Red River College is pleased to see infrastructure and skills training identified as top priorities in the Federal Budget 2014.

“We welcome a collaborative approach with government, industry and community partners in expanding our ability to train Manitoba’s workforce,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO, Red River College. “This approach will ensure we meet the needs of education in the 21^st century and prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.”

With the creation of the Canada Apprentice Loan, additional funding by the federal government will reduce waiting lists for access to education and meet employer demands for skilled workers. This can help address youth unemployment at the same time.

The government’s pledge of $305 million over five years to extend and enhance broadband high-speed Internet access for rural and Northern communities is welcomed. This aligns with RRC’s strategic plan in ensuring access to education for all Manitobans. RRC is equipped to provide distance education via Internet training but we are hampered in rural areas, particularly in the north for Aboriginal students. Expanding broadband networks and making the Internet more available is a way to open the door to post-secondary education for many, while also providing another solution to the anticipated skills gap.

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RRC grad Sandra Sukhan, who currently serves as a curriculum consultant and teacher-educator for the College, will be on campus this week reading from a newly-released book about her childhood experiences in Guyana, and her sometimes difficult transition to life in Canada in the 1970s.

In Search of the Blue Lotus tells Sukhan’s story of growing up in Guyana during the 1960s, a time of political upheaval and racial unrest resulting from British efforts to colonize the nation. It also documents her arrival in Canada in 1970, following her move here at the age of 16 for an arranged marriage.

From the official bio: “Through a first-person reflective narrative, Sandra takes you on her very personal journey of her arrival in Canada to complete high school, her work as a hairstylist, her efforts to challenge systemic injustices of schools, and in later years during her academic studies toward a doctoral degree, her growing awareness of some of the issues of her youth that affected and impacted her life.”

A professional hairstylist with a doctorate in Environmental Studies, Sukhan is also a graduate of RRC’s Teacher Education program. Her story will be of interest to anyone working in the field of technical and/or vocational education.

RRC’s Library is proud to host two readings from the book, both of which will include conversation and refreshments:

• Wednesday, Jan. 29: Notre Dame Campus Library 3-4pm
• Thursday, Jan. 30: Exchange District Campus Library, 3-4pm

Click here for more information on In Search of the Blue Lotus, and here to register for one of the readings.

Research shows the best way to convince kids to eat healthy food is by getting them involved in its preparation. That’s why Red River College is proud to support The Winnipeg Foundation’s Recipe for Success Video Cooking Contest, which aims to nourish the potential of Winnipeg kids by getting them talking about, preparing and eating healthy sandwiches.

The contest encourages kids in Grades 4-6 to create their most outrageous, nutritious and delicious sandwich and share it in a video entry to win.

Up for grabs is one of three $500 grants to support healthy food at a school or community organization, plus one of five Junior Master Chef Culinary Adventures at RRC’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. As well, the winning sandwich recipe will be featured at RRC’s Culinary Exchange.

Winning teams will be determined by a panel of judges, including Keith Muller, dean of RRC’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. (An additional People’s Choice winner will be determined by public votes.)

“We’re honoured to be partnering with The Winnipeg Foundation on such an important initiative,” says Müller. “It’s important to start talking about nutrition early but it’s also important to show kids how easy it is to make healthy choices using the right ingredients. I can’t wait to see what these students will come up with.”

Here’s how to enter the Recipe for Success Contest:

• Grab a group of two to four kids in Grades 4-6.
• Create the most outrageous, nutritious and delicious sandwich.
• Make a video – up to three minutes in length – demonstrating how to make the sandwich.
• Submit the video  by March 14, 2014.
• Visit wpgfdn.org/recipe-for-success for complete contest details. Read More →

Red River College plays a supporting role in the new Winnipeg comedy series debuting online tomorrow at winnipegfreepress.com/windcity

On January 7, the first Winnipeg-centric, locally-produced digital sitcom hits the airwaves. What started as one person’s idea to celebrate Winnipeg as a city and boost local pride has grown into something much bigger. Season 1 of WindCity finds a man embarking on a mission to reclaim his business and the love of his life — only to find inspiration in the most unlikely place.

Kyle Nobess plays “Sam” an RRC Student.

WindCity character Sam Fortier is a Red River College student interning at the RBC Convention Centre. Sam (played by Kyle Nobess) is a proud Métis and an energetic, passionate, ever-helpful goofball. He always speaks his mind and gets away with it because of his positive disposition. Sam is a leader on campus, and has made himself the unofficial welcoming committee to RRC’s international students. Sam loves Winnipeg, and is happy to show off his pride – as well as his famous jigging skills, which can be viewed here.

“Red River College is proud to be a partner in this innovative local project,” says Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO of Red River College. “RRC’s character in the series is a fun representation of a student on campus and we believe our exposure in the show will showcase some of RRC’s best assets, such as our brand new student residences in the heart of the Exchange District.”

“This is truly Winnipeg’s series and we’re happy to have so many local stars supporting it, both on camera and behind the scenes,” says Creator and Producer Paul Vieira. “The excitement has been building during production and we look forward to the public’s reaction when it finally launches.”

WindCity’s cast includes: Adam Hurtig (as Dylan), Rebecca Gibson (as Kate), Sierra Noble (as Switch), Kyle Nobess (as Sam), Sarah Constible (as Julia), Trish Cooper (as Loni Chase), Ali Tataryn* (as Morgan), Karl Thordarson* (as Duke) and Abbey Thickson (as Olivia).

*RRC Grads

Take a minute and enjoy the trailer for Season 1 of WindCity.

By Stacy Cardigan Smith (Creative Communications, 2006)

One of Red River College’s newest counsellors is a long-standing pillar in the local LGBT* community – and now his involvement and support has been recognized with an award from Manitoba’s LGBT* Chamber of Commerce.

Chad Smith, who joined Red River College in late August, was given the Community Leader Award during the LGBT* Chamber’s Annual Business Awards in late October. The award recognizes an individual, business or organization that has made a significant, long-term contribution to Manitoba’s LGBT* communities.

“It was amazing,” Smith says of the award. “It’s very nice to be recognized for the work and the contributions you do because that’s not why we do it. We don’t do it to be awarded, so to have something like that happen is very flattering and honouring and humbling.”

Prior to joining RRC, Smith spent four years as executive director with Rainbow Resource Centre, a not-for-profit providing support, education, programming and resources to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and two-spirit communities of Manitoba and North Western Ontario.

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For the first time ever, the students of Red River College’s Disability and Community Support program, together with the Diversity and Immigrant Student Support department, have joined forces to create awareness about the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

In 2010, Canada became a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Dec. 3 is a day of celebration where we acknowledge the ever-increasing recognition of the human rights of persons with disabilities.

The government of Manitoba is about to pass accessibility legislation (Bill 26), which is a significant step toward eliminating barriers, in terms of both physical access and economic opportunity. These decisions show real progress toward greater inclusion for people with disabilities.

This day, however, also reminds us there are still many barriers that need to be broken in terms of education, employment, healthcare, transportation, housing and social support systems. At present, many persons with disabilities in Manitoba still experience marginalization or exclusion from the activities of daily life. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce it has been named one of Manitoba’s Top 25 Employers for the fourth year in a row. 

“It truly is an honour for the College to be recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers once again,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO, Red River College. “Our most important asset is our people, hence the development of a comprehensive People Plan created to foster a culture in which all 2,500 staff feel connected and supported by the organization. We’re an employer of choice in Manitoba and I am proud to say that we have been one for 75 years.”

This comprehensive human resources strategy has made RRC an employer of choice through a variety of initiatives related to recruitment, retention, professional development, succession, total rewards, labour relations and organizational effectiveness.

RRC provides exceptional benefits, such as: three weeks of vacation for new employees; maternity top-up payments; a defined benefit pension plan; a flexible health care plan; and an on-site daycare. The College was also recognized for its efforts to improve environmental sustainability, which earlier this year earned a designation as one of Canada’s 50 Greenest Employers for 2013.

“Having a positive work environment offers many benefits,” said Forsyth. “It makes us more competitive in recruiting new talent. It reduces staff turnover and it improves productivity because satisfied employees who feel empowered in their roles are a lot more enthusiastic about their work. It also creates an environment in which people know they are a significant and vital part of an organization committed to excellence.”

Red River College has nine campuses and annually sees more than 30,000 enrolments in over 200 full-and part-time degree, diploma, post-degree and certificate programs. Through award-winning instruction and training on state-of-the-art equipment, RRC prepares its students to become leaders in their fields, while partnering with industry to conduct research and ensure curriculum remains up-to-date.

See the full story from the Winnipeg Free Press.

At a special plaque unveiling, Red River College honoured Maxim Truck & Trailer’s partnership with Red River College with the naming of a classroom.

The Maxim classroom signifies the long standing partnership between Maxim Truck & Trailer and Red River College which includes support of Alumni and student success and a generous $100,000 pledge to the Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre in 2012.  Maxim President, Doug Harvey served as the Capital Campaign Chair of the HETC fundraising campaign and through his network was able to assemble a group of industry representatives to aid in supporting this project. Mr. Harvey has been a driving force in the success of the activities related to the campaign that will benefit apprentices and the industry for years to come.

Pictured L-R: President Maxim Trucking Inc. Mr. Doug Harvey & President and CEO, RRC Mrs. Stephanie Forsyth.

“Doug Harvey’s contributions to Red River College and to various causes and organizations demonstrate what an incredible philanthropist and friend he is to the Manitoba community,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO, Red River College. “With his passion for the transportation industry, Doug Harvey has been one of the most influential reasons for industry engagement in this monumental project that has allowed the realization of a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art technical training centre.”

“The importance of Heavy Duty Technicians to our business cannot be overstated,”said Doug Harvey, President, Maxim Truck & Trailer.  “We are proud to support a first-class training centre at Red River College that helps promote, attract and train heavy duty technicians for the transportation industry.”

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Red River College is pleased to be an integral part of building Manitoba’s workforce needs today and for the future.

“Red River College is a compelling first choice for post-secondary education; a critical source of knowledge and training and one of Canada’s Top 10 research colleges,” said Red River College President and CEO, Stephanie Forsyth. “We applaud the government’s decision to issue a tender to build a new state-of the-art Skilled Trades and Technology Centre that will be housed at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus.”

“Business and industry are key partners in RRC’s success,” said Forsyth. “This new facility will be one of the most advanced in the country and we look forward to the opportunities it will provide to Manitoba students and employers.”

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Solar Trough located at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus

Red River College has been ranked seventh out of 50 Canadian research colleges and polytechnics, having posted $4.37 million in research income during the 2012 fiscal year. The ranking is based on the inaugural Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges List, released Oct. 23 by Research Infosource Inc.

“This is excellent validation for the College,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO of RRC. “Colleges and polytechnics play a key role in research and innovation in our country. Today’s announcement demonstrates our growth and ever-increasing engagement with industry, while further establishing us as a top-performing Canadian college and polytechnic and a strategic research partner for businesses.”

Major areas and initiatives supported by the research funding included improvements to the energy performance of commercial and industrial buildings, technology and training for Manitoba’s aerospace and manufacturing industries, and testing and demonstration of electric vehicles.

Much of the research leverages the province’s harsh climate to conduct practical research and testing to solve real-world problems faced by Manitoba industries and communities, while also producing innovative solutions that can have an impact on the lives of all Canadians. Read More →