Manitoba’s construction trades sector is poised for growth thanks to a provincial government investment of $60 million toward development of a new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre at Red River College.

The commitment was confirmed in today’s Provincial Speech from the Throne.

“We know industry needs significantly more skilled workers to keep up with the growth of the Manitoba economy, but our aging infrastructure hampers our ability to respond adequately,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President of Red River College. “Today’s announcement lets us begin planning in earnest for a brand-new facility that features state-of-the-art industrial and learning technologies. We appreciate the government’s foresight in making this strategic investment.”

When completed, the centre will allow Red River College to create a central hub for all construction trades training at the Notre Dame Campus, enhance programming using new technology and collaborative work spaces, and expand capacity in high priority programs like carpentry, electrical and plumbing.

Forsyth also pledged RRC’s support for a planned Provincial Skills Summit, and noted that the government’s goal to expand Manitoba’s labour force by engaging more Aboriginal and international students is consistent with the College’s new strategic plan.

“I’m encouraged by the education and training priorities announced in the Throne Speech, and I look forward to working with our government, industry and community partners to bring them to life,” Forsyth said.

Red River College joins the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in celebrating the accomplishments of the most recent graduates of its Health Services Leadership and Management program.

Available in class and online through RRC’s School of Continuing Education, and delivered in partnership with the WRHA, the program targets current health services workers who wish to further their careers by developing or upgrading their management skills.

Employees come from a wide range of services, including acute care, community programs, diagnostic, personal and long-term care facilities. The program allows them to build the knowledge, skills and networking connections required to succeed in the WRHA’s dynamic and evolving health care environment.

“The beauty of this program is that it couples tangible financial support with a sense of identifying and acknowledging potential in our future health care leaders,” says Nish Verma, vice-president and chief human resources officer for the WRHA.

The collaborative WRHA/RRC model of the program has grown steadily since its inception in 2003, and is now a widely recognized and established component of the WRHA’s management and succession planning strategy. It was developed through collaborations with the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian College of Health Leaders; curriculum is based on that organization’s Certified Health Executive competencies.

Those taking the program receive instruction from some of the most respected names in the health service industry, as well as expert guidance as they apply their practical skills in the workplace. Participants in the joint WRHA/RRC program have to be sponsored in by their employers, who in turn must be a health organization under the WRHA.

Click here for more info on the Health Services Leadership and Management program at RRC.

RRC alum Östen Rice (centre) along with Amici’s Jamie Snow (left) and Sydney’s at the Forks’ Michael Schafer (right), on the winner’s podium of this year’s Gold Medal Plates culinary competition.

Congratulations to RRC alum Östen Rice (Culinary Arts, 2001), of Wasabi Sabi restaurant, on his recent win at the Gold Medal Plates competition in Winnipeg.

Rice was awarded top honours at the event, which took place Oct. 26 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. As it does every year, the event celebrates the best in local cuisine, pitting the city’s premiere chefs against each other in a bid for a spot at the Canadian Culinary Championships.

Rice’s gold medal-worthy entry was a thrilling mix of sweet and sour, comprised of beet-cured butterfish, marinated sea asparagus, taro crisp and tobiko roe, and a slaw of julienned Fuki apple, golden beet and shiso leaf. Read More →

Stephanie Forsyth (left), President of Red River College, and John Bockstael, President and CEO of Bockstael Construction Ltd.

In honour of the 100-year anniversary of Bockstael Construction Limited, John Bockstael, President and CEO, presented Red River College President Stephanie Forsyth with a cheque for $25,000 today.

The donation will be used to establish the Bockstael Construction Limited Endowment Fund for Student Awards at RRC, and will benefit students in the Construction Management and Carpentry programs.

Bockstael Construction is a strong supporter of a number of RRC initiatives, including the Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre, the Girls Exploring Trades & Technology (GETT) camps, the annual Alumni Dinner, and the College’s skilled trades.

Click here for more info on how to support student success at RRC.

(From left): Peter Bjornson, Provincial Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training & Trade; Stephanie Forsyth, President of RRC; and Kim Olson, Senior Vice-President, Helicopters, Energy & Engineering for StandardAero.

Red River College will continue to serve as an engine of economic growth in Canada, thanks to a recent donation worth $1.2 million from industry partner StandardAero.

Earlier this month, the company transferred ownership of a GE CF-34 turbine aircraft engine to RRC. The engine will be used as part of the College’s apprenticeship and training programs, in particular the Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul program, which promotes engine maintenance, repair and overhaul skills.

“Here at Red River College, we pride ourselves on giving students the opportunity to train using state-of-the-art technology and industry-approved equipment,” says RRC President Stephanie Forsyth. “This donation, and our partnership with StandardAero, will allow us to continue to serve as a leader in aerospace training, and to continue supplying highly-trained employees to the workforce.”

The College’s partnership with StandardAero has been ongoing for several years, and has also resulted in the development of the Centre for Aerospace Technology & Training (CATT), a unique industrial campus model that serves as a technology validation site for RRC’s Applied Research and Commercialization department. StandardAero is also an active participant in RRC’s co-op and internship programs.

“Our (latest) donation serves as a key workforce skills strategy, not only for StandardAero, but also for Manitoba’s continued economic sustainment and growth,” says Kim Olson, Senior Vice-President, Helicopters, Energy & Engineering at StandardAero.

“Training on real-world products without incurring capital costs is paramount to the learning and development of a highly skilled workforce in Manitoba. Our partnership with Apprenticeship Manitoba and RRC is nationally recognized as a leading contributor to the growth of the aerospace sector in Manitoba.”

Local author Ron Blicq, a member of Red River College’s Heritage Group, has an early Christmas present for local audiences.

While the rest of the country will have to wait until 2013 to read his latest release, The Spirit of Giving: Seven Contemporary Christmas Tales, local fans can get their hands on the book in time for the holidays, thanks to an advance agreement with an Altona printer.

The book will launch on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at McNally Robinson Booksellers Grant Park. Targeting readers of all ages, The Spirit of Giving tells of those who have given of themselves to ensure that others have a meaningful Christmas.

A former RRC instructor, Blicq has written three novels, six books on writing, and a number of plays that have been presented at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and in the U.K. His 2008 play Closure took top honours in the Samuel French Canadian Playwrights Competition.

Blicq’s book launch gets underway at 7 p.m. Click here for more information.

RRC President Stephanie Forsyth (far right), with Grade 7 to 9 students from Lake St. Martin First Nation.

When overland flooding forced them to be evacuated from their homes, residents of Lake St. Martin First Nation figured it would be a few months at most before they were allowed to return.

But after spending a year and a half living in temporary housing in Winnipeg — and with much of their community still under water — those same residents are wondering if they’ll ever return to their community again.

The 18-month ordeal has been particularly tough on the teens and children who were displaced when Lake St. Martin flooded in May 2011. That’s why Red River College stepped forward to send 12 of those students and two teachers to We Day — a global “youth empowerment” event that has since inspired the teens to become agents of social change for their own community.

“Too frequently we hear of children and individuals losing hope, or who feel powerless, and we have seen this with some of the evacuees of Lake St. Martin,” says RRC President Stephanie Forsyth.

“I wanted to reach out to the youth of this community — to afford them the opportunity to hear We Day’s very powerful message of hope, and the role they might play in bringing about change.” Read More →

Applications are now being accepted for single and double dorm rooms in Red River College’s new student residence at the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute.

Located at the corner of Main Street and William Avenue (just blocks from the Roblin Centre), the new Exchange District Campus Residence offers convenient meal plans and rental contracts that align with academic schedules. The residences will open in January 2013, but applications are being accepted as of Nov. 1, 2012.

Dorm rates for the Winter 2013 term (Jan. 2, 2013 – Apr. 26, 2013) are $3,660.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit http://www.rrc.ca/campusliving.

A consortium involving Red River College, New Flyer Industries and other industry partners has been awarded $3.4 million in new federal funding to further develop battery-electric bus propulsion technology.

The new funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada builds on the $1-million investment made by the provincial government last year to develop an all‑electric transit bus and charging system, said Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak, who extended his congratulations to all involved in the project for this latest development.

The all-electric bus development and demonstration project is a partnership between RRC, New Flyer, the Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

“Together we are developing an entirely electric bus system to get families around, not only in Winnipeg, but in cities all over North America,” said Chomiak. “The development of renewable and sustainable technologies is a priority for our government and the support being offered ensures we keep can keep moving forward.”

In addition to the $1-million investment in 2011, the province has invested $100,000 for the creation of an electric-vehicle learning and demonstration centre at RRC under Manitoba’s Electric Vehicle Road Map. Read More →

Congratulations to Red River College student and Navy reservist Diego Mendoza, the latest member of the RRC family to receive a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Mendoza (shown at left), a student in RRC’s Chemical and Biosciences Technology Co-op program, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to Canada while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. He received his award at a ceremony at HMCS Chippawa on Oct. 9, 2012.

Earlier this year, QEII Diamond Jubilee Medals were also awarded to former RRC Dean Dave Williamson, and current program coordinator Dwayne Forsman.

“There is no doubt that Red River College continues to be a place where great people gather and contribute to the community,” says Mendoza.

Click here for more information on RRC’s Chemical and Biosciences Technology Co-op program.