This story was originally posted on Siemens Canada website on November 3, 2023

Beginning in January 2024, students at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) will have the opportunity to work towards Level One certification in the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program (SMSCP), a globally recognized Siemens’ program. 

Siemens and RRC Polytech announced they have partnered to offer the training to provide students with real-world technical skills, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world of work and developing future talent to support industry in Manitoba. This is the first time Siemens certification programs will be offered in Manitoba.

Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary engineering study of electrical, mechanical, and digital communications systems. Students study hands-on electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, and explore how these disciplines are interconnected and interdependent. Using a systems level approach, students develop both the applied skills and theoretical knowledge to build, troubleshoot and support production and manufacturing. This approach to automation can improve efficiency, productivity, and quality which ultimately decreases time to market. All areas of Manitoba’s growing manufacturing sector will benefit from mechatronics systems; including aerospace, materials processing, machine building, automotive, transportation, building technologies, and mining.

“RRC Polytech is proud to be the first to offer Siemens Level 1 and Level 2 training in Manitoba, which will enhance the skills of the province’s manufacturing sector,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “We have worked closely with manufacturers in Manitoba for our entire 85+ year history and are excited to help the industry move in front of what’s ahead. Manufacturing has increasingly become more advanced and its important for today’s learners to be equipped and ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. I am confident that graduates of RRC Polytech’s Siemens programs will be leading the way.”

The programs will be some the first offerings through the new RRC Polytech’s new Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics. The Price Institute in the Skilled Trades and Technology Centre will house the training facility for students to pursue the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program. Instruction will be provided by RRC Polytech faculty trained by the Siemens Technik Academy in Nuremberg, Germany.

“Finding and retaining skilled talent is a priority for industries across the country,” said Joris Myny, SVP, Digital Industries, Siemens Canada. “Siemens is the only global industrial company to offer a mechatronic certification program, and we’re proud to partner with RRC Polytech to help meet industry demand by training students and upskilling Manitoba’s existing workforce.”

Siemens offers the mechatronic certification program in cooperation with partner colleges and universities throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. RRC Polytech joins a growing group of Canadian higher educational leaders in this international network of advanced technology partners in education and industry. 

About Siemens Canada

Siemens Canada is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose, adding real value for customers since 1912. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power. As of September 30, 2023, the company has approximately 4,200 employees from coast-to-coast and 33 office and production facilities across Canada. 

About Red River College Polytechnic

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research, with more than 200 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate options. Through hands-on and online learning opportunities and state-of-the-art instruction, we prepare our students to become leaders in their fields — while also ensuring they can meet changing industry demands, and contribute to the province’s economic growth.

RRC Polytech and Siemens, a global digital technology leader, have partnered to deliver the first courses and programs available to Manitobans through the College’s new Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics.

The Level 1 Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification program — the first of its kind in Manitoba — is accepting registrations and is open to recent graduates of RRC Polytech’s manufacturing programs, as well as workers in the manufacturing industry who are looking to upskill and reskill. Students who complete the Level 1 program will also have the opportunity to enrol in Level 2 later in 2024.

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On June 28, 2023 history was made at RRC Polytech with the announcement of the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics.

The new institute, which will upskill workers and put Manitoba on the map for manufacturing research and partnerships, was made possible by the incredible generosity of Dr. Gerry Price and Barb Price – through the Price Family Foundation, with additional support from the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada through Prairies Economic Development Canada. 

The Price Institute features a range of new programs and firsts for RRC Polytech, including:

• Two post-graduate diplomas (one in advanced manufacturing, one in mechatronics) that boost the annual graduate output of RRC Polytech’s engineering technology programs by 150 per cent.
• A project space to drive innovation and technology transfer in automation and manufacturing for SMEs and facilitate student-led research activities.
• Flexible, micro-credentialing options to upskill and reskill up to 1,000 employees each year, including Western Canada’s first offering of the internationally recognized and accredited Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (Levels I and II), which kickstarts phase one of the Institute’s launch this fall.
• Manitoba’s first Applied Research Chair in Advanced Manufacturing

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