A career in surveying can take someone to an exciting variety of job sites — from rural to urban, populated to remote.

That’s where Colin Rivard started after graduating from the Civil Engineering Technology program, specializing in Geomatics, at RRC Polytech in 2012. With an entrepreneurial background, though, there was always a desire to build something of his own.

“My dad and his dad started a small business together. I saw how they got to see the tangible efforts of what you put into owning a business. There’s a direct correlation to the harder you work, the more benefit there is. I’ve always liked that.”

In 2018, Rivard founded RivaCore Surveys and Locates as a one-person operation, and since then he’s adapted his focus to building the ideal team and overseeing a period of fast expansion.

“Starting in the field, you just get a love for surveying and being by yourself with an instrument,” said Rivard. “The biggest thing that drives me now, though, is being able to work with a team that we’ve really developed over the years.”

Just last year, RivaCore had a small team of eight — today, they’ve grown to a staff of 23, with at least five more coming on for long-term projects before the end of 2025.

RivaCore, which provides services including pipeline, construction, topographic, heavy civil surveys and beyond, hasn’t just grown in numbers — it’s grown in reputation as well. The organization has clients across multiple provinces and its reputation for inclusion as a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, as well as teamwork and community, have been at the core of their growth and success.

“I come from a soccer background,” said Rivard. “It’s a team sport, and now I’m sitting here with work and I really enjoy it because I’m with this great team where everyone has each other’s back and tries to make it the best they can.”

One of the key aspects to the company’s growth has been bringing on students new to the world of surveying. Many of these students come from RRC Polytech.

“This was actually our first year hiring a Civil Engineering Technology summer student and it’s already become a company model for us,” said Rivard.

“We had an opportunity with the Alamos Gold project in Lynn Lake where we could have multiple surveyors on site, which was the perfect chance to bring in juniors and grow our team for the next few years.”

By bringing in students, Rivard is looking to provide a work environment that can inspire them to stay on board with RivaCore and support a positive cycle of learning.

“We can pour into these students… and build a loyal, knowledgeable surveyor base. Then, we continue to develop people from within, get them into higher positions, and we know what we’re getting. The RRC Polytech program is a huge resource for that.”

One of the students who joined the team this summer was Aidan Pacey, who is entering his second year in Civil Engineering Technology. His co-op at RivaCore saw him build experience as a survey assistant across Manitoba.

“I’ve been all over,” said Pacey. “Working in Lynn Lake on the gold mine project, back to the city to do model layouts, and out to Gillam to do a job there.”

Pacey’s long-term goal is to be in construction project management and, while he was new to surveying when he started at RivaCore, he’s found the time spent to be of tremendous value.

“I’m confident in it now. There are great teachers, great colleagues here.”

“Aidan is an absolute superstar,” said Rivard. “I’ve probably heard from four different senior staff members on different occasions come to me, by themselves and say ‘Colin, make sure you don’t lose that guy.’”

Pacey’s quick learning skills have helped him get out into the field solo, a rare opportunity for someone so green in their career. A willingness to learn has been present too, which is one of the key skills that Rivard looks for when hiring students.

“We want someone who will go somewhere, enjoy what they do, and work hard at it. We are looking for that willingness to learn and develop, and help out your coworkers in any way you can.”

Rivard remembers a day where he went into the RivaCore office in Dugald to clean things out of the storage room and Aidan was the first one to come up and ask if he needed a hand.

“There’s just an absolute willingness to help out the team in any way he can.”

It’s a culture that Rivard has been driving since he started his business.

“I recently took a leadership training program and the guy leading it used an analogy that really stuck with me: before you can paint an old tractor, you have to scrape the old paint before you can put a new coat on.

It dawned on me that we’re naturally good at training and making sure our people know the way that we do things. Rather than scrape off an old coat of paint, we’d rather grab new guys, give them an opportunity and let them run with it.”

It’s why the company will keep coming back to co-op students for future projects, creating a mutually beneficial relationship with the program Rivard graduated from 13 years ago.

“We’ve had one student say that he’s learned more in the first four days of his co-op than his entire last co-op. That gets me really excited.”

Profile by John Gaudes (Creative Communications, 2012).

Work-Integrated Learning at RRC Polytech

Work-integrated learning opportunities, including co-ops like Pacey’s at RivaCore, allow students to gain practical work experience while also providing industry with enthusiastic, skilled workers. A meaningful way to give back and mentor students, many alumni are employer partners. Learn more about work-integrated learning at RRC Polytech and how to become an employer partner here.