Red River College’s Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC).

Red River College wishes to recognize the Manitoba Trucking Association and its members during National Trucking Week in Canada.

“Red River College works closely with the trucking industry in Manitoba to ensure we provide training opportunities to drive the economy and provide a qualified workforce,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of RRC. “We want to recognize National Trucking Week and applaud the Manitoba Trucking Association and its members during this celebratory week.”

In 2009, RRC opened its innovative Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC), which offers training in the areas of Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics, Truck and Transport Mechanics, and Transport Trailer Technician. The facility has provided the College with increased enrolment opportunities in the heavy duty and transport trade programs.

HETC also supports Manitoba’s growing green-energy economy by affording opportunities for conducting applied research and advanced training in leading-edge technologies such as biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen and electric hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and emissions and cold-weather testing. Read More →

Preliminary numbers for Red River College’s (RRC) Fall 2013 enrolment show significant increases in specific diploma, degree and certificate programs, with overall enrolment remaining at par with the 2012/2013 academic year.

“Red River College offers over 200 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate programs that provide opportunities for students to walk off the graduation stage and into meaningful careers,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of Red River College. “Our applied, experiential approach to education in innovative learning environments is attractive to students and this is reflected in our enrolments. Students know that RRC is working closely with industry and communities to fill jobs and create businesses critical to Manitoba’s economy.”

Of particular note are enrolment increases in Culinary Arts (up 29%), and Hotel and Restaurant Management (up 48%). In other diploma and certificate programs, Automotive Technician (up 33%), Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (up 33%), Architectural/Engineering Technology (up 52.9%), and Electronic Engineering Technology (up 29%) all saw increases, as well.

RRC’s new Construction Management degree program (up 19%) and Nursing degree program (up 12%) have also seen significant gains this academic year.

Reflective of RRC’s visits to India and China, the College successfully attracted more international students to Manitoba. In 2013, RRC welcomed 602 international students to the College, an increase of 24% from last year. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris MacLennan, Head Coach for the Rebels Women’s Volleyball team.

“Chris will be a great addition to the coaching staff here at RRC, and the athletes who are part of the program will have the opportunity to learn and play for an excellent coach,” says Shane Ray, Manager of Athletics and Recreation Services for Red River College.

A Level 2 NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) coach, MacLennan begins his first year at RRC after having established himself in Ontario with the Maverick Volleyball Club in Ottawa, then moving on to work as an assistant coach at Lakehead University during the 2011-12 campaign.

He also coached with the Shock Volleyball Club in Winnipeg over the past year, and led Team Manitoba at the National Team Challenge Cup in July. His proven success at the club, provincial and post-secondary level will be an asset to the program here at Red River College.

MacLennan says, “I am very excited to begin training this season, and will look to put together an excellent group with some of the returning players in combination with some new talent entering the gym this year. We will look to improve upon the established success of this program — this year and moving forward.”

The Red River Rebels are the varsity sport teams of Red River College, and compete in the Manitoba College Athletic Conference (MCAC). The College fields men’s and women’s teams in basketball, futsal, soccer and volleyball.

Click here for more information about RRC Rebels Athletics.

Red River College is pleased to be participating for the first time in Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row Project.

The initiative’s roots date back to 1986, when Winnipeggers Ron and Eunice O’Donovan produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than they could consume. Their vegetables were so well received by Winnipeg Harvest, the O’Donovans encouraged friends and neighbours to donate their surplus produce, too. Since then, Grow-A-Row has yielded millions of pounds of fresh fruit and veggies.

At RRC, the project is being led by Gord McLeod (shown, at left) and his Pavement & Grounds team. In between weed-whacking, mowing and other regular duties, staff and student employees take time from their schedules to tend to the garden and its bounty.

The 30′ x 60′ plot is located between the West Parking Lot and the old Greenhouse.

“Six weeks ago this was just a grassy area,” says McLeod of the space. “We tilled it and added 12 cubic yards of compost from our on-site compost pile to get the soil nice and healthy.”

The team then planted russet potatoes and carrot seeds, and in a matter of weeks, the garden had sprouted. Harvest is expected to take place in late September; during that time, staff and students will be invited to participate in a harvest-picking party.

“This is a great project for many reasons,” says Nancy Alexander, Vice-President of Human Resource Services and Sustainability at RRC. “It supports the College’s values of sustainability and wellness and strengthens our connection to the community. I want to thank Gord and his team for their work on ‘grow-a-row’ and look forward to expanding the project in years to come.”

Students and staff who’ve spent the summer months tending to their own gardens can participate in Grow-A-Row by dropping off fruit and veggies at Winnipeg Harvest from Monday to Saturday.

Where else can 23 students and three instructors from China go for a trolley ride, see penguins and a polar bear, and explore parks, farmers’ markets and historical sites — all while building confidence using the English language? Red River College, of course.

The students are in Winnipeg as part of a new pilot program launched this summer by RRC’s International Education office and Language Training Centre. The aim of the program aim is to give students and instructors an opportunity to be immersed in the English language for two weeks.

“Red River College is so proud to share the culture and history of Winnipeg and Manitoba through an immersive language learning opportunity,” says Dr. Christine Crowe, vice-president of Community Development at Red River College.

“After such an exciting experience this summer, we trust these students will plan to come back to Red River College to study.”

Students and staff from the Shenyang Institute of Engineering (SIE) and Shanghai Medical Instrumentation College (SMIC) arrived in Winnipeg on July 28^th, and will spend their time here working through a packed schedule of events and tours. Each day starts with a series of interactive lessons delivered by staff from the Language Training Centre. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce the hiring of Jordan Goetting as the head coach of the Rebels men’s soccer and futsal teams.

“We are excited to bring a coach with his knowledge, skills and passion for the sport to Red River College as we continue to grow our soccer program,” said Shane Ray, Manager of Athletics and Recreation Services for Red River College.

Goetting got his start in soccer at the age of nine and worked his way up through the soccer system in Winnipeg. He brings to the College more than 27 years of experience in the game as a player, coach and trainer.

Goetting’s experience has taken him to some of the highest levels in soccer, including a 1995 trial with Swansea City F.C. of the English Premier League. It was there that Goetting learned the difference between being a professional and an amateur soccer player. Goetting continued to play throughout North America with stints in Thunder Bay, Ontario with the Chill, and in Missouri with the Springfield Demize of the Premier Development League. As an amateur soccer player Goetting has won the national championships with two Manitoba clubs in 2000 (Winnipeg Lucania FC) and again in 2009 (SC Hellas).

“I am looking forward to starting my first year as the Rebels head coach and growing the program that will continue to improve each year,” said, Goetting.

In 2011 Goetting started his own soccer school, JNJ SOCCER, and has continued to pass on his love for the game onto kids and adults throughout the city. In 2012 he coached Action FC to a 10th place finish in the country.

Committed to sharing his passion for the sport of soccer, and to provide opportunities to children in need, Goetting will be traveling to Kenya in 2014 to develop a soccer program for an orphanage.

Goetting is a Pre-B level coach and plans on obtaining his national levels in the near future.

Manitoba is investing $1.4 million over two years to improve the recognition of foreign credentials and get people working more quickly, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby and Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick announced today.

“The Manitoba government has been working to improve the recognition of foreign credentials, allowing new Manitobans the ability to put their education and experience to use sooner and establish successful careers in our province,” said Selby, at a press conference held at Red River College. “Today, we’re announcing new supports for our universities and colleges to work with trained and talented newcomers to put their skills to work. It’s good for our economy and it means newcomers can more quickly put down roots in Manitoba.”

This initiative will fund pilot programs designed to assist internationally educated newcomers get their professional qualifications recognized quickly and transition smoothly into the work force. Read More →

She beat out some pretty stiff competition to land the Greatest Summer Job in the City.

Kayla Jeanson, a Film Studies student from the University of Manitoba, is excited to be part of Winnipeg’s Exchange District, and to serve as Red River College’s first-ever “Blogger in Residence”.

“I hope to shine a light on the experience of living downtown. I want to showcase the beauty of our Exchange District”, said Jeanson. “I have a strong following on social media so I’m hoping I can engage with them, and thousands of other people throughout the city and province. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”

Jeanson moved in on June 28and will live rent-free in the RRC residence until August 16. As part of her job as the “Blogger in Residence”, Jeanson will be submitting five stories a week and providing content to Twitter, Facebook and any other creative means she wants to use.  Read More →

They took home every prize except one. A group of 14 advertising majors from Red River College’s Creative Communications program are $90,000 richer this week, having achieved a near-clean sweep at the Imagine Students (Verb) Charities awards gala, hosted by Muttart Foundation and Imagine Canada on June 21, in Toronto.

The biggest award of the night, $50,000 for first place, was presented to Creative Communications students Emily Doer, Courtney Brecht and Corinne Rikkelmann, for their awareness campaign, I am a Charity Case.

“It was such a strong campaign. It had some edge to it, and I think that really helped our product stand out,” said Doer. “I am still reeling from the win – I wouldn’t even cash the cheque until I got home.”

A total of 50 submissions were received for the contest and the judges had to narrow the field down to 12 ad campaigns. All five teams from RRC were notified they made it to the second round, where they would be given the chance to refine their campaign materials. At that point contest organizers would select six winners and invite them to the awards gala in Toronto. By mid-May all five teams were invited.

“It was an intense and emotional evening,” said Doer. “As they kept calling out names I just became more nervous and anxious until they had the final two teams on the podium and I was up there with my team. It was a great way to end the year.”

The contest was launched to get students to find a creative way to demonstrate how charities have a far reaching and positive effect. Teams were able to take any approach and use any medium to help communicate their message.

“I believe the primary reason that advertising majors from Red River College dominated this contest is because the Creative Communications program is the total package,” said Susan Nicol, advertising and marketing instructor. “Every instructor gave the students the tools they needed to do well in this competition, and they have met and exceeded our expectations.”

Full list of the award winners:

• First Prize of $50,000 was awarded to Emily Doer, Courtney Brecht and Corinne Rikkelmann from Red River College for their campaign, I am a Charity Case

• Second Prize of $25,000 was awarded to Suzy Bodiroga, Alex Kyle, Monique Pantel and Josie Marier-Loeppky from Red River College for their campaign, Charities are at the Heart

• Third Prize of $10,000 was awarded to Laura Stobbe from the University of Victoria for her campaign, A Charity Was Here

• Fourth Prize of $7,500 was awarded to Mitch Kruse and Tamara Adams from Red River College, for their campaign, Without Charities

• Fifth Prize of $5,000 was awarded to Jaclyn Leskiw, Michael Trakalo and Katie Madziak from Red River College, for their campaign, Charities are Everywhere

• Sixth Prize of $2,500 was awarded to Tanner Ziprick and Kelly McGuinness from Red River College, for their campaign, Most Canadians wouldn’t know a charity if it hit them in the face

To view the student submissions visit them at the Students (Verb) Charities

See the full release from Imagine Canada and the Muttart Foundation