The Vehicle Technology Centre (VTC) is hosting a showcase event at RRC Polytech to connect students and potential employers in Manitoba’s heavy vehicle and equipment (HEV) manufacturing sector.

Representatives from over a dozen companies are eager to show off the massive and powerful products they produce locally and explain the amazing opportunities that exist in developing the technology that supports this 2.4-billion-dollar sector of the provincial economy.       

Learn about multiple potential career paths within the industry that give students the option to pursue working in a wide variety of areas from engineering and manufacturing to business administration and product design.

All students are welcome and encouraged to stop by the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre building throughout the day to check out the displays and heavy machinery and make valuable connections.

• Get hands-on with Manitoba-made heavy vehicles and equipment 
• Learn about amazing technology being developed in our province 
• Meet industry leaders
• Explore career options in the HEV sector
• Submit a resume

When:

Thursday, September 12, 2024

9:00 am – 3:00pm

Where:

Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre

Building Z – Notre Dame Campus – RRC Polytech

2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9

At RRC Polytech, we want everyone working, learning and visiting our campuses to feel and be safe, which is why we have a comprehensive safety strategy in place. At the Exchange District Campus, a vital part of our safety strategy has been leveraging the dedication and great work by our RRC Polytech Security team and collaborating with the Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP). 

The DCSP is a non-profit organization for the purpose of enhancing the safety, health, and wellbeing of all those who live, work, learn and enjoy the downtown. This also includes providing proactive, non-emergency response, outreach, and intervention to those experiencing complex issues in Winnipeg’s downtown. 

Enhancements to our existing partnership include collaborating with additional community groups –   Bear Clan, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CARHD), N’dinawemak, and OPK Manitoba – to ensure the right resources are available at the right time. This means that there are additional supports and access to resources for students, staff, visitors as well as community members.  

RRC Polytech is a central hub within DCSP’s patrol Zone 2 and therefore a space within the Roblin Centre has been designated for DCSP, community partners and RRC Polytech security personnel to do daily briefings, ensuring emerging safety concerns or issues are addressed in a timely manner. All partners communicate through a shared radio channel, leading to an improved incident response time. 

Having a dedicated space for DCSP and community patrol partners to be stationed on campus will help ensure members of the community can get the right supports they need, providing the RRC Polytech Security team with more capacity to support the College community – staff, faculty and students. Our Security team will primarily patrol within the three campus buildings – Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Paterson GlobalFoods Institute and the Roblin Centre – and DCSP alongside community partners will patrol campus grounds and the entirety of Zone 2, supporting within campus buildings as needed. 

RRC Polytech security offices are open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, and with the support of DCSP and community partners, EDC campus grounds are patrolled 24-hours a day.  

On the Exchange District Campus and the surrounding area, if you see a DCSP Ambassador nearby, they are here to assist you and everyone who makes up the downtown Winnipeg community. DCSP also hosts regular walks on Wednesdays and are open to anyone and any organization wanting to attend. To sign up for a walk and learn about upcoming events, check their social media channels @WinnipegDCSP. 

While RRC Polytech’s expanded partnership with DCSP is made possible through funding for this summer’s Downtown Safety Action Plan, it will move forward into the beginning of fall. Beyond this time, we will continue to collaborate with DCSP and community organizations to support one another and prioritize the safety of staff, students, visitors on campus. 

As we begin the Fall Term, it’s a good time for a reminder about the safety and security services on campus, and how you can access them.  

Safe Walk and Safe Ride services provide escorts for students, staff and visitors between two points at the Notre Dame Campus or Exchange District Campus, or to a point near the College (including parking lots.)  

To contact the patrol, pick up a Safe Walk or Safe Ride phone located across campus, or call: 

• Exchange District Campus – 204-949-8305 
  • DCSP can also be called directly at 204-947-3277 or 211 for Safe Walks 

• Notre Dame Campus – 204-632-2323  

If you witness or are experiencing a safety concern, call or visit Security on campus. RRC Polytech security personnel will address and direct your concern as needed. For example, connecting with the DCSP front line team to provide support to vulnerable community members.  

• Exchange District Campus Security Contact Info: 
  • The Roblin Centre, Room P106, Phone: 204-949-8305 
  • Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, Room 100, Phone: 204-631-3381 

• Notre Dame Campus Security Contact Info: 
  • Room C115, Phone: 204-632-2323 

In June, six international students at the Steinbach regional campus were given bicycles to help them travel to and from their work placements over the summer.

Geoff Heath, Environmental Initiatives Coordinator at RRC Polytech, got involved with this project when on a site visit to the Steinbach campus. He heard some of the students could benefit from having access to bikes from Regional Campus Manager, Sheri Stoupe, and Student Success Coach, Syd Shukla-Bergen. Steinbach doesn’t have public transportation and some students’ only means of getting around was walking everywhere they went.

With Geoff’s background as Education Director of The WRENCH in Winnipeg, he knew exactly where to go to get the bikes they needed. The half-dozen used bikes chosen needed a little love, so Geoff, along with another staff member, fixed them up to be ready to ride.

He then brought the bikes out to Steinbach and connected Sheri, Syd, and the students with their local community bike shop, La Bikequerie, to set up a bike maintenance session so the students could learn how to best care for their new-to-them bikes.

The local Canadian Tire also donated helmets and locks to ensure the students could bike safely and keep their bikes secure wherever they go.

The students were excited to receive their bikes – some of them re-learning after not having ridden a bike for many years. One student, Urvashi Sharma, said using the bike has cut down their commute time from 45 minutes by walking to 10-15 minutes by bike to get to their job.

Kim Koop, staff member at RRC Polytech’s Steinbach campus, and a resident of Steinbach, often sees the students riding their bikes. She said, “It is wonderful to see the international students using their bikes to get around.”

As part of the sustainability team at RRC Polytech, Geoff hopes to encourage a “culture of repair” – one where we learn the value of repairing what we have rather than buying new. A new bike can be expensive to buy, but a used one with a few parts to make it work like new is a low monetary cost and a low environmental cost – and is more accessible to many folks who cannot spend hundreds of dollars on a new bike.

“Access to transportation is something that the Sustainability Office advocates for, and in some cases, options can be limited,” said Geoff. “Cycling can be a new option for some that is cost effective and sustainable. Our office is happy to support these choices and connect students and staff with community resources just as we did for these students in Steinbach.”

Sustainability is one of the six values the guides RRC Polytech forward. Learn more about the Sustainability Office and how they can support you in making sustainable choices.

Due to a Manitoba Hydro power outage, RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus, morning classes will be cancelled. Manitoba Hydro anticipates power will be back on by 10:30am and we will provide an update at 9:30am to the College community.

We anticipate a resumption of in-person classes beginning again at 11:00am.

The campus remains open and if you are already on Campus, please do not use the elevator at this time. If you need assistance or support, please visit the Security Services team in the C Building.

Staff at NDC should work directly with their Manager to determine work arrangements during the power outage.

All other RRC Polytech Campuses are unaffected by this outage and will maintain regular operations and activities.

When the Blue and Gold called with an exciting opportunity to participate in a culinary competition, RRC Polytech answered. Melissa Hryb, Culinary Arts instructor, who is no stranger to competitions, knew her first-year students were up to the challenge of competing in this year’s Taste of the Blue Bombers: A Gourmet Tailgate.

Typically, Culinary Arts students participate in work-integrated learning in the fall of their second term, but equipped with support from Melissa and fellow instructors, Chantalle Noschese and Mandy Wingert, first-year students Shams Alam, Bianca Alfonso, Kristine Ebero, Matteo Clayton, Augmignonne (Meg) Dimatulac, Will Earle, Kaixiang (Eric) Huang, Jianhua (Sherry) Huang, Dominic Ladyka, and Mingye (Mary) Ma set their sights on the podium at Princess Auto Stadium as the only student team participating against 12 local restaurants and bakeries.

“I wanted my students to see that while competitions can be intense, they’re also really fun and rewarding,” said Melissa.

With the theme of “tailgating” students spent two days chopping and prepping for their culinary creation – barbecue pulled pork with crispy onions and loaded baked potato salad, topped with an RRC Polytech paprika tuile. Everything was handcrafted from scratch, including a signature barbecue sauce and the tuile topper – a fancy cracker – was made using a custom 3D-printed mould.

On May 23, 600 hungry guests circled the stadium with their Taste of the Blue Bombers passports in hand, stopping by each station to sample signature dishes. After sampling, guests scanned a QR code to vote for the fan-favourite dish in the restaurant or bakery category.

The event was an opportunity for students to share their signature pulled pork dish with guests, tour the stadium’s kitchen, and meet chefs working in the industry.

“It’s always beneficial for students to get outside the lab and be immersed in hands-on learning in community. The competition also gave the 10 student participants the chance to meet alumni and their future industry colleagues,” mused Melissa.

While it was a long day, starting around 8:00 a.m., all students were nothing but smiles after their signature dish was a touchdown, taking the top spot as the fan-favourite dish in the restaurant category.

“Taking home a win was great, but the true cherry on top for me was seeing my students growing more confident in themselves, interacting with guests, and still smiling as we loaded up dirty dishes at 9:30 p.m.”

RRC Polytech prepares the next generations of influencers in the fields of culinary arts and professional baking. Learn more about the Culinary Arts, Professional Baking and Pastry and Culinary Skills programs at rrc.ca/explore/culinary

On June 18, Southport Aerospace Centre hosted the fourth annual Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Day at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)’s Stevenson Southport Campus. The day included seven sessions for 240 grade eight students from Portage School Division, Sandy Bay First Nation, and Long Plain First Nation.

The students split into morning and afternoon sessions where they learned from experts who work in aircraft maintenance about aircraft hydraulic systems, the importance of daily inspection, what makes planes fly, and more. They also got to participate in simulators where they learned how to maintain a helicopter in the “hover” position.

This is the fourth annual AME day introducing grade 8 students to the world of aircraft maintenance and demonstrating the rewarding careers students could experience one day.

Students were also treated to hearing the story of a recent RRC Polytech grad, Riley Kintscher. He attended the first AME Day event in 2018 and was inspired by the speaker he heard that day so much that he decided to pursue a career in aviation and aerospace. This spring Riley graduated from the Apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer program and is now employed by Canadian Helicopters Limited. Riley was a part of this year’s AME Day, inspiring other young minds to consider following in his footsteps.

The Apprenticeship Aircraft Maintenance program is designed to help students attain Transport Canada approved training status, 48 months of aviation maintenance work experience, and three technical examinations required to obtain an AME license.

AME Day 2024 was another great success and thanks to the expert instruction of their session leaders, students left with the knowledge of the incredible opportunities that await them should they choose to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industry, and how local training through RRC Polytech can help support them.

For more information about the AME Program, visit our catalogue.

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.

Unique incubator offers resources, expertise, to support and accelerate economic reconciliation and drive innovation in Manitoba 

Winnipeg, MB on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – With the generous support of Prairies Economic Development Canada, the Province of Manitoba, TD Bank Group, and Canada Life, RRC Polytech unveiled its new Indigenous Entrepreneurship Acceleration and Incubation Initiative, Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah (Mittohnee) in the Roundhouse of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae – the College’s downtown hub for technology, collaboration and community. A first of its kind in Manitoba, Mittohnee transforms experiential learning, entrepreneurship and innovation into business opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba.  

“Creating opportunities to advance Indigenous entrepreneurship is a role that RRC Polytech must play as we continue to support student success in Manitoba,” says Jamie Wilson, Vice-President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development at RRC Polytech.

“Lifelong learning is second nature and something we pass down from generation to generation. Mittohnee Pogo’otah (Mittohnee) is such a lesson, one my father learned in his youth from an older member of our community on a hunting trip. It means ‘If you are going to do it, do it right. If you don’t know how to do it right, learn how.’ This is where we can bring together the discipline and innovation to learn how.”  

Mittohnee helps Indigenous students start their own businesses as they graduate out of RRC Polytech’s entrepreneurship-based program – Social Innovation and Community Development. It does this by connecting them with a network of resources and expertise focused on process, people, leveraging existing capacity and addressing relevant recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. It also supports established Indigenous entrepreneurs or band-operated businesses looking to pivot, scale up or enter new joint ventures by serving as an independent third party with experience in this space. 

RRC Polytech’s ability to remove barriers and create better access for Indigenous entrepreneurs to become successful and drive the province forward is made possible by the power of partnership – between the College, federal and provincial governments, and generous corporate partners.     

“Through Mittohnee, we will create the space and provide the right resources and mentorship to help transform the business ideas Indigenous students develop in the classroom into successful ventures that can positively impact their community,” says Wilson. “This is a uniquely Manitoba example of economic reconciliation in action, and with support from the Province of Manitoba alongside other funders, this will be the first post-secondary institution to offer this unique initiative here in the province.” 

Mittohnee is one of six projects across the province sharing $3.9 million of federal funding toward economic reconciliation and cultural diversity in Manitoba. RRC Polytech received $1.5 million of the total announced on June 25, 2024 by the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Minister of Northern Affairs.  

“Our government is committed to creating economic opportunities and ensuring everyone gets a fair shake. By making strategic investments that support Indigenous entrepreneurship and communities, we open up new opportunities. Today’s investments will provide training and mentorship, assist entrepreneurs to take risks, and help businesses grow,” said Minister Vandal in a government news release. 

The Province’s Department of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation contributed just over $773,000 to help ensure Indigenous students and entrepreneurs have the supports and connections they need to stay in Manitoba to build their careers and their businesses.  

“The Manitoba government is proud to support RRC Polytech’s new incubator and accelerator program for Indigenous students,” said Ian Bushie, Minister of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation. “The Mitthonee Pogo’ohtah program will help Indigenous entrepreneurs make connections with business leaders, drive made-in-Manitoba innovation, and create good jobs.” 

Mittohnee is a natural but significant extension of everything RRC Polytech has to offer, and especially of its experience in supporting Indigenous students and communities with social innovation education and programming. While much of what will be delivered will be based on an extensive stakeholder consultation, the plan currently includes the delivery and/or co-creation of: 

• an entrepreneur-in-residence/mentorship program 
• acceleration services, seminars and networking events
• student competitions
• applied research and innovation projects
• dedicated spaces for meeting and incubation of Indigenous entrepreneurs 

Mittohnee’s first director was announced at the event as well. Amy Jackson, a proud member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, dedicated community connector and entrepreneur who founded Nativelovenotes will lead this new initiative for the College. She has more than a decade of experience working alongside provincial and federal governments in northern Manitoba and through these experiences has deepened her understanding or public service and community advocacy. 

Eighteen Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) students competed at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) on May 30 and 31 in Quebec City.

Out of 550 students from across Canada, they helped put Manitoba in third place overall, with RRC Polytech students being awarded nine of the 29 medals won by Manitobans at the SCNC.

In bricklaying, cabinet making and landscape gardening RRC Polytech students came out on top with gold medals plus silver and bronze medals in the CNC machining, refrigeration, aerospace technology, sheet metal work, and sprinkler fitter categories. A full list of Manitoba medal winners is available on the Skills Manitoba website.

“Our students put hours and hours of time and training preparing for these competitions to refine their craft,” said Scott Savoy, Chair of Construction Trades and Vice President of Skills Manitoba. “We’re so proud of all our students who put themselves out there to compete. It’s not an easy thing to do. Being on the national stage is a big deal and it shows that we are doing here at RRC Polytech is working because our students are performing and bringing home medals to show for it.”

All students who competed in the national competition had won a gold medal at the Manitoba provincial competition held in April.

Congratulations to all the medalists who took to the podium in Quebec City, and to each of the competitors who showcased their talents in their chosen field.

RRC Polytech medalists:

Kayla Wieler, Landscape Gardening (2) (PS), GOLD

Jacob Abbey, Landscape Gardening (2) (PS), GOLD

Jackson Bear, Bricklaying (PS), GOLD

Derrick Penner, Bricklaying (PS), GOLD

Kai Johnson, CNC Machining (PS), SILVER

Brett Mitchell, Sheet Metal Work (PS), SILVER

Roman Boyechko, Aerospace Technology (PS), BRONZE

Daniel Holmes, Refrigeration (PS), BRONZE

Andrew Bartel, Sprinkler Fitter (PS), BRONZE

A message from Fred Meier, RRC Polytech President and CEO to All Staff and Students on National Indigenous Peoples Day:

With the academic term wrapping up and as we head into summer, the halls on campus are starting to feel quieter. The days have been getting longer, with today being the longest day of the year and the official start of summer – tonight’s full moon is known by many traditional Indigenous calendars as the Strawberry Moon. 

National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated today, June 21st, honours the rich cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples all over Turtle Island. June is National Indigenous History Month, dedicated to recognizing and learning about the heritage, achievements, and diversity of Indigenous peoples across the nation. 

Even though we are always looking for ways to celebrate Indigenous excellence year-round, June and the summer solstice are perfect opportunities to share and celebrate Indigenous excellence all over Turtle Island, in our communities, and at the College. 

Today, we’re hosting a celebration at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae to receive a Dakota name, gifted by Koonshi Ivy Chaske, to rename the Agora. Kooshni Ivy is a Dakota Grandmother who had joined the Elders-in-Residence program at RRC Polytech in 2023. This is an exciting time as we welcome the Dakota language into our space and continue our mission to elevate and celebrate Indigenous languages. 

In May, the School of Indigenous Education launched a pilot Anishinaabemowin Immersion Camp in which staff had the opportunity to prepare the Sundance grounds for Ceremony. For three weeks staff were immersed in Anishinaabemowin and Anishinaabe worldviews, teachings and culture with guidance from instruction Corey Whitford and Elder-in-Residence Paul Guimond. 

This month, RRC Polytech is waiving the application fee and seat deposit for all self-declared First Nations (Status and non-Status), Métis and Inuit applicants for all programs and all intakes. This initiative is part of RRC Polytech’s ongoing strategy to reduce barriers to education for Indigenous learners, and the pilot launch in June is just one way we’re creating tangible impacts for Indigenous communities and living our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. As of today, nearly 300 applications have been received by Indigenous learners from all over Manitoba and beyond. Students that receive offers through this initiative will also have the seat deposit waived to ensure a smooth acceptance process. 

As we approach the second half of the year, I encourage you to take the opportunity to join in any of the celebrations hosted by Indigenous communities around the city and beyond:  

• Wa-Say Healing Centre is hosting its third annual Pow Wow at The Forks, with Grand Entry starting at 12pm;  
• The Manitoba Metis Federation is hosting a pancake breakfast and barbecue in Selkirk Park in Selkirk, along with all-day entertainment and a Red River Métis market; 
• Manitoba Theatre for Young People is hosting an afternoon of storytelling at Native Youth Theatre, including storybook reading and a Cree language lesson;  
• Circles for Reconciliation is hosting its second annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Tommy Sergeant Prince Place with a Sharing Circle, artisan market, and entertainment;  
• APTN and Festival du Voyageur are hosting TOOT AASAAMB at the Sculpture Garden at 233 Provencher Boulevard in St. Boniface to highlight to diversity of Francophone and Indigenous artists. 

And around Manitoba,  

• The Northwest Métis Council is hosting a celebration at the Métis Community Centre in Dauphin;  
• the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre is hosting a celebration at the Rotary Park in Flin Flon, featuring a headline performance by REZ BOYZ;  
• The Riverton & District Friendship Centre is hosting a celebration featuring singing and jigging; 
• The Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon is hosting a Pipe Ceremony at 10am to kick off its all-day celebration;  
• The Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre in Swan River is hosting a Sunrise Ceremony at 5am followed by an all-day celebration; 

…And many more events can be found on the Government of Canada’s website with the search term ‘Manitoba.’ 

Thank you, and please enjoy a beautiful National Indigenous Peoples Day! 

Take care, 

Fred