Innovation Centre – Coming Soon to the Exchange District Campus

On the Horizon

Construction has begun on the College’s new Innovation Centre — a 100,000-square foot facility in the heart of Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

Close to 1,200 students and staff will train at the Innovation Centre, focusing on industry-led applied research, Indigenous entrepreneurship, social innovation and enterprise. Programs expanding within the new facility include Information Security, Digital Media Production, Business, and Game Design.

The Centre will be a dynamic collision space where students, faculty, industry and the community will engage in concept development, product development, testing, and promotion — creating solutions to real-world issues in a learning environment, and accelerating the commercialization of start-ups and small and medium- sized enterprises.

Large businesses and organizations will also have the opportunity to work with students, instructors and researchers at the Innovation Centre on individual projects, training and product development. As today’s industries grow and change, these collaborations will ensure our students graduate ahead of the curve and job-ready.

Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology & Research Centre

Jan den Oudsten — founder and former president of New Flyer Industries, and inventor of leading-edge transit technology — along with his wife, Maria den Oudsten, donated $1.5 million to RRC, one of the largest gifts the College has ever received from individual donors.

Donors, Jan den Oudsten and family, celebrate the opening of the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology & Research Center.

“I spent much of my life in an industry I am passionate about, and am incredibly humbled to be able to give back and inspire the next generation of learners,” says den Oudsten.

“Working and living in Winnipeg was the best time of my life. Winnipeg has the best bus builders in the world, and it is my hope that with this gift that reputation of excellence can continue for many more years.”

RRC renamed its Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre in recognition and appreciation of the gift. The 60,000-sq.-ft. training and research facility is now proudly known as the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology & Research Centre (VTRC).

The expansive complex was built in 2008, and was one of the first educational centres in Manitoba to receive LEED® Silver certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

Every day, close to 170 students at VTRC are trained in transportation technology programs such as Heavy Duty Mechanic, Truck Transport Mechanic (apprenticeship), Trailer Mechanic (apprenticeship), Outdoor Power Equipment (certificate and apprenticeship) and specialized training for General Motors.

Haas Innovation Lab

Together with representatives from the Gene Haas Foundation and Thomas Skinner & Son, RRC proudly opened its new Gene Haas Innovation Lab on May 8, 2019. Outfitted with the most current and cutting-edge equipment from HAAS Automation, the new space will be used by students in programs such as Manufacturing CAD, Manufacturing Technology and Precision Metal Manufacturing.

Grand Opening of the Gene Haas Innovation Center in May 2019.

It is an integral part of the College’s new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre, which will help train up to an additional 1,000 students every year.

The lab was made possible through a $500,000 donation from the Gene Haas Foundation in the early stages of planning for the STTC. The gift was integral in moving the project forward.

“The Gene Haas Innovation Lab stands on its own as an excellent example of an opportunity for industry to work with education to further develop manufacturing in Manitoba,” says Paul Krainer, President and CEO, Thomas Skinner & Son.

“This lab is the culmination of more than 20 years of Red River College, Thomas Skinner and Haas Automation working together to provide the means to produce skilled workers that fit the needs of precision part manufacturing today. Gene Haas himself and his company have proven what can be done in manufacturing in the United States or Canada.

Indigenous Pathway Programs

The College has recently expanded and redeveloped its Pathway programs, designed for Indigenous students as a supportive transition into post-secondary education. Pathway programs provide preparation by increasing academic, personal, social and financial readiness, and by supporting the transition to College life.

Mature students or students from rural communities can prepare to be successful through a holistic approach. Pathway programs can reduce attrition and support growth into industries where indigenous people have been underrepresented.

School of Indigenous Education – Social Enterprise students.

RRC currently has Pathway programs in nine areas, with plans to develop more in the near future.

• NEW: Social Innovation and Community Development
• NEW: Pathway to Business, Creative Communications and Digital Technology Programs
• Pathway to Engineering Technology Programs
• Pathway to Health Programs
• College Transition
• Introduction to Trades
• Culinary Skills – Indigenous
• Indigenous Language – Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)
• NEW: Indigenous Language – Cree