from their participation in the program. Whether a long-time WIL provider or thinking of becoming one, this session will provide greater insight into WIL partnerships.

Safe Spaces Cultural Competency Training

Presented by Denise Tardiff, University of Manitoba

Session Description: Safe Spaces Cultural Competency Training is a learning program rooted in Indigenous pedagogies that not only raises awareness of simplicity bias and Indigenous context for Canadian employers, but that leads to transformative behavioural change. The primary goal of this program is to enable employers to create culturally safe workplaces for all of their employees, with a focus on IBPOC and other marginalized employees. In this presentation, Denise Tardiff will provide an overview of the principles of cultural competency and how to move towards it as an organization.

Denise Tardiff is a Franco-Métis woman from the Red River Valley who is deeply invested in promoting inclusivity, diversity, and cross-cultural understanding as the means of building a vibrant, prosperous Manitoban landscape.

In the classroom, Denise uses her lived experience to address the impact of intergenerational trauma on soft skill development and to equip Indigenous students/employees with practical tools to navigate the North American business world. In tandem with this training, she works with Manitoba’s business community to create safe and welcoming workplace cultures by moving beyond cultural awareness to cultural competency.

Denise is passionate about working with industry partners in a spirit of reconciliation, imparting the importance of understanding how the historical context of colonial and assimilationist policies and attitudes is directly related to contemporary barriers and the current Canadian climate of Indigenous-industry labour relations.

This provides employers with the knowledge required to implement initiatives that truly create substantive equality for Indigenous students/employees whilst meeting the organization’s strategic engagement, recruitment, and retention goals.

A highly effective and dynamic speaker/facilitator, Denise has had the opportunity to be the keynote speaker to crowds of up to 1000 people at numerous conferences across Canada and the US and excels at delivering workshops and group training sessions about difficult topics with sensitivity, compassion, and humour.