Today, March 25, is National Day of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).

To mark the occasion, we are thrilled to celebrate the winner and runner-up of the RRC Polytech Co-op Student of the Year Award for 2025. These awards recognize two students who demonstrated exceptional growth, leadership, and impact around work experiences both on and off their work terms.

Winner: Wade Robbins

This year’s winner, Wade, utilized his time in the Civil Engineering Technology program to become a true champion for the industry. His initiative to improve WIL extended beyond RRC Polytech as he spent time with the Crocus Plains High School Design Drafting program in Brandon, sharing the value of hands-on experience and encouraging students to pursue careers in building design and construction.

While working with Samson Engineering Inc., Wade thrived under tight deadlines, mastering new 3D rendering software to deliver high-quality results. He then brought these advanced design skills back to the classroom to mentor his peers in the program. Wade’s experience solidified his career path, and he is already planning to build upon his Civil Engineering Technology foundation through RRC Polytech micro-credentials in Revit and AutoCAD.

Runner-Up: Brandi Soloway

During Brandi’s co-op with Pier Solutions, she applied her Civil Engineering Technology studies to take the lead on the company’s expansion drawings, leaving a lasting mark on her employer’s operations.

Brandi chose to push herself by selecting a placement that was outside of her immediate comfort zone. This demonstrated a deep dedication to self-improvement, lifelong learning, and a desire to bridge the gap between her classroom theory and professional industry practice.