You’re invited! In partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, we’re excited to offer a virtual ‘Office Hour’ to RRC Polytech alumni, students, and staff on decoding Canada’s current economic landscape so you can make informed career and life decisions. This free virtual event will take place on Thursday, August 27 at 1:00 p.m. CT.

Understanding what’s really happening in Canada’s economy isn’t just for economists. It’s essential for anyone job hunting, house hunting, planning their next career move, or living in Canada.

Between a shifting job market and ongoing questions about housing affordability, it can be hard to know what the headlines actually mean for you. Is hiring picking up or slowing down heading into the fall? What’s really driving housing and rental costs? And how should these trends factor into your own plans?

We are excited to invite you to an interactive Office Hour: Decoding Canada’s Economy: Jobs, Housing, & Insights, featuring Claire Fan, Senior Economist at RBC.

In this dynamic session, we’ll be covering:

• Overall Canadian Economy Insights: A broader look at the macroeconomic picture; inflation, interest rates, and growth.
• Housing & Rent Insights: An honest look at affordability, demand, and rental trends shaping the housing market today.
• Labour Market Trends: What’s currently happening in Canada’s job market, from hiring activity to shifting in-demand sectors.
• Fall Job Market Forecast: What the data suggests we can expect for hiring as we head into the fall.
• Ask the Expert: A live Q&A where you can bring your own questions about the economy directly to an RBC economist.

Claire Fan is a Senior Economist at RBC, which she joined in 2019 after completing her Master’s degree in Financial Economics from Western University and a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree from the University of Toronto Scarborough. In her role, she focuses on macroeconomic analysis for Canada and the United States, covering growth and inflation projections, labour market and demographic trends, and related monetary policy discussions.

Whether you’re just starting out, looking for new opportunities, or shifting your career, RRC Polytech alumni at any stage of their career journeys are warmly invited to attend this interactive Office Hour.

Register now for this free webinar on Thursday, August 27 at 1 p.m. CT.

Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson (photo by Sarah Annand).

If the hit series The Bear has taught us anything, it’s that earning a Michelin Star is one of the highest honours a chef can receive. It takes grit, creativity, skill, and a deep passion for the craft. Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson has mastered that secret sauce.

Michelin Star Chef. Partner of one of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants: Published on Main – listed as #17 on The World’s 50 Best list. These are just two of the accolades that Stieffenhofer-Brandson has on his resume. He’s humble about these accomplishments. But before he was an award-winning chef, he was an ambitious teenager from Winnipeg’s North End, figuring out what he wanted to do next

“Nearing the end of my high school time, my parents said, ‘if you want to cook for real and take this seriously, you should go to school,’” said Stieffenhofer-Brandson, a 2008 alum of the Culinary Arts program at RRC Polytech. That advice led him to the two-year program at RRC Polytech, a decision that would open the door for a work placement in Germany and eventually his future culinary career in Vancouver.

While his upbringing in a family that prioritized home-cooked meals and fresh produce from their Sperling, Manitoba farm instilled a deep appreciation for ingredients, he says his time at RRC Polytech put him in the right direction to pursue a successful career as a chef.

At 14, he had his first exposure to working in a kitchen environment as a dishwasher at The Old Spaghetti Factory. He moved up the ladder, eventually becoming an assistant kitchen manager, but the true value of that time was the environment itself and learning to understand the fast-paced demands of a kitchen. Stieffenhofer-Brandson truly believes that early experience gave him an edge when he enrolled in RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts program.

“I kind of barreled through the first year of culinary because I was like, ‘I know how to do this,'” Stieffenhofer-Brandson recalled. “But then I had to slow down and start paying attention because there was so much product, time, and resources available to you and I knew I couldn’t waste it.”

His time in the Culinary Arts program taught him foundational skills he still uses today. He credits instructors like Tim Appleton, who stressed the importance of professionalism, standards, and the discipline required to succeed, and Don Pattie, who shared his skills and knowledge of contemporary and modernist cooking techniques.

“So many of the instructors were instrumental in shaping the direction I went in,” Stieffenhofer-Brandson said. “It really set the foundation of being better at learning. The lessons helped me to understand what I want to extract from whatever experience I’m having both in school and in every kitchen I’ve worked in since.”

All RRC Polytech alumni are warmly invited to a phenomenal culinary experience in support of RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality students at Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar on Thursday, June 4.

This year’s theme is La Dolce Vita, a memorable evening celebrating outstanding Italian wine and food pairings, while socializing on Hy’s beautiful patio at the iconic intersection of Portage and Main in downtown Winnipeg. Enjoy a curated tasting of premium selections from Tuscany’s world-renowned Castello Banfi, complemented by Chef’s decadent Italian-inspired hors d’oeuvres. This annual patio party celebrates the future of culinary and hospitality excellence here in Manitoba and supports the Hy’s – John Aisenstat Memorial Award, which is dedicated to assisting graduating students from RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs.

By purchasing a $125 ticket, you’ll make a meaningful impact on the next generation of culinary and hospitality talent and receive a $50 tax receipt. Your entire contribution will go directly to the John Aisenstat Memorial Fund at RRC Polytech. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support a great cause and have a fantastic time. Purchase your tickets now and be part of this memorable evening!

Join professionals from across the province for a day of inspiration, education, and empowerment at Hustle + Charm’s Roundtable Summit on Friday, May 29. Alumni looking for real connections, real talk, and real growth in business and leadership are warmly invited to attend.

Owned and operated by 2013 Creative Communications graduate Charmaine Jennings, Hustle + Charm is a community of women and non-binary professionals in business across Winnipeg and surrounding areas.

The Roundtable Summit, now in its third year, is an experience designed for those who:

• feel stuck or ready for their next level;
• want real conversations (not surface-level networking);
• are looking for practical strategies they can actually use;
• and value being in a room of ambitious, supportive women.

Gather with fellow RRC Polytech alumni, including speakers Andrea Katz (Business Administration, 2002) and Sarah Goethals (Business Administration, 2013), to engage in thought-provoking roundtable discussions led by inspiring local women who have created their own blueprints for career success. At the summit, you’ll learn about marketing strategies, gain financial literacy tips and tools, and leave confident that you can thrive in today’s ever-evolving world of business.

This full-day event is taking place at Pineridge Hollow, a women-owned Manitoba gem located just outside Winnipeg (67086 Heatherdale Road 25E, West Pine Ridge, MB R5N 0G9).

You won’t want to miss out on this interactive experience – register now to claim your spot at the table.

RRC Polytech alumni are invited to cheer on the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Friday, May 22 as they face the Niagara River Lions at Canada Life Centre.

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are Winnipeg’s own professional basketball team, proud members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Founded in 2023, the Sea Bears bring big-time hoops energy to the Canada Life Centre every summer, backed by some of the most passionate fans in the country.

Inspired by Manitoba’s iconic polar bear, the team’s name represents strength, pride, and a true northern spirit, both on and off the court. Join your fellow alumni on May 22 to cheer on the team!

Special Discount for RRC Polytech Alumni

RRC Polytech alumni receive a 15% discount on tickets purchased for the May 22nd game. Purchase tickets for May 22 on Ticketmaster to redeem the discount >

Can’t make it on May 22? No problem. Alumni receive 10% off games for the rest of the regular season. Purchase regular season tickets at 10% off here >

It’s a familiar story: student becomes graduate, graduate becomes industry professional, industry professional comes back to teach. At least, it’s a familiar story at RRC Polytech – in fact, more than 900 current staff are RRC Polytech graduates.

And there’s no mystery why alumni make the career transition from industry to classroom: as students, they loved learning from instructors with real-world experience; after working in industry and gaining expertise, they want to pay it forward by teaching the next generation of graduates. Talk about coming full circle!

From Industry to Classroom: Become a Nursing Instructor

Nursing alumni are warmly encouraged to attend RRC Polytech’s Industry to Classroom event on May 19 to discover the rewards and impact of teaching the next generation of nurses at RRC Polytech.

Visit the state-of-the-art Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre (the Simulation Centre) located at the Notre Dame Campus to learn more about the power of combining your professional nursing career with teaching. Discover the flexibility, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to shape the future workforce.

The event features a panel discussion where you’ll hear directly from alumni, staff, and students, tour of the Simulation Centre, light refreshments, and the opportunity to connect directly with the Dean, Associate Deans, Chairs, and Instructors who have combined their professional nursing career with teaching.

RRC Polytech nursing alumni have invaluable expertise and experience that can help shape the future of health care. If you have considered teaching as part of your career journey (or are simply curious about how that might look), please join us!

Alumni curious about exploring academic programs transitioning from the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) to RRC Polytech are invited to join us at the South Winnipeg Campus Info Night on Thursday, May 7 from 4 – 7 p.m., jointly hosted by RRC Polytech and MITT.

Following a collaborative review by RRC Polytech and MITT, it has been confirmed that a number of MITT programs will continue to be offered by RRC Polytech, including unique offerings and aligned programs that sustain training capacity.

At Info Night, you can discover all 16 programs offered at the South Winnipeg Campus (130 Henlow Bay), including Pharmacy Technician, Cybersecurity, Welding, and Hairstyling. Visit program spaces, engage with staff and instructors at information booths, attend an information session, and talk to advisors about admission requirements.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, May 7
• Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Location: 130 Henlow Bay
• Parking: Complimentary parking is available on campus

Alumni are warmly invited to attend! Please share this information with a friend or family member who may also be interested. We hope to see you there.

Learn more about the South Winnipeg Campus programs, as well as other transitioning programs that will be offered across RRC Polytech campuses >

RRC Polytech’s Communications and Public Relations team was named Manitoba’s Communicators of the Year in two categories in 2025.

Alumni are warmly invited to join the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) – Manitoba Chapter for an evening celebrating excellence in communications at the Manitoba Communicator of the Year (MCOY) Awards on April 29, 2026.

Enjoy networking with colleagues from across Manitoba’s communications community, an engaging panel discussion with industry experts, and award presentations at the Qualico Family Centre at Assiniboine Park.

The annual MCOY Awards recognize individuals and teams whose work demonstrates leadership, creativity, and impact in the communications profession. Bringing together professionals from across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to celebrate achievement, reconnect with colleagues, and engage in thoughtful discussion about the evolving role of communication management, you won’t want to miss this event.

Event Details

📅 Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Qualico Family Centre, Assiniboine Park
🎟️ Tickets: $55 (members), $65 (non-members), $35 (students)

Panel Discussion

AI, Public Trust, and the Future of Communication Management in Manitoba

Two powerhouse RRC Polytech graduates, Rose Regier (Creative Communications, 2015) and Liz Cron (Creative Communications, 2013) – both at Blueprint Inc., – will join fellow panelist Matt Dirks, Managing Partner at Neralake, and moderator Mary Agnes Welch, Principal at Probe Research, for a scintillating panel discussion exploring how AI is transforming the communications landscape in Manitoba and beyond.

Join RRC Polytech and the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE) for an exciting networking event on Monday, May 4 as industry veterans explore how evolving technologies, shifting roles, and emerging opportunities are reshaping media technology careers and what skills matter most for the future.

The WABE Monday Media Meetup is a great opportunity for anyone interested in media, broadcast engineering, production, and communications to connect directly with professionals working across news, television, radio, film, live production, and digital media.

The evening will kick off with a casual meet and greet, followed by an engaging panel discussion on how broadcast engineering and media technology jobs are being rewritten. Panelists will share how their careers are evolving, how technology (including AI) is changing their work, and where they see new opportunities emerging in media today.

Event Details

• Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
• Time: 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Location: CGA Manitoba Room, The Roblin Centre, RRC Polytech’s Exchange District Campus (P107, 160 Princess Street, Winnipeg)
• Parking: Third-party parking lots are conveniently located around the Exchange District Campus. Street parking is also available on many of the surrounding streets and is free after 5:30 p.m.

A valuable chance to ask questions, build connections, and gain insight into real career paths in a rapidly changing industry, you won’t want to miss this event. Bring a friend and we hope to see you there!

You’re invited! In partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, we’re excited to offer a virtual ‘Office Hour’ to RRC Polytech alumni, students, and staff on how to ace the interview process and go from job applicant to successful hire. This free virtual event will take place on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. CT.

Turn your job interview into a job offer thanks to practical tips for success with a career expert. For newcomers and international students, the Canadian interview requires a blend of digital fluency and bold self-advocacy. Join Tazrian Alam, Director of Enterprise Risk at RBC, for an interactive Office Hour on mastering the modern interview.

From technical Zoom setups to projecting authority in an in person interview, you will learn how to transition from just another candidate to a top-tier professional. Tazrian will share her 10-year journey as an immigrant rising through the ranks at RBC, giving you the tools to command any room – physical or virtual – and land your dream role.

In this dynamic session, you’ll:

• Explore the challenges and opportunities in today’s job interview landscape through the lived experience of someone who’s been there
• Discover strategies that boost confidence so you can walk into any interview in any format ready to ask and answer questions like a pro
• Gain valuable tips and tools for shifting from job applicant to successful hire

Whether you’re just starting out, looking for new opportunities, or shifting your career, RRC Polytech alumni at any stage of their career journeys are warmly invited to attend this dynamic talk.

Register now for this free webinar on Thursday, April 23 at 1 p.m. CT.