Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – This evening, 170 nursing graduates from RRC Polytech are being given their pins and being inducted into the nursing profession. The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre and nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend.

The class of 2024 is the largest nursing class to graduate since the pandemic, consisting of three cohorts coming from the Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg, and the Winkler and Portage campuses. During their practicum placements many of these nurses worked in rural and remote communities, as far south as Altona and Killarney, and as far north as Pimicikamak Cree Nation.

“We’ve heard from the placement hosts that they can’t wait for our students to become members of their working teams,” said Lesley McGuirk, Associate Dean of Nursing. “This is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the profession. Not just to do well in school and put the skills they’ve learned at RRC Polytech to use, but to make an impact wherever they are for patients and their fellow healthcare professionals. We are extremely proud of each of the 170 graduates today.”

“RRC Polytech is proud to be one of the largest trainers of health care professionals in the province,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Healthcare employers and patients across Manitoba know they can count on our graduates to provide compassionate and needed care and this cohort of graduates is going to exemplify this throughout their careers.”

Nurses are a crucial force in patient care and these new nurses receiving their pins today are now ready to work in Manitoba, filling vital positions, supporting healthcare systems in communities throughout Manitoba, and ensuring the best care is available for those seeking it.

“A strong healthcare system begins with a strong workforce, and nurses are at the core of that” said Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, Uzoma Asagwara. “Every nurse makes the choice to spend their career caring for others. I want to thank every new graduate from RRC Polytech’s program for making that choice and wish you all the best as you start on this path.”

Each grad has their own story for entering the profession and many of them have already entered the workforce post-graduation. Brett Smith is now working in HSC Trauma Surgery GD3, and Tiana Wyryha is working in Children’s Emergency where she did her senior practicum. They are two graduates with different backgrounds but the same passion to make a difference.

“Becoming a nurse was not always what I had planned for myself. My life experiences brought me to the nursing program at the age of 30, seeking a career that provides me with more fulfillment and purpose which is exactly what I found in the nursing program,” said Smith. “The nurturing environment created by both staff and fellow students at RRC Polytech has truly inspired my growth.”

“From a young age I’ve always known I’ve wanted to become a nurse. Being able to help those in need is such a rewarding experience. My biggest inspiration is my mom who’s been nursing for over 30 years,” said Wyryha. “My experience at RRC Polytech was unforgettable. The nursing program is very hands on right from the beginning. Over the past four years I’ve developed many inspirations that connected me with staff and fellow students which I hope to enhance during my nursing career.”

The pins will be given to the graduates by three of their instructors, and representatives from the Manitoba Government, the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, and the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba will be in attendance, in addition to RRC Polytech’s President and CEO, Fred Meier and Acting Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Community Services, Kerri Korabelnikov.

A nursing pin is a badge worn by nurses to identify the nursing school from which they graduated. They are traditionally presented to newly graduated nurses by faculty at a Pinning Ceremony as a symbolic welcome into the profession.

The Bachelor of Nursing (BN) Program at RRC Polytech is a duration of 32 months and runs at the Notre Dame, Portage and Winkler campuses. RRC Polytech also takes several licensed practical nurses (LPNs) into the program each year to get their Bachelor of Nursing degree and become registered nurses (RNs).

For immediate release: August 22, 2024

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – On August 22, 2024, RRC Polytech is hosting a special celebration to recognize the latest cohort of students to earn a Shelter Support Worker micro-credential.

RRC Polytech’s Shelter Support Worker micro-credential program was designed with industry partners to address skill gaps, meet community needs, and improve staffing levels and delivery service in homeless and family violence shelters across the province.
 
The Shelter Support Worker micro-credential program is the first of its kind in Manitoba, and the result of a collaborative effort between the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) and RRC Polytech. It is supported by Women and Gender Equity Manitoba (WAGE).

The Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Manitoba will be among the speakers during the podium presentations and photo-op. Light refreshments will be served.
 
Date:
Thursday, August 22, 2024
 
Time:
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
 
Location: 
Manitou a bi Bii daziigae
319 Elgin Avenue
Roundhouse Auditorium
RRC Polytech Exchange District Campus
 
Agenda:
Podium Presentation/Student Testimonials/Photo-op
 
Speakers:

• The Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Manitoba
• Jill Latschislaw, Director, Business Development, Corporate Solutions, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, RRC Polytech
• Tsungai (Sue) Muvingi, Associate Provincial Coordinator, Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) 
• Nadine Smith, Acting Executive Director, Women and Gender Equity Manitoba
• Nadine Powell, Instructor, RRC Polytech
• Abhijot Kaur Chohan, Student
• Adigun Ifeoluwa, Student
• Lindsay Monkman, Student

Starting next Tuesday, youth ages 9-14 will be attending summer camps at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)’s Notre Dame Campus exploring photography, Indigenous culture, entrepreneurship, transportation technology, baking, and structural design.

This year, the College is offering seven camps – the most ever offered – to 160 campers, the most in RRC Polytech’s history. These hands-on camps are taught by knowledgeable instructors to introduce young people to various trades and career areas.

“Our summer camps are one way we engage youth early and give them an idea of the experiences they could have at RRC Polytech when they start thinking about a career later in their education,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “It is also a way for them and their families to get familiar with us, ask questions, and learn something they maybe didn’t know before. But most of all, the aim is to make sure these kids have a fun and interactive learning experience with a group of their peers.” 

The camps take place throughout July. Media is invited to schedule a time to attend in the timeslots listed below to capture the sessions in action.

When:

Where: RRC Polytech, Notre Dame Campus, 2055 Notre Dame Avenue

Photo opportunities: Kids engaging in trades and other activities

For a full list of camps and their dates, visit the Youth Camps page on the RRC Polytech website.

Thanks to the support of donors, some campers can attend free of charge. A $500,000 gift from the Canerector Foundation, announced earlier this year, will cover the costs of the Girls Exploring Trades and Technology Camp for the next five years, while a $40,000 gift from the Carolyn Sifton Foundation is covering up to 100 registrations for campers who may not otherwise be able to attend. The camp offerings continue to diversify and grow in response to labour market trends and thanks to the support of donors.

RRC Polytech also offers other learning opportunities for youth during the evenings and weekends throughout the year. The Gene Haas Manufacturing Boot Camp introduces grade 7 and 8 students and their parents or guardians to CNC machining, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing, plus robotics and automation. This immensely popular one-day experience recently hosted its 10^th event and surpassed the 360-participant mark in just two years.

For immediate release: March 8, 2024

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis – Tomorrow, Winnipeg youth in grades 7 and 8 will have the opportunity to learn about new manufacturing technologies and try their hand at 3D printing, robotics and more, at the Gene Haas Manufacturing Bootcamp, hosted by Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech).

Bootcampers will learn industry-standard techniques and technologies from instructors and mentors and hear about how their creativity can transfer into a career in manufacturing.

Where: RRC Polytech’s Skilled Trades and Technology Centre (T Building, see map), 2055 Notre Dame Avenue

When: Saturday, March 9, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

• 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.        Speakers: Minister Cable, Fred Meier, and Kevin Johnson (industry partner)
• 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.       Activity #1

Media availability with:

• The Honourable Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training
• Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech
• Bootcampers and their guardians

As Manitoba’s only polytechnic, experiential (hands-on) learning is a key component of RRC Polytech’s educational delivery, providing learners with the technical and practical skills they need before stepping into their first job. The aim of Haas Manufacturing Bootcamps is to create early exposure with youth and their guardians to what a polytechnic education can offer and spark interest in pursuing a career in the manufacturing sector.

The bootcamp will take place in RRC Polytech’s Haas Innovation Lab, outfitted with current and cutting-edge equipment from Haas Automation. The space is used by students in the Manufacturing CAD, CNC Machinist Technician, and CNC Machining and Advanced Technology programs.

Tomorrow’s bootcamp is the second session of 2024, after a successful inaugural year. Select spots are still available for camps in April, May and June. For more information about upcoming Gene Haas Manufacturing Bootcamps, visit rrc.ca.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis – With great energy and enthusiasm, students are returning to Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) campuses across Manitoba beginning today for the start of the fall term, where they will be getting acquainted and celebrating at both College and RRC Polytech Students’ Association led welcoming events scheduled throughout the week.

“The first few days of fall semester always bring a special blend of excitement and anticipation to our campuses. We are excited to welcome new students and returning students as they embark on their own unique academic journeys filled with new discoveries, relationships, and opportunities,” says Dr. Christine Watson, Vice President, Academic at RRC Polytech. “Back-to-school activities are more than just social events; they introduce RRC Polytech’s culture of caring, foster a sense of belonging and help to create an inclusive community to ensure our students have the support and confidence to reach their true potential.”

In an ongoing tradition, members of the College’s Senior Leadership Team will greet students this morning as they arrive at the main entrances of the Notre Dame Campus (NDC) and the Exchange District Campus (EDC). Information booths will be in place throughout the week for students to learn about educational resources and volunteer opportunities, provide additional supports and help guide them around campus.

The RRC Polytech Students’ Association (RRCSA) is hosting Back-to-School Block Parties Monday at NDC and Tuesday at EDC where students, staff, and faculty are invited to enjoy fun activities, music, food, shopping and more.

“The primary goal of the RRC Polytech Students’ Association is to make student life better, and welcoming students back on campus for another exciting year of learning, friendships, and self-discovery is the perfect way for us to introduce ourselves to the incoming student body,” said Jemma Ignacio RRCSA Student Life Director. “These welcoming events are an opportunity to get to become familiar with the campus and better understand the supports and services the RRCSA can offer students along their academic journey.”

The first week of fall classes will wrap up on Friday evening with a spectacular Outdoor Color Party at NDC – a vibrant dance party and exhilarating celebration hosted by the RRCSA and inspired by the joyous festival of Holi. It is open to all staff, students, faculty and their friends and family who are encouraged to dress in white attire to fully embrace the explosion of eco-friendly color powders that symbolize the triumph of good over evil.

Events will return a week later as RRC Polytech celebrates Welcoming Week, an Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada annual campaign to recognize and celebrate the people, places and values that help everyone feel welcome and that they belong in their local community, no matter where they come from. The Centre for Newcomer Integration supported by BMO, located on the second floor of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae on the Exchange District Campus will host various Welcoming Week activities from September 8th – 17^th.

Media are invited and welcome to attend any and all of the Welcome Back to RRC Polytech Activities.

SLT Welcomes Students

Notre Dame Campus

Monday, August 28

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Bus Loop Entrance

West Parking Lot Entrance

Exchange District Campus

Monday, August 28

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Roblin Centre

Manitou a bi Bii daziigae

Back-to-School Block Parties

Notre Dame Campus

Monday, August 28

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

D-E-F Courtyard

Exchange District Campus

Tuesday, August 29

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Elgin Plaza

Outdoor Color Party

Notre Dame Campus

Friday, September 1

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Bus Loop Field (Dalton Cres.)

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – Tomorrow, Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) and RBC are hosting the second annual Reaction by Collision event celebrating Indigenous culture and community.
 
RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Food, Fashion, and Music: An RBC Reaction by Collision Community Event will showcase Indigenous culture and arts in Winnipeg. As part of RRC Polytech’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the event is meant to immerse guests in Indigenous culture, featuring some of the brightest local entrepreneurs, chefs, designers, and performers.
 
Event highlights include haute couture model runway, delectable cuisines from local chefs, a crafter’s market with local artisans, and music provided by Juno-award nominated Indian City.
 
Featured guests include Brownees Urban Bistro, Feast Café Bistro, Olivia Nasikapow, Gayle Grubin, Dawn Harris, Indian City, OGICHIDAA, and many others. To learn more about the feature guests and the event, visit our Indigenous Education page.

What: Indigenous Food, Fashion and Music an RBC Reaction by Collision community event
When: Wednesday, April 19 2023 from 1p.m. to 5p.m.
Where: Manitou a bi Bii daziigae | RRC Polytech – 319 Elgin Avenue

TODAY – Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) invites all staff, students, and community members to the annual Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) Stirling Engine Competition.

The event is the culmination of the first-year Mechanical Engineering Technology students’ hard work as they built their own Stirling engines from the ground up. The students will be demonstrating their engines at the event, and will be judged on aspects like efficiency and aesthetic. 

Named after its inventor, Robert Stirling, the engines work by converting heat energy into mechanical energy.

Date: TODAY, Tuesday, April 18

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Skilled Trades and Technology Centre (STTC) – T Building of RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Avenue)

Photo Opportunity: Media are invited to come out and see the students’ work during judging, which will begin around 1:00 p.m.

Why: The competition has been an annual MET student tradition for about two decades, and it will be the first to be held since COVID-19 restrictions forced the College to put the event on hold.

The competition is an integral part in the learning outcomes for RRC Polytech’s MET students. They gain valuable problem-solving experience ensuring they are ready to tackle any problem they may encounter in the industry.

Contact:

Paolo Gonzales
Communications Intern
204.509.0864
pgonzales2@rrc.ca

TODAY – Thursday, April 13, 2023, Red River College Polytechnic invites all staff, students, and community members to learn about Sikh culture by wearing a turban with pride. Everyone is welcome to attend the event, to ask questions, and to wear a turban for the day. 

The event started in 2014 by business administration student (now RRC Polytech staff) Sukhjot Singh, as a way to educate staff and students who might have questions about his turban but were too afraid to ask. The annual event is now led by the Red River College Polytechnic Students’ Association with support from the College.

Date: TODAY, Thursday, April 13

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Mall Level (basement) of RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus

Why: April is Sikh heritage month, and April 13, 2023 is the first official Turban Day in Manitoba. The annual event in RRC Polytech is celebrating its fifth year and is a way for students from India to share the importance of the turban with the RRC Polytech community.

Diversity is one of the greatest strengths at RRC Polytech, and sharing our cultural diversity creates a welcoming atmosphere to our staff, students, and community members.

Contact:

Paolo Gonzales
Communications Intern
204.509.0864
pgonzales2@rrc.ca

Lauren Parsons
Communications Officer
204.226.4798
lkparsons@rrc.ca

Winnipeg, MB – The bees are back in town and Red River College (RRC) is sweetening the deal for our busy little buddies this year with the addition of a new Pollinator Garden located on the grounds of the Notre Dame Campus. Today, staff, students and members of the media are invited to come and tour the new Pollinator Garden, check out the rooftop hives, and ‘meet the bees’ over the noon hour.

For four years, the College has partnered with Beeproject Apiaries to bring the fascinating world of honeybees, not to mention delicious honey, back to Red River College for students and staff. Urban beekeeping is one of the many innovative and green initiatives offered by the College as a way to engage staff and students in sustainability efforts on campus and at home, and has contributed to the College being named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the ninth straight year.

Because pollination is so important to the sustainability of our sweet friends, this year, under the leadership of our Grounds Department, the College has completed a new Pollinator Garden project.

“Staff and student engagement is critical for the success of any of the sustainability projects that Red River College initiates, and we have seen that many areas of the College eager to get involved and make sustainability a priority within their departments,” said Sara MacArthur, Director of Sustainability at RRC.

“We were fortunate to partner with the Grounds Department, who went over and above to create this beautiful Pollinator Garden at the Notre Dame Campus for everyone – not only our pollinator friends, but also students and staff – to engage with and enjoy.”

The Pollinator Garden is located along the walking path on the South-East grounds of the Notre Dame Campus, and features many diverse species of flowers and plants in order to support as many different pollinators as possible. These include:

• Harebell Flower | Campanula Rotundifolia: Producing bell-shaped flowers that bloom singly or in small clusters, this bluebell can be found in meadows, grasslands, rocky slopes, crevices, alpine areas and sandy shores.
• Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia Hirta: ‘Hirta’ means hairy, referencing the short bristles that cover the leaves and stems. Growing up to 3’ tall on stiff, upright, leafy stems, this flower attracts butterflies and birds the whole way up.
• Giant Hyssop | Agastache Foeniculum: Not only is this flower a favourite with bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, its seeds attract goldfinches! You’ll want to put your nose up to this one to see if you can smell the faint fragrance of anise.

This summer, RRC has three hives installed on the rooftop of the Notre Dame Campus and estimates suggest they could yield up to 100kgs of honey, that will later be sold at the campus stores and College-run farmers’ markets held throughout the year.

Due to logistics around hive access, this session will be open to members of the media who indicate their intention to attend in advance. Please contact Emily Doer edoer@rrc.ca or 204-990-1885 to confirm your attendance.

Winnipeg, MB – Can they build it? Yes, they can – or will soon learn how to, with the help of Red River College’s Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) camp. This week, sixteen girls between the ages of 12-14 will be on campus to try their hand at a variety of different skilled-trades fields, under the guidance of RRC’s industry leading instructors.

Over the next few days, these little learners will be building their very own pipe desk lamp with charging device, and tomorrow, the girls will learning in the College’s new state-of-the-art Skilled Trades and Technology Centre, working in the sheet metal shop and fashioning their copper lampshades. This main project combines a variety of different trade components including carpentry, plumbing / pipe fitting, electrical work, sheet metal and painting. The girls will also be exposed to the welding and outdoor power equipment trades, as well as robotics.

For 13 summers, Red River College has offered the Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) camp as a fun way to introduce young girls to applied skills and technology careers, and encourage them to consider a variety of career choices. The GETT summer camp reinforces the importance of taking science, advanced math subjects and industrial arts in high school by stressing the impact those subjects have on career decisions.

Members of the media are invited to Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00am while the campers work on their pipe desk lamp project in the sheet metal shop. Please contact Emily Doer: edoer@rrc.ca | 204-990-1885 for more information.

For more information on all of the camps being offered at Red River College this summer, visit www.rrc.ca/kidscamps