Electrician student wiring a breaker box at a simulated construction site

Program Explorer

Introduction to Trades

Power your passion and potential. Prepare to transition into an exciting RRC Polytech trades program or start your career.

Explore a variety of rewarding skilled trades by learning in our shop spaces, talking with industry experts and meeting with potential employers.

Introduction to Trades allows you to upgrade your knowledge, build specialized skills and gain direct entry into the RRC Polytech trades program of your choice. As you start paving your career path and begin your lifelong learning journey, you’ll take advantage of the many wrap-around supports provided by the College.

This program heavily emphasizes practical, interactive experiences to build the essential skills you need for employment and further learning. You’ll get an immersive, well-rounded introduction to many rewarding career paths, explore a variety of technical skills, create practical projects in our modern shops and connect with invited speakers, experienced instructors and potential employers. You’ll also prepare yourself academically and enhance your career potential through various learning and workplace skills, including collaboration, note-taking, time management and professional communication.

This experience may also count as credit toward your future trade program and could reduce your first-year course load.

Prepare to enrol in RRC Polytech trades programs including:

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Certificate
  • Program Delivery
    In-person hybrid
  • In-person Locations
    Notre Dame Campus and Interlake and Peguis – Fisher River Campus
  • Intakes
    Fall and Winter
  • Program Length
    5 months
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $3,300 – $3,700
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Direct entry

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

In this preparatory program, you’ll sharpen your technical skills and academic abilities while developing leadership and communication skills and building a professional portfolio of your achievements.

TERM 1

Develop a professional resume and portfolio, learn to safely use advanced tools and improve your computer, math and problem-solving skills.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Automotive technician
  • Carpenter
  • CNC machinist technician
  • Collision repair and refinishing specialist
  • Electrician
  • Heavy duty equipment mechanic
  • Marine and powersports technician
  • Plumber
  • Refrigeration and air conditioning technician
  • Welder
  • Aircraft maintenance engineer
  • Aerospace manufacturing technician
Trades instructor showing student how to connect pipes together

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Welding student working on a piece of metal in a welding lab
Learn specialized skills, like welding, and prepare to enter directly into your trades program of choice.
Instructor holding a toolbox and talking to a student
Build versatile skills like sheet metal manipulation, which is valuable across the HVAC, automotive and aircraft maintenance industries.
Instructor watching two trades students fit pipes together
Learn new skills directly applicable to the workforce or transferrable to the RRC Polytech trades program of your choice.
Instructor and student talking and looking at HVAC system
Collaborate with peers and expert instructors in a safe, respectful team environment to develop crucial communication, time management and collaboration skills.

Graduate Success

Our grads feel confident enrolling in their program of choice at RRC Polytech and are excited to see their hard work fuel their passion. After completing the Introduction to Trades program, you’ll have the math, computer and communication skills you need to succeed across industries.

The statistics below represent the opinions and employment statuses of this program’s recent grads. They were retrieved from the 2019-2020 RRC Polytech Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report.

Students fitting pipes into the frame of a simulated construction site

100% – SATISFIED WITH RRC POLYTECH EDUCATION

Our grads are employed and very satisfied with the training they received in the Introduction to Trades program. Our dedicated instructors are a huge part of that exceptional experience. They care deeply about their students and are happy to work with you one-on-one to explain concepts and share expert insight.

100% – RECOMMEND PROGRAM TO OTHERS

When you successfully transition to a trades program at RRC Polytech, you’ll still be supported by the School of Indigenous Education (SIE) throughout your academic journey.

Students fitting pipes together in a lab
Student wearing safety glasses in a shop working with a large machine

90% – CONSIDER INSTRUCTORS KNOWLEDGEABLE

Our experienced instructors and knowledgeable support staff understand the pressures and stresses of student life. They aim to help you stay focused and organized and achieve a healthy life-school-work balance.

“I would encourage anybody to come down here because if I could plow through the barriers that I did and succeed in the program, anybody can.”

Richard Chisel – Graduate, School of Indigenous Education

“[The program] helped me gain confidence and prepared me for automotive. Now, I’ve graduated from the Automotive Technician [program] with a certificate and I’m continuing on to [pursue a] diploma. I wouldn’t be where I am today without taking Intro to Trades!”

T. Massan- Graduate

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

As a student in the Introduction to Trades program, you are a self-starter, motivated to help others and build your knowledge and skills. You enjoy the challenge of completing complex tasks but also feel comfortable asking for help. You see college as an opportunity to grow as an individual and see learning as both a challenge and a reward.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Challenge-driven
  • Detail-oriented
  • DIYer
  • Ethical
  • Practical

SKILLS

  • Communication
  • Integrity
  • Motivation
  • Reliability
  • Work ethic

INTERESTS

  • Maker
  • Building
  • Construction
  • Trades
  • Apprenticeship
  • Hands-on work
  • Red Seal
  • Manufacturing
  • Entrepreneurship

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

Woman standing on stairs holding certificate

SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

Students outside in a courtyard

LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

Future Student Events

Explore our upcoming information sessions and events to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn more ›