From left: RRC apprentices Steven Doerksen, Mike Baker, Alicia Demare, Marc Lindenberg, Marcus Dyck and Julia Schroeder, at the AWMAC Apprenticeship Cabinetmaking Competition.

Congratulations to RRC alum Julia Schroeder (Cabinetry and Woodworking Technology, 2012), a Level-3 apprentice who took top honours in last weekend’s Architectural Woodworking Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) Apprenticeship Cabinetmaking Competition.

Held Sat., March 22 at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus, the contest tasked six RRC apprentices with constructing a detailed millwork project over nine hours.

Apprentices arrived at the contest site to find a set of detailed blueprints and a selection of lumber, panel products, laminates and hardware. Racing against the clock (and each other), they completed their projects just minutes before the nine-hour mark, at which time their entries were judged by attending members of the local millwork community.

“This competition illustrates the growth and development each apprentice goes through during their apprenticeship experience,” says Mike Watson, Chair of Construction Trades at RRC, noting competitors also got a chance to network with visiting industry representatives.

The top competitors took home prize packages (donated by RRC and the AWMAC’s Manitoba chapter) of tools they’ll be able to use in their trade. Schroeder’s project will go on to be judged against other provincial winners at the AWMAC national convention, running May 29 to June 1 in Quebec City.

Congratulations also go out to second-place winner Alicia Demare, and third-place winner Marcus Dyck.

Click here for more info on RRC’s Cabinetry and Woodworking Technology program, and here for more on the AWMAC.

RRC instructor David Blicq (Chemical and Biosciences Technology) talks to students at this year’s Open House event.

Congratulations to the RRC students, staff and instructors recognized by our Open House Secret Shoppers, who went “undercover” at this year’s event in search of examples of exceptional service.

The Secret Shoppers had their eyes peeled for staff and volunteers who went above and beyond in their interactions with Open House visitors, whether by presenting themselves (or their respective programs/departments) in an engaging, approachable manner, or by making efforts to take their tours and conversations to the next level.

Those singled out received complimentary RED Cards; a full list of winners is below. Read More →

From left: AWMAC President Curtis Popel, RRC apprentice Leonard Derksen, and RRC instructor Todd Birtwhistle, at last year’s National Apprenticeship Contest.

Best of luck to the RRC students taking part in this weekend’s Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) Cabinetmaking Apprenticeship competition.

The nine-hour event will unfold at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus this Saturday, during which time eight apprentices will compete for the top spot, and for prizes supplied by AWMAC and RRC’s Cabinetmaking Apprenticeship Fund.

The winner will advance to the nationals, where his or her project will be judged against winning projects from throughout Canada.

Last year’s provincial winner, Leonard Derksen (shown above), went on to take top honours at the National Apprenticeship Contest. The following RRC apprentices are competing in this year’s provincial round:

• Mike Baker
• Alicia Demare
• Travis Devisser
• Marcus Dyck
• Derek Friesen
• Adam Hajkowski
• Marc Lindenberg
• Julia Smith Read More →

Red River College has launched a new website in support of its Technology Access Centre (TAC) initiative, serving aerospace and manufacturing organizations at home and abroad.

Funded in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC’s) Community and College Innovation Program, the TAC supports both large and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing enhanced access to RRC’s technological assets, subject matter expertise, and specialized facilities and equipment. Organizations benefit by gaining access to technology and expertise that was previously unavailable directly to industry.

The new website provides an industry portal through which aerospace and manufacturing organizations can view RRC’s resources, including: information on full-time student programming (from which they can draw their future workforce), information on hiring co-op students and interns, information on facilities and equipment available to assist them in projects, and information on how the College can support industry through applied research, technical services and training activities.

The site also highlights success stories and student projects, along with an events calendar listing upcoming seminars and events, and an area for posted tips and tricks helpful for practitioners in the workplace.

“This new website continues to promote the valued partnership we have with companies like StandardAero and our industrial campus, the Centre for Aerospace Technology and Training (CATT),” says Don MacDonald, Dean of RRC’s School of Transportation, Aviation and Manufacturing. “This new resource will ultimately mean more opportunities for industry, and for our students studying in these areas.”

Visit the new website to learn more about the Technology Access Centre.

Join us at the 2014 Rotary Career Symposium, taking place Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19 at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.

Explore the hundreds of full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate programs available at RRC. Instructors and academic advisors will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight on the many career and educational options awaiting RRC students.

Billed as the largest and most comprehensive career symposium in Canada, the Rotary event runs 9am-3pm and 6-9pm on Tuesday, and 9am-3pm on Wednesday.

This year’s theme is “Your Future Trending”; click here for more information, including exhibitor and speaker lists, and registration forms.

Profile by Stacy Cardigan Smith (Creative Communications, 2006)

A new Corydon Avenue men’s boutique is re-imagining the Winnipeg shopping experience, thanks in part to one graphic designer’s eye for detail.

Amanda Remond, along with boyfriend Chris Saniuk, owns Normandy, which opened last November and carries upscale menswear, housewares and lifestyle goods. Remond, 22, completed nearly two years of Red River College’s Graphic Design program; she accepted a job offer before graduating, but says her design training is part of what’s helping the store create a buzz.

“I am a designer,” says Remond. “That’s how I identify myself, so everything I do, I try and do it with a certain esthetic.”

Remond describes the store’s style as “high-quality heritage.” As you might expect from a boutique, the clothes are all hand-picked and each item is given the display space it deserves. Favourites include Gitman Vintage shirts ($165 each) and Red Wing boots (ranging from $270-$390 a pair). But it’s not just what’s for sale that counts; the physical shop and its social media presence play a big part in the store’s appeal.

“We just want it to feel like you’re walking into someone’s living room,” says Remond of the shop.

Maybe so, but this isn’t your average living room. With the exposed brick, reclaimed wood, a concrete floor and vintage and mid-century modern furniture, it’s a lot like a trendy Exchange District loft.

While Saniuk renovated the physical space, Remond tailored the store brand. What resulted is a fresh esthetic that’s steeped in history – and reflects Remond’s definition of good design.

“As little design as possible. Something that is simple but still translates a strong message. And is just clean and the bare necessities… Design that makes sense.” Read More →

Red River College student Andrew McLean, a former soldier with a long history of philanthropy, will be honoured this month by Macdonald Youth Services for his commitment to making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.

McLean, currently in his second year of RRC’s Disability and Community Support program, will be honoured with MYS’s prestigious Sir Hugh John Macdonald Memorial Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate values of respect and fairness towards youth, and practical assistance in helping them develop life skills for a better tomorrow.

In addition to fundraising for such charities as Children’s Hospital and The Terry Fox Foundation over the years, McLean is also the co-founder of Soldier On, a program that employs sports and athletic therapy to help rehabilitate Canadian soldiers suffering from physical and psychological injuries.

A former warrant officer who retired from the Canadian Forces after 22 years of service, McLean recently donated $25,000 of his own money to start the Canadian Torch Foundation, which provides annual scholarships and awards to students with physical or developmental disabilities across Canada.

McLean is well-known to MYS — for years, he’s been donating new winter clothing and backpacks filled with gifts for those staying at the organizations Youth Resource Centre/Shelter.

He’ll be honoured at MYS’s annual Spring Fling, taking place Thursday, March 20 at Paterson GlobalFoods Institute. The event raises money for MYS’s Education Trust Fund; tickets are $100 per person.

Visit the MYS website for more information, or to purchase a ticket or make a donation.

Evan Walker (left) and Brittany Adrian, who were named Playoff MVPs at the 2014 MCAC Basketball Championships.

A special double-congratulations to the members of the RRC Rebels Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, on their double-gold performances at last weekend’s MCAC (Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference) Championships.

The Men’s squad brought home their sixth straight MCAC title, edging out Canadian Mennonite University by a score of 78-76. The Women’s team scored their third consecutive title, dominating Providence University College to the tune of 69-29.

Rebels Evan Walker (guard) and Brittany Adrian (forward) were named Playoff MVPs. Click here for additional tournament details.

Red River College has launched its first international pathway program in India.

The new initiative will allow students at the Xplora Design Skool (XDS) in Ahmedabad, India to receive an International Diploma in Digital Media Design. Students will take their first year of studies at XDS and will be granted direct admission to RRC following the successful completion of Year One.

Students aren’t required to complete their second year at Red River College; however, the option exists and is advantageous, as Canada has many engaging and emerging opportunities for digital media designers.

“This partnership is important for moving our strategy to create opportunities for global engagement, and it opens the doors for students from India to learn cutting-edge skills in Canada,” says Christine Crowe, vice-president of community development at RRC. “The new program showcases RRC and Manitoba as a world-class education destination for students.”

As part of the new program, RRC has sent Chris Brower, program coordinator for the College’s Digital Media Design program, to facilitate a train-the-trainer workshop for instructors at XDS. Part of Brower’s visit will include an overview of DMD, as well as available career opportunities and information about Manitoba. Read More →

Keep your eyes peeled for a brand new advertising campaign positioning Red River College as a compelling first choice for education.

The newly-launched, province-wide bus and billboard campaign achieves a number of key goals – chief among them that of celebrating our graduates and their success stories, while at the same time showing prospective students all that can be accomplished with an RRC education.

The campaign also strengthens partnerships with the countless employers who hire RRC grads, identifies programs and industry areas that may be of interest to prospective students, and showcases RRC’s core strengths, including employment success and employer satisfaction rates.

The billboards feature 27 RRC alumni, and will be visible for 12 weeks (March 3-May 25, 2014).

See the campaign in its entirety →