RRC Polytech’s Vehicle Technology and Energy Centre (VTEC) are creating a new way to fuel school buses in Winnipeg.

Partnering with Seven Oaks School Division, Noble Northern and the Canadian Shield Foundation, RRC Polytech is leading the Electric School Bus Conversion project, which aims to convert diesel school buses into electric vehicles.

The benefits of converting just one bus in Seven Oaks fleet includes saving up to $11,000 in fuel costs, and reducing 20.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per school year (approximately 39 weeks).

This initiative will also demonstrate the advantages of switching to this technology, such as lower maintenance costs, and elimination of air and noise pollution. Additionally, the project will offer experiential learning opportunities for the students and staff who will work on the conversion process.

“RRC Polytech has been leading the way in EV technology for a number of years and we’re proud to work with our partners to expand the technology to different types of vehicles,” says Jojo Delos Reyes, Research Program Manager at RRC Polytech. “Reducing emissions and sourcing renewable energies for fuel is one of the ways we are hoping to make a positive impact on our environment and create a sustainable future.”

K-12 students who attend school in the Seven Oaks School Division will have the opportunity to learn about climate solutions when they take the bus to and from school, or on field trips.

“Seven Oaks is thrilled to partner with RRC Polytech, and thankful that the Honourable Ed Schreyer (founder of the Canadian Shield Foundation) initiated this project. We teach our students about the need for climate action. We need to walk the walk,” says Brian O’Leary, Superintendent for Seven Oaks School Division.

VTEC and RRC Polytech’s Transportation program department will work together to include student participation on the project and will provide the technical expertise and support for the conversion process. The College will also test and evaluate the performance of the electric buses in its MotiveLab™ facility.

Funding for the project was announced last month through the Manitoba Government’s Conservation and Climate Fund. The Province awarded RRC Polytech $150,000 for this project, and a total of $1.5 million for other projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions and creating green jobs.

RRC Polytech is no stranger to converting electric vehicles. In 2016, VTEC Partnered with Winnipeg Transit, New Flyer Industries and Manitoba Hydro to create an all-electric, zero emission public transit bus and in 2020 launched an Electric Bus Technology course, which focus on battery safety, electrical fundamentals. RRC Polytech also partnered with Frontiers North Adventures in 2021 to create the first EV Tundra Buggy to be used in Churchill, Manitoba.

More information about the project will become available as work begins.

A significant portion of last week’s $3.5 million funding announcement by the governments of Canada and Manitoba to extend the Skills for Success Program, will provide additional support to Red River College Polytechnic’s Nurse Re-Entry program. The Skills for Success Program supports foundational training and adult literacy to ensure Manitobans have the skills required to succeed in a changing economy. Through the project, Manitoba Advanced Education and Training has earmarked more than $2.2 million for the College to continue its role as one of the largest trainers for healthcare professionals in the province.

“This funding will allow RRC Polytech to build upon its proud reputation for training and upskilling frontline care providers by adding to the number of available and prepared nurses in the province,” said Debbie O’Donnell Weigelt, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Community Services at RRC Polytech. “The College is so grateful for our partners in government and across the sector who continue to work together to address the ever-evolving needs of Manitobans.”

RRC Polytech’s Nurse Re-Entry program assists previously registered nurses educated in Canada and internationally to return to active practice. The 14-month training program, delivered primarily in person, is designed to specifically address knowledge gaps in nursing theory, skills and practice standards so that registered nurses can meet current entry level competencies in Manitoba. The final term includes a clinical site practicum to consolidate learning and provide practical experience under present working conditions. The program also serves previously and currently registered nurses for the purpose of professional development.

The Skills for Success Program, launched in 2021, will also support the renewal of Adult Learning and Literacy’s Manitoba Stages Framework content, which guides instruction for adult learners with diverse goals.

The Skills for Success Program provides funding to organizations, employers, provinces and territories to develop assessment and training tools and test, replicate and scale training approaches, with a focus on groups under-represented in the workplace.

Manitoba’s Skills for Success projects will run until March 2024 and will help address Manitoba’s long-term training needs for individuals, including under-represented groups such as youth, newcomers, Indigenous Peoples and people with disabilities.

For more info or to apply to the Nurse Re-Entry program, please visit RRC.ca.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success program, visit  https://canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/skills-success.html. 

For more information on the wide range of labour market services available to Manitobans, visit  https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/ites/index.html.

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) continues to remove barriers for its staff and students when it comes to accessing childcare, while remaining in front of what’s ahead as Manitoba’s largest early childhood education training institution.

As announced in July, the provincial and federal governments have committed to making childcare more available and accessible, through the expansion of child-care spaces and projects in public schools and post-secondary institutions.

Funding provided by the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement will enable RRC Polytech to add 20 additional child-care spots at the Notre Dame Campus’ RRC Early Childhood Centre Inc.

“We know that childcare is a necessity for Canadian families. That is why Canada and Manitoba are making sure that families in Manitoba have better access to early learning and childcare, no matter where they live,” said federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould in a joint news release.

In addition to adding child-care spots, as part of the post-secondary institution expansions, RRC Polytech is one of six sites that will undergo construction of a new innovative learning lab for early childhood education. The new learning lab will enhance experiential training for students in the Early Childhood Education program, so they can learn to create environments that stimulate the intellectual, emotional and social development of young children.

“We know that the lack of childcare can be a barrier in pursuing or furthering an education. The investment will help reduce this barrier by increasing access to childcare for students as well as staff,” said RRC Polytech Executive Director of Academic, Dr. Jeanine Webber. “Funding will also support rich learning opportunities for the next generation of child-care providers, through the creation of a new learning lab on campus.”

Further details about the construction and anticipated opening date for the new early childhood learning lab will be shared as they are available.

For those interesting in pursuing a rewarding career in childcare, RRC Polytech’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workplace program is offering additional, limited seats for Fall 2023. This accelerated program allows experienced child-care assistants working in licensed child-care programs across Manitoba to remain employed while obtaining the specialized skills needed to be an ECE Level II. Learn more and apply for the August 28 program start date at rrc.ca.

Read the full release to learn how the $180 million federal-provincial investment will support public school and post-secondary child-care expansion projects across Manitoba, here.

Yesterday afternoon, twelve outstanding individuals were awarded the highest honour, the Order of Manitoba. Among those invested into the Order of Manitoba were four individuals who each have a special connection to RRC Polytech.

David (Ace) Burpee, Host of the Ace Burpee Show on 103.1 Virgin Radio – Honorary Alumni (2015)

From Cooks Creek, Manitoba, David “Ace” Burpee is the widely recognizable host of The Ace Burpee Show on 103.1 Virgin Radio. A tireless volunteer and mental health advocate, he has championed countless charitable causes and people across the province, using his platform to continuously raise awareness, support and funds for worthy causes.

Read more about Ace

Dr. Gerry Price, Chair and CEO, Price Industries Limited – Donor and long-time RRC Polytech supporter

An accomplished business executive and philanthropist, Gerry Price is chair and CEO of Price Industries Limited, one of the province’s largest private employers. Dr. Price and his family support charities and capital campaigns in Manitoba across many areas including children and families, youth mentorships, education and scholarships, health care and other community-led initiatives.

Most recently, Dr. Price, Barb Price and the Price Family Foundation made a historic $10-million investment in RRC Polytech’s new Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics. Additionally, the Price Family Foundation recommitted more than $500,000 towards student awards and scholarships.

Dr. Richard (Dick) Smith, MD, Nine Circles Community Health Centre – Honorary Alumni (2022)

Dr. Richard Smith is a Manitoba family physician who has dedicated most of his 52-year professional career to saving lives and advocating for those impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Manitoba. He is a leader in the provision of clinical excellence to people often ostracized for their sexual orientation or lifestyle, and established the Village Clinic, which eventually became the Nine Circles Community Health Centre.

Read more about Dr. Smith

Amarjeet Warraich, owner, New Lodge – Alumni

Amarjeet Warraich is a community leader and advocate, particularly in the provision of support to new Indo-Canadian citizens. During his tenure as commissioner of Manitoba’s Human Rights Commission, he oversaw a period of landmark new initiatives in the province including the proclamation of the Manitoba Human Rights Code in 1988, and measures respecting the rights of women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and the LGBT community.

On behalf of RRC Polytech, congratulations to our alumnus, honorary alumni, long-time donor and supporter, and all Order of Manitoba recipients on your outstanding achievements. Read the Province of Manitoba’s release and click here to watch the ceremony.

Over the last ten months, twelve students from Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) have been attending a College Transition program – created in collaboration with RRC Polytech and the Fisher River Education Authority (FREA), where they have been learning how to prepare for post-secondary education or a full-time job.

The program began in FRCN, with eight courses – including Essential College Communication Skills – for students to become accustomed to the academic environment. The courses in FRCN were delivered by the FREA and taught by a local instructor and incorporated life skills and cultural content. For the final two courses, students finished their studies on-campus in Winnipeg and had the opportunity to build their skills in navigating a large urban centre in addition to their regular course work.

Faith Beardy, one of the students in the program, graduated from high school in 2021 and went directly into a bachelor’s degree at a university the fall of that year. Beardy found herself unprepared – the rigor of post-secondary compared to high school overwhelmed her to the point of giving up and dropping out. The pandemic greatly impacted her high school experience, so she was unaccustomed to exams, tight deadlines and the amount of content condensed into the shorter timeframe.

When she heard about the College Transition program, Beardy was drawn to the emphasis of support and preparation before taking the dive into post-secondary education. Beardy told herself it was worth it to try again with a program that would walk with her at the pace she needed, to learn about herself and learn about her own needs. When she started with College Transition, she says almost immediately she felt a sense of growth and a boost of confidence.

“The more confidence I have, it helps me to be a better student. I really love school now, I love going and learning. Even if I didn’t understand something, I asked questions. College Transition — words can’t describe it. It’s just not just academics — you connect with your peers, your instructors, your community and you grow together.”

Armed with the skills and confidence she gained at the College Transition program, Beardy plans to return to university in fall 2023 to pursue a bachelor’s degree with a major in Indigenous Studies and a minor in English. When she completes university, Beardy says she wants to live in Fisher River Cree Nation and teach elementary or middle school learners.

“I’ve always wanted to help people, but I didn’t know what to do. I want to help kids be their authentic selves and guide them in the direction they want to go in life — I want to be a good role model for my students.”

Mitchell Wilson joined the College Transition program as a stepping stone towards RRC Polytech’s Intro to Trades program. He had looked into applying directly to an electrician certificate program, but the complicated process was too overwhelming to parse through on his own. The College Transition program helped him gain the confidence he needs to enter the trades.

Right out of high school, Wilson felt a sense of urgency to know what to do in the next stage of his life. Where he once knew the procedures to progress in school, the unstructured freedom felt more like a directionless vacuum. Urgency turned to panic as time marched on without a plan. Wilson sought comfort with his family, who encouraged him to go back to school and helped motivate him to pick himself back up.

“For me, I finally grew into being independent. I learned to push myself and work hard. I’m excited to meet new people once I go into Intro to Trades,” said Wilson.

Taking College Transition in community and close to family helped Wilson manage his priorities and contemplate his goals. Wilson says he’s glad he took College Transition to prepare him for the inner motivation required to take on new journeys and the discipline needed to stick with those journeys.

For now, Wilson is looking forward to spending time at home with his family before coming back to RRC Polytech in the fall to begin Intro to Trades.

Nancy Harasemiw was the instructor while the students learned in FRCN, and said there is no better feeling than watching students learn and grow.

“I have been doing this for many years and I tell you it is so rewarding and I always feel a sense of pride when I can see their growth in maturity as a young person and their accomplishments in their academics. I am very thankful that our community of Fisher River Cree Nation Education invests in the Grade 12 graduates and offers this program to them before they begin their future post secondary studies in the fall,” she said.

Learn more about the College Transition program and other programs RRC Polytech has to offer, here.

Last month, the Stevenson Southport Campus at RRC Polytech hosted AME Day, a day dedicated to showcasing the Apprenticeship Aircraft Maintenance Engineer program to youth and demonstrating the potential rewarding careers students could experience in Aircraft Maintenance.

Over 260 Grade 8 students from Portage la Prairie School Division and Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation had the opportunity to take part in Aircraft Maintenance activities hosted by industry professionals.

Nigel Louis, Chair, Aircraft Maintenance Programs, provided remarks at noon along with Ian Wishart, MLA for Portage la Prairie; Sharilyn Knox, Portage la Prairie Mayor; Darryl Dowd, Chief Operating Officer for Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.; Jaff Viloria, DaHavilland Representative; and Riley Kintscher, Canadian Helicopters Limited Apprentice, both RRC Polytech alumni.

During his remarks, Louis shared a story: at the first AME Day in 2018, a student sat in the very same audience and learned about what he could do as a future Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He was inspired by the speakers he heard and decided to pursue a career in the aviation and aerospace sector. Today, he is enrolled in the Apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer program at RRC Polytech. One industry speaker he heard that day was Chevy Peters, who is now his boss and was among the many speakers at the 2018 AME Day.

Students were divided into morning and afternoon sessions to explore different stations featuring an Aircraft Hydraulic System, Composites, Flight, Daily Inspection, a Helicopter Cyclic Pitch Simulator, a Train Mock-Up and Aircraft Wheel Replacement. Station leads were a range of aircraft maintenance professionals from Portage Aircraft Services, Canadian Helicopter Limited, KF Aerospace, Eagle Wings Flight School, and RRC Polytech.

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 2023 was a huge success and students left with a strong understanding of the incredible opportunities that await them should they choose to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industry, and how RRC Polytech can help them get there.

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

Canada Life has announced a $500,000 investment to help create a new Indigenous-led student mentorship program at RRC Polytech. The initiative will be offered across all College programs and campuses, providing support and guidance to Indigenous learners as they navigate post-secondary experiences and into the early weeks of employment.

“Canada Life is proud to support RRC Polytech’s new mentorship program for Indigenous learners,” says Brian Bowman, Vice-President, Sustainability and Social Impact at the organization. “Education opens doors, but the end-to-end student journey isn’t always an easy one, and this new program will help Indigenous learners achieve their goals.”

With Canada Life’s support, RRC Polytech will be able to build the right conditions to support Indigenous student success and strengthen business and economic partnerships with Indigenous communities.

“We’re grateful to Canada Life for this transformative gift and their continued commitment to education in Manitoba,” says Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO. “For aspiring Indigenous students, this program will help instil confidence, cultivate connections on campus, and foster a two-way, mutually beneficial learning experience between students and employers. We’re building the program to do more than just help shape futures. It will help shape lives — one student at a time.”

Tracy Brant, Associate Dean for the College’s School of Indigenous Education, says Indigenous culture will be central to how RRC Polytech builds the program.

“This mentorship program will ensure Indigenous learners have more opportunities to connect with experienced industry professionals and expand their networks by building strong relationships with mentors and other mentees along their academic journeys,” says Brant.

“In turn, mentors will also benefit from engaging with and learning from professionals who are entering their field with new experience and perspectives. Helping to facilitate these potentially lifelong connections provides students with the tools they need to make the impacts they want to see in their communities and beyond. The additional support of dedicated mentors in the fields they want to pursue will encourage success in their academics and eventual careers.”

RRC Polytech will work to develop and deliver training to mentors, and as part of the program, mentees will have an opportunity to give back, as after graduation they can act as a mentor to a successive cohort of Indigenous learners.

It’s expected the new program will launch early next year. RRC Polytech is actively developing the program and resources required to ensure it can welcome as many students into the program as possible.

Price Family Foundation, Government of Canada and Province of Manitoba partner with Red River College Polytechnic on Institute dedicated to advancing global competitiveness of Manitoba manufacturers

June 28, 2023, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis

It began as a conversation between Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) and Dr. Gerry Price, Chairman & CEO, Price Industries Limited, in spring of 2021. RRC Polytech has long been a leader in talent development and innovation, and regularly consults with industry partners for advice on where each sector is heading. In this conversation, Dr. Price asked the question: how can we work together to advance the sector?

The journey to the answer – spanning two years of deep conversations with industry, government, and other stakeholders – sets the stage for today’s announcement of the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics.

Anchored by a $10 million gift from the Price Family Foundation – the largest in RRC Polytech’s history – the Price Institute is supported with more than $3 million from the Government of Canada and $4.86 million from the Province for capital, program development, as well as ongoing operating costs. In support of RRC Polytech’s In Front of What’s Ahead comprehensive campaign, these three gifts bring the campaign closer to its $60 million goal, with a current total of $51.5 million raised to date.

Today’s $17.86 million investment in the Price Institute will allow RRC Polytech to bridge critical skills and labour gaps in the sector, spur applied research activities within the sector’s many small-to medium-enterprise (SME) employers and foster an innovation ecosystem where industry-education partnerships shift the technologies disrupting the sector from threats to opportunities.

“As Manitoba’s polytechnic, RRC Polytech is strongly positioned to partner with stakeholders and help usher in a new era of opportunity for one of Manitoba’s most-valued economic sectors,” says Fred Meier, RRC Polytech President and CEO. “We are expanding training opportunities and applied research in manufacturing, and it is only possible because of the vision and the commitment of Dr. Gerry Price and the Price Family Foundation, as well as the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba.”

The Manitoba chapter of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) recently reported that it had 2,130 job vacancies in the third quarter of 2022, citing a shortage of advanced skills that are not currently being trained in the Province. The Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics will directly respond to the skills shortage by training new workers, as well as upskilling and reskilling existing workers.

Scheduled for a phased launch beginning in Fall 2023, the 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’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 launch this fall.
• Manitoba’s first Applied Research Chair in Advanced Manufacturing.

The transformational gift from the Price Family Foundation continues their legacy of student-focused support at RRC Polytech. Ahead of today’s announcement, Dr. Price and Barb Price also renewed the Price Scholarships at RRC Polytech for another five years – removing a critical barrier many students pursuing education in engineering technology-focused fields face.

“No matter the enterprise, the foundation of Manitoba’s success – past, present, and future – is its people,” says Dr. Gerry Price, Chairman and CEO, Price Industries Limited. “The more you create access to education opportunities, the more you empower the innovator that dwells within us all. This is an investment in Manitoba’s future learners and future leaders, which will have lasting benefits for generations to come.”

With donor support poised to remove barriers to education for generations of students, the Government of Canada’s $3 million investment supported by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) will be used to prepare the space for students and to develop and deliver curriculum over the next three years.

“Investments in training and skills development will ensure Manitoba remains a leader in advanced manufacturing and will inspire the next generation of the workforce. Our government recognizes the importance of strengthening key clusters and industry priorities starting with training and education. This funding from PrairiesCan will assist in the development of critical workforce skills through the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics,” says The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital

The Province focused its investment on funding capital, start-up, and development costs related to the Institute’s academic program, as well as its ongoing operating costs.

 “As we work to integrate more and more digital technologies into manufacturing products and processes, there’s a complementary need for highly-trained and skilled workers to ensure the sector’s success,” says the Honourable Sarah Guillemard, Minister of Advanced Education and Training for the Province of Manitoba. “The Manitoba government is pleased to provide ongoing support for Red River College Polytechnic’s new Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics to deliver the sophisticated training needed by Manitoba’s manufacturing workforce.”

The Province’s $4.86 million investment will support emerging technology, training for students, and provides RRC Polytech with increased capacity to train industry 4.0 professionals.

“Manufacturing is integral to Manitoba’s economy, with 7,900 job openings expected over the next five years,” says the Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade for the Province of Manitoba. “Equipping workers with the skills for these in-demand jobs will ensure a steady workforce to keep pace with our economic growth, and allow manufacturers to adopt the technologies essential to building and sustaining their businesses.”

Headquartered in the Skilled Trades and Technology Centre at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus, the Institute will leverage the College’s wealth of teaching and research expertise, as well as the more than $35 million of cutting-edge equipment housed within its Smart Factory and Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM).

More information can be found at rrc.ca/priceinstitute

June 23 is International Women in Engineering Day, a day to celebrate the important contributions that women and gender-diverse engineers make in their communities through their engineering work.

From Engineers Canada, “INWED is a day to celebrate the important contributions that women and gender-diverse engineers make in their communities through their engineering work. It is an opportunity to raise the profile of women and gender-diverse people in engineering and underscore that a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive profession improves the quality of engineering work and its impact.

INWED is a fantastic opportunity to consider how each of us—engineering employers, individual engineers, allies, professors, students—contributes to gender equity in our workplaces, our post-secondary institutions, and our profession. It is an opportunity to reflect on what we are currently doing, and what more we can be doing to each contribute to welcoming and inclusive environments for all engineers.”

Today – and everyday – we celebrate RRC Polytech leaders like Ellowyn Nadeau, the first woman to head the Winnipeg Construction Board. Read more here.

The following message was sent to All Staff and All Students today on behalf of RRC Polytech President and CEO, Fred Meier.

June is National Indigenous History Month and today, June 21, is the summer solstice: the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. June 21 was proclaimed National Indigenous Peoples Day in 1996 after continuous support from the National Indian Brotherhood (Assembly of First Nations), the Sacred Assembly and Elijah Harper, and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Indigenous communities around Turtle Island gather every year to celebrate the summer solstice with ceremony and celebration and to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day. Many organizations and communities host events proudly showcasing the many vibrant Indigenous cultures from dawn until dusk.

This year, RRC Polytech kicked off Indigenous History Month with the raising of the Red River Métis Flag, the Treaty One Flag, and RRC Polytech’s original Pride Flag. In years past, we’ve hosted our own event to recognize the summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples Day, but this year the School of Indigenous Education has a new venture—the Indigenous Student Support Team has organized a bus tour with Elder-in-Residence Paul Guimond around Winnipeg and surrounding areas to experience a variety of events to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Though it’s felt like summer for a few weeks already, I encourage you to ring in the new season by visiting any number of events hosted by Indigenous folks around the city and beyond. Many events can be found on the Government of Canada’s website with the search term ‘Manitoba.’ The Forks is hosting the Wa-Say Healing Centre Pow Wow followed by musical performances; the Manitoba Métis Federation is hosting a celebration at Selkirk’s Memorial Hall; WAG-Qaumajuq is hosting an art education event and evening concerts on Memorial Boulevard; and in Brandon there will be a celebration at the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

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