The energy and excitement were high in RRC Polytech’s South Gym on February 7, 2025, as close to 250 nursing students attended the College’s first-ever Senior Nursing Practicum Showcase, an event hosted in partnership with Manitoba Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office. 

More than 25 employer booths were set up, with representatives and nurses from each of Manitoba’s health service delivery organizations eager to meet with senior nursing students to help guide their decisions for practicum experiences and their future careers. 

“It was a great experience to have managers and nurses from different locations that I might never have thought of or considered,” said third year nursing student Bradley Biggs. “I was able to meet someone in the Interlake region as well as Southern Health, which piqued my interest level. Nursing allows for many options and placements, which is amazing.” 

Katrina Enns, a fellow third-year student, noted that the event helped confirm her interest in completing her practicum in a rural setting in Northern Manitoba: “I gained contact information that I can hold onto for my future career, as well as had the ability to speak with some Northern nurses about their experience,” she said. “Hearing perspectives from representatives was encouraging and reinforced my desire for this experience.” 

Employment engagement opportunities like the Senior Nursing Practicum Showcase help ensure students can build strong connections while they’re still in school, to take forward as they build their careers in Manitoba upon graduation. 

“Hosting events to prepare students for Work-Integrated Learning experiences offers benefits for both students and employers,” said Dusty Ritchie, Director of Work-Integrated Learning and Career Services at RRC Polytech. “Students gain insights into work terms, helping them make informed career choices and expand their networks. Employers can showcase their culture, discuss opportunities, and connect with motivated students, ready to contribute. This collaboration creates rewarding partnerships between educational institutions and industry partners which results in WIL opportunities for students.” 

In her opening remarks, Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Community Services at RRC Polytech, noted that “it takes an immense amount of kindness and dedication to enter a career in healthcare.” 

“Each of you will make a tremendous impact on the lives of Manitobans,” she said. “That impact starts with your education and will continue in the connections you make today. I hope this event allows you to learn more and get excited about the opportunities ahead for you.” 

The kindness of nurses played a large role in Bradley Biggs’s decision to pursue nursing. 

“I lost my dad just over 18 years ago and had the most amazing experience with the nurses that cared for him on a cardiac unit – this inspired me to look at the healthcare field,” he said, noting that the fast pace of nursing school can pose a challenge, as a mature student.  

“It took longer to get things to fall in place and making nursing school a reality, it is never too late to start something you are passionate about.” 

“I chose nursing because I have a strong desire to help others and make a meaningful impact on people’s lives,” added Katrina Enns. “I love hearing people’s stories and the experiences that have shaped them into the person they have become.” 

RRC Polytech is one of Manitoba’s largest trainers of health-care professionals and home to the only three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree program in the province. The College plays a pivotal role in shaping the health-care workforce in Manitoba, and partnerships such as these help to ensure that crucial roles across the province’s health service delivery organizations are filled by a passionate, highly skilled workforce. 

The Senior Nursing Practicum Showcase was made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office.

Photos courtesy of Shared Health Manitoba.

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) will be able to more than double childcare spaces at the Notre Dame Campus daycare, thanks to funding from the federal and provincial governments announced yesterday.  

Through the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the College’s will receive support to add 74 new childcare spaces to the R.R.C. Early Childhood Centre Inc. 

“Childcare continues to be one of the barriers that prevent Manitobans from accessing post-secondary education and training. RRC Polytech is committed to creating more pathways to education and enhancing the student experience, and we’re thrilled to have the support of the federal and provincial governments to create these new spaces and help us achieve this,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “These new spaces represent an opportunity for potential learners who would otherwise be unable to attend full-time programs; and for staff and community members who have been unable to find convenient, quality childcare solutions.” 

RRC Polytech’s Early Childhood Centre currently has 53 spaces, serving current students, staff and community members.  

“R.R.C. Early Childhood Centre Inc. has been serving staff and students of RRC Polytech for the past 50 years. We are excited to see our program grow to serve more people within the RRC Polytech community,” said Samantha Henry, Executive Director for R.R.C Early Childhood Centre Inc. “We look forward to our continued partnership with RRC Polytech to ensure that we can continue to provide high quality child care and support families, as they pursue their post-secondary education and training or pursue their careers and grow their families.” 

The expansion to RRC Polytech’s Early Childhood Centre was part of an announcement made by the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Children and Social Development for the Government of Canada and the Honourable Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning for the Province of Manitoba. 

“Child care is a vital support for parents, families and communities and that’s why we need to meet parents and children where they are,” said Sudds in a release. “We’ll continue to work with Manitoba to find new innovative solutions to creating more affordable child care spaces, to reduce waitlists and to grow the early childhood workforce, to fit parents needs, where and when they need it the most.” 

“We’re investing in child care spaces to meet parents and caregivers where they’re at to make life easier for families,” said Schmidt in a release. “Our government continues to build the child care system as a whole – creating spaces that meet the needs of families, offering programming to attract and support child care professionals and investing in learning outcomes for a quality early education experience.” 

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are funding 128 new child care spaces between RRC Polytech and the University College of the North’s Thompson campus. These spaces are in addition to those previously announced at nine other post-secondary campuses across the province, for a combined total of over 800 new spaces at Manitoba post-secondary institutions and a total investment of $60.5 million. 

Further details about the construction and anticipated opening date for the RRC Polytech expansion will be shared with the College community as they are available. 

Read the full release from the Federal and Provincial governments 

Opportunities in Early Childhood Education Continue to Grow 

RRC Polytech’s Early Childhood Education and  Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workplace programs have limited spaces available for Fall 2025. The workplace program allows experienced child-care assistants working in licensed child-care programs across Manitoba to remain employed while obtaining the specialized skills needed to be an ECE Level II.  

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit RRC Polytech’s Open Doors event tonight to speak to instructors and learn more about the rewarding career possibilities in early childhood education. Open Doors runs from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. this evening at the Notre Dame Campus and Exchange District Campus.

Manitobans looking for a rewarding career path are welcome to visit Red River College Polytechnic’s (RRC Polytech) Winnipeg campuses tomorrow to learn what the College has to offer.

The Open Doors event is RRC Polytech’s signature open house event which anticipates welcoming more than 4,000 prospective students and their families to tour the campuses, meet instructors, learn about available supports and find a program that sparks their interest.  

Date: Wednesday February 19, 2025
Daytime: 9am–2pm (last campus tour leaves at 1pm)
Evening: 5pm–8pm(last campus tour leaves at 7pm)
Locations: Notre Dame Campus and Exchange District Campus

Potential students and their supporters can explore the campuses through a guided tour. Specialty tours are available at each campus, including a Culinary, Hospitality and Residence tour of the College’s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute; skilled trades and technologies tours featuring programs included in the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics; and creative arts and information technology tours featuring programs included in the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts.

$5,000 Bursary Available for Attendees

Potential students who visit RRC Polytech during the Open Doors event are also eligible to enter for a $5,000 bursary to support their educational journey. Learn more about how the bursary impacted the 2024 recipient here.

For more information, please visit rrc.ca/opendoors

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) and Prairie Project Studio have officially launched the 2025 Entrepreneur Challenge in Portage la Prairie.

Now in its third year, this innovative competition is set to inspire and empower youth aged 15 to 30 to nourish their entrepreneurial spirit, and is a collaborative effort between RRC Polytech, Arrowhead Development Corporation, Portage Community Revitalization Corporation, Heartland Community Futures Whitehorse Plains, Portage and District Chamber of Commerce, and Portage Regional Economic Development. 

“This will be our third year hosting a competition to inspire youth from Portage la Prairie to dream up business ideas and products and to learn about being an innovator and entrepreneur. Each year we have grown this event, better supporting the sponsoring partners and the students,” said Guy Moffat, Regional Campus Manager, RRC Polytech. “At the Prairie Project Studio in RRC Polytech’s Portage Campus we have equipment and access to local experts that help these students take their ideas to prototype and market testing. We believe that by providing them with the right resources and mentorship, we can nurture the development of innovative solutions and contribute to the growth of our local economy.”. 

Contestants now have two weeks to collaborate with their teams, refine their concepts, and craft compelling pitches. On February 27^th participants will present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges at the Portage Collegiate Institute multi-purpose room, beginning at 12:15 pm. 

The top three pitches will be awarded prize money totaling $1,500 sponsored by Arrowhead Development Corporation, Heartland Community Futures Whitehorse Plains, and Portage Regional Economic Development. Winners will receive paid memberships to the Prairie Project Studio, providing them with a conducive environment to further develop their entrepreneurial ventures. 

“This Entrepreneur Challenge represents a significant step forward in fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship within the Portage la Prairie community,” added Moffat. “By bringing together various organizations dedicated to supporting local talent and business development, the challenge aims to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” added Moffat. 

About Prairie Project Studio: 

Prairie Project Studio (PPS) provides a dedicated space to foster innovation and create local business concepts in Portage la Prairie. It’s a space to turn an idea to prototype, a hobby into a startup, grow a small-scale manufacturing business, or explore innovation resources. Located at RRC Polytech’s Portage Campus and in partnership with Communities Building Youth Futures, the PPS offers office space and project studio or makerspace. The makerspace is furnished with a heavy-duty sewing machine, multiple 3D printers, Cricut machine and laser engraver. The space is perfect for prototyping, inventing and small-scale production. The office space is an affordable startup hub providing essential amenities for conducting business including computers, printers, dedicated hot desks, access to local expertise on business, accounting and legal assistance, as well as a collaborative atmosphere. 

Register today!

The University of Manitoba, Red River College and Global Affairs Canada are delighted to elevate Indigenous voices in international relations for this gathering. Indigenous leaders have a deep diplomatic history and strong global networks. Through this event, students will engage with Indigenous diplomats, politicians and community leaders. This will be a unique opportunity to make lasting connections and learn from leaders committed to strengthening Indigenous relations and diplomatic approaches that are rooted in rich Indigenous history, teachings and cultures.

Join us at the Manitoba Indigenous Diplomacy Forum on Friday, March 14, 2025, and engage with Indigenous leaders today – become a leader tomorrow!

This gathering is all about starting a conversation on Indigenous diplomacy, how leaders have shaped it and how students can be part of its future. It’s a chance to explore global opportunities, connect with Indigenous diplomats, and see how they are driving reconciliation and representation. Whether it’s learning about international relations or finding a path to a career in diplomacy, this is an open door for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students. With a strong focus on Manitoba, we are building connections, creating opportunities, and making sure Indigenous voices are heard on the world stage.

The opening ceremonies will kick off at 10:30 AM, with a keynote address focusing on Indigenous Diplomacy – Past, Present, and Future. Following that, at 12:00 PM, there will be a networking lunch with Indigenous diplomats, leaders and politicians, and special guests. At 1:05 PM, the discussion will turn to The Role of Indigenous Youth in International Relations, highlighting the important contributions of young Indigenous voices. The first panel at 1:25 PM will explore Manitoba Indigenous Leadership in International Affairs, and the second panel at 2:50 PM will cover Global Affairs Canada – Indigenous Representation Abroad.

Register with Jessica Bloomfield, Senior Strategic Advisor, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development by email at jbloomfield@rrc.ca with Indigenous Diplomacy Forum – Student Registration as the subject line.

For more information, check out the event program.

The Indigenous Diplomacy Forum – Global Affairs Canada

Date: Friday, March 14, 2025

Time: 10:30am – 3:40 pm

Location: Manitoba Legislative Building

Five thousand dollars makes a big impact on any student. 

Last year, when Chelsea Smith attended RRC Polytech’s Open Doors event she was planning on learning more about the programs and seeing the campus. She didn’t know that by filling out a slip of paper she would end up being the winner of a $5,000 bursary giveaway.  

Now a student in the Health Information Management program at RRC Polytech, Chelsea says the bursary helped ease her financial burden, covering the cost of her second term tuition and all her books.  

Chelsea wasn’t even supposed to be at Open Doors that day. She was planning on taking a gap year after high school to figure out how she would pay for any future schooling and just happened to tag along with her brothers who were attending to learn about other programs. When they got there, they all put their names into the draw for the bursary. 

When she got the phone call that she was the winner of $5000 to support her education, she had already been accepted to her program and was wondering how they were going to cover her tuition. She was skeptical: “are you sure?”, she remembers asking. After the phone call ended, she immediately told her dad. They were both ecstatic. 

“I don’t usually have luck like this, so we were really excited,” said Chelsea. “Receiving the bursary has helped take away some of the stress of finding a part time job while in the program and has given me some time to figure out how to pay for the rest of it.” 

After completing the Health Information Management program, she would like to work at CancerCare Manitoba or become a Coding Technologist. But she is keeping her options open and considering any opportunities through the program that she really enjoys. Right now, though, Chelsea is in the practicum portion of her first year and is excited for what is to come in the rest of the program.  

“Attending Open Doors was my first time being on campus and I really enjoyed learning about all of the different programs and getting to tour the different areas,” she said. “Since becoming a student, I’ve loved my experience at the College. I’ve met so many amazing and diverse people and the instructors are very welcoming. You get to meet new people and explore new things. I’m very happy to be in this program.” 

The Open Doors bursary was created by the recruitment team dedicated to future students to help eliminate financial barriers to education and will be available at the 2025 Open Doors event. 

The 2025 Open Doors event is on February 19 at the Notre Dame and Exchange District Campuses.

Interested learners are encouraged to attend to tour the campuses and learn about the more than 150 programs RRC Polytech has to offer. Anyone considering a program at RRC Polytech is encouraged to put their name into the draw to win $5000 towards a future program enrolment just like Chelsea did.  

With a new academic term comes many new students on our campuses. While some members of the College community may be familiar with the safety and security measures in place, for some, this will be new information. We appreciate everyone’s support as we work collaboratively to promote safer campuses for all. 

Accessing the Exchange District Campus (EDC) 

The College provides on-campus security 24/7, with regular patrolling across campus as well as additional security personnel at entrances to manage entry and control access at EDC. You will continue to see security personnel posted at campus entrances and be required to present your College ID card. Contractors and visitors must check in with security upon arrival. 

We are reviewing the current campus hours of operation – Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with swipe card access only after 8:00 p.m. – which may change to better support access control. Alongside reviewing campus hours, the College is also assessing other measures including expanding swipe card access at entrances. More information will be shared in future safety updates. 

Personal Belongings 

As a reminder for students and staff across all campuses – do not leave personal belongings unattended at any time. This includes locked spaces such as classrooms and breakout rooms. RRC Polytech is not liable for any loss of, or damage to unattended property. 

Pop-Up Info Booth at EDC 

In partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), there will be a pop-up info booth in the Atrium at the Roblin Centre throughout February. Stop by the booth and ask a WPS Officer any questions you may have, for example, about safety in downtown Winnipeg. 

More information about the pop-up info booth will be shared in Student and Staff News. 

Campus Alerting System 

The Campus Alerting System sends out important and time sensitive safety updates to staff and members’ College-issued phones. Students are encouraged to sign up to receive alerts and email notifications by joining the Campus Alerting Microsoft Teams Site. 

Ensuring the Campus Community Stays Informed 

RRC Polytech takes a proactive approach to enhancing our comprehensive safety strategy across campuses to support a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. 

Part of our commitment to prioritizing and promoting safety on campus is ensuring the College community is informed about changes in accessing campus, any new measures in place, and the safety supports and services available. We will continue to share monthly safety updates – or as needed – with students and staff. 

You can read all past safety updates, including the December Update on rrc.ca.  

Provide Your Feedback 

Thank you to all staff, students, and visitors for your understanding and cooperation as we adjust and enhance access to campus. While the Exchange District Campus has been our primary focus for recent updates, we continually assess and adjust safety and security measures across all campuses to meet the needs of our College community. 

We appreciate your ongoing support and feedback. For any concerns, questions or suggestions you may have, please reach out to Safety, Health and Security Services at safety@rrc.ca.

Sophie Walker, a Nursing student at RRC Polytech has taken initiative on climate action awareness through the creation of a Climate-Resilient Nursing Workshop and contribution to a comprehensive Planetary Health in Nursing library guide.

Sophie was one of five recipients of the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grant in 2024. The grants are available for students and recent graduates of Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) partner institutions and award youth $30,000 to launch or enhance a climate adaptation or climate mitigation project.

For the past year Sophie has been working closely with her RRC Polytech instructors Jennifer Morin and Deborah Gural to design and launch a Climate-Resilient Nursing Workshop aimed at educating nursing students on the connection between planetary health and nursing practices.

“This research has the potential to impact the future careers of nurses by preparing them to become strong advocates for planetary health. Climate change poses significant challenges to public health, and it is essential that nurses are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond to these challenges effectively,” she said.  “By teaching nursing students about the health impacts of climate change and how they can be active agents of change in the healthcare system, we hope to cultivate a new generation of nurses who are not only knowledgeable about climate-related health issues but also motivated to take action.”

The workshop featured six guest speakers who focused their discussions on planetary health’s relevance to nursing, the health impacts of climate change, sustainable healthcare practices, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in healthcare settings, energy conservation, sustainable waste management, public health preparedness, and advocating for policy change to address climate-related health challenges.

Sophie and her instructors also contributed to the development of a comprehensive Planetary Health in Nursing Library Guide. This resource can be used as a tool for both students and instructors to support future curriculum development related to climate-resilient practices in nursing. These materials aim to help nursing students understand how to integrate sustainability into their practice and empower them to take leadership roles in climate action initiatives as they transition into professional nursing roles.

They are now working on having the Planetary Health Report Card implemented within RRC Polytech’s Nursing program. This would be a key step in creating a structured framework to track and report on the environmental and sustainability practices in nursing education, and could also be applied to other programs.

“Overall, this project has helped me realize the crucial role that healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, can play in addressing climate change, and it has empowered me to take more proactive steps in making a positive environmental impact within my own practice,” said Sophie. “One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been witnessing the growing enthusiasm among nursing students for the integration of climate change and sustainability into their education and future careers.”

$30,000 Wawanesa Insurance Grants Available For Climate Action Changemakers

Current RRC Polytech students and recent graduates have the opportunity to shape the future by taking action on climate change and climate mitigation.

Canada needs innovative solutions now more than ever. Interested students and recent graduates should not miss out on this opportunity to be a Climate Champion and create lasting change.

Apply for the Youth Innovation Grant today for your chance to be part of a more sustainable future.

Apply for the Youth Innovation Grant on C2R2’s website

RRC Polytech flags are lowered today in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Holocaust Remembrance Day – or sometimes also referred to as Holocaust Memorial Day – is observed annually on January 27, in recognition of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on this day in 1945.

In 2005, the United Nations officially proclaimed January 27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, including six million Jews and millions of others. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the atrocities of the Holocaust and honour those whose lives were taken.

To mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada is hosting a free event, “Hate Goes Viral: A conversation about ending online antisemitism” from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. today. Learn more and register online at humanrights.ca.

We are thrilled to share that the Government of Manitoba has approved the renewal of the ASL-English Interpretation Program (AEIP) at RRC Polytech and the program will run once again starting in the 2025-26 academic year.

The program has undergone an academic transformation of its content, design and delivery to better meet the emerging needs of learners and the community. We are excited to offer the newly re-developed program and begin accepting students for the upcoming Fall 2025 term. The application process is being developed, and we will share admission details as they become available. Please note the program will be offered pending sufficient enrolment.

RRC Polytech is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity both on campus and in our communities. This new advanced diploma will have benefits to the community, including improved outcomes for students who will graduate from the program, and ultimately for all communities they will support.

A version of this update, shared in ASL, is below.

Learners wishing to find more information about the program can visit the FAQs below or contact Dr. Ginelle Giacomin at ggiacomin@rrc.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the program?

Red River College Polytechnic’s ASL-English Interpretation program (AEIP) provides a foundation for fluency in American Sign Language (ASL), as well as Deaf history and culture, interpreting theory, with practice in interpretation both in class and in the field. We pride ourselves on graduating students with a well-rounded entry-level skill set of both the practical skills of interpreting and the academic skills that students require to be employed as an ASL-English Interpreter. Attitude, attendance, hard work, and participation are some of the key elements of program success. Our graduates’ success demonstrates that students at RRC Polytech are prepared interpreters who are true professionals that are leading fulfilling careers serving the Deaf and non-Deaf community.

What can a student do after graduation?

Our program will prepare you to work as an entry-level interpreter in settings ranging from K-12 public schools to colleges, businesses, and social services. You will work in multiple small and large groups, either in classes and/or community settings. In addition, successful completion of our program prepares you to take the Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) Generalist Knowledge Exam. Currently, the demand for interpreters is high.

When does the program start?

The first intake of the program will be in Fall of 2025.

How long is the program?

The AEIP is a three-year full-time program encompassing eight terms, with the final term being a work-integrated learning opportunity.

Where is the program located?

This program will be held in-person at Notre Dame Campus.

What are the admission requirements?

Prospective students are required to have completed grade 12, must meet English language requirements and provide a declaration for check documents form.

In addition, prospective students require:

Require basic proficiency in American Sign Language or the successful completion of one of the following options within the last three years: (Proof of proficiency or course completion is required)

▪ Basic ASL proficiency level equivalent to a minimum of 120 hours of ASL instruction

Or

• Evidence of American Sign Language competency as shown by the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) with a minimum score of 2.0.  ASLPI ratings older than one year will not be accepted for admission into the program. (Note: All ASLPI testing is handled by Sign Language Institutes Canada.)

How can I apply?

Registration is now open. Visit the ASL-English Interpretation page on Program Explorer to see admission requirements and apply.