$95.4 million investment will create jobs, expand research and foster innovation

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, joined Manitoba Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart and Paul Vogt, President and CEO of Red River College (RRC) to announce support for the construction of a $95.4 million Innovation Centre at RRC’s Exchange District Campus.

RRC will use government and private-sector funding to develop a new Innovation Centre, the first of its kind in Western Canada. The Innovation Centre will attract an additional 1,200 students to the Exchange District, stimulating economic development and further growth of this historic part of downtown Winnipeg. It will bring together industry, students, instructors, researchers, and community members to work on commercialization projects for start-ups and SMEs. The Centre will also enable social enterprise and Indigenous entrepreneurship, and help ensure students are job-ready and able to thrive in the new economy.

“This historic investment by the Government of Canada is a down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation,” said Carr. “That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes.”

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Newest addition to the College’s Ceremonial Grounds will help RRC continue to infuse Indigenous culture and knowledge throughout our campus: Vogt

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2017

WINNIPEG, MB – Elders, students, and leaders from Red River College came together today in a special cultural ceremony to officially open the College’s first Sweat Lodge.

Led by Elders-in-Residence, Jules Lavallee and Mae Louise Campbell, today’s ceremony, which included a teaching about the Sweat Lodge, welcomed more than 40 participants – many of whom have never participated in this type of sacred ceremony before.

“I had a vision in 2004 of having a Sweat Lodge at Red River College available for students and staff and that vision has now become a reality,” said Elder-In-Residence, Jules Lavallee. “It’s a legacy for everyone to enjoy, that will help to heal for years to come and it was an incredible opportunity for staff and students to work together for the same purpose.”

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Red River College (RRC) is launching its 2017 billboard advertising campaign this week – marking the return of the highly-anticipated public celebration of RRC grads and their diverse, innovative employers.

“Red River College is pleased to once again join forces with leading Manitoba businesses to showcase elite alumni who are working in industry and the community across the province,” said Paul Vogt, president & CEO, Red River College. “This creative, co-operative marketing campaign is about recognizing strategic partnerships and celebrating student success.”

Appearing this spring and summer on nearly 60 billboards throughout Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, the 2017 billboard campaign features more than 40 members from RRC’s diverse alumni community.

“It is wonderful to partner with Red River College and to help showcase the fact that RRC grads get jobs in their fields and are leaders in our community,” said Darrell Brown, 2017 billboard campaign partner and Founder and President of KISIK Inc., a Canadian Indigenous owned and operated company offering office furniture solutions.

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RRC’s culinary research program growing in partnership with industry and government
Red River College, two local microbreweries and other key partners unveiled a new culinary invention today – miso made from spent grain – at an event highlighting the college’s growing Culinary Research and Innovation program and its impact on food creation in Manitoba.

Partners from the province, federal government and industry, were among the special guests at today’s miso soup and snacks taste testing at Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, the hub of RRC’s culinary research and education activities.

Delicious sampling of one of the many culinary creations unveiled at today’s event.

“This miso project is a really innovative partnership that links Manitoba’s dynamic microbrewery industry with local culinary arts and research,” said Paul Vogt, president of RRC. “I’d also like to thank the provincial and federal governments for their support of our research efforts and for joining us here today.”

RRC teamed up with microbreweries Farmery and Torque to successfully test and utilize spent grains from the beer brewing process to produce miso, putting a new twist on an ancient culinary tradition. Other partners included the Manitoba Agri-Health Research Network (MAHRN) and the University of Manitoba’s Food Science department.

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Red River College has been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the third year in a row. This prestigious recognition – awarded today to 65 organizations across the country – highlights employers that stand out through their efforts to create diverse, inclusive workplaces.

“At Red River College we strive to ensure equity and diversity are embedded in College practices and demonstrated throughout the institution,” said Paul Vogt, President & CEO, Red River College. “Equity and inclusion form part of our blueprint and help us create a welcoming and open environment. This reflects the commitment of our faculty and staff and it’s an honour to be recognized with this distinction for the third year in a row.”

Red River College has many initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusivity including various workshop series’ offered by the Elders in Residence; LGBTT initiative; Healthy Minds, Healthy College Initiative, GETT Camp Program; and a workforce audit to determine representation of designated group members in the RRC workforce.

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Red River College today announced two new support services as part of the Healthy Minds Healthy College initiative aimed at enhancing mental health programming for students, staff and faculty.

The announcement is part of a broader awareness-raising event, held today in the North Gym at the Notre Dame Campus and featuring TSN journalist Michael Landsberg presenting his #SICKNOTWEAK talk to the RRC community.

“We’re excited that Michael has joined us today to help us announce these new and important initiatives but to also hear him talk about his personal battle with depression as part of his #SICKNOTWEAK movement,” said Paul Vogt, president of Red River College. “Michael’s leadership has made a tremendous difference in the lives of many Canadians.”

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Action a Key Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report: President

Red River College today announced the creation of a new executive director, Indigenous strategy to provide leadership on advancing Indigenous education at the College, which will include expanding programs and supports for Indigenous students and building new partnerships with Indigenous leaders and the community.

“Advance Indigenous Achievement” is one of the top priorities in RRC’s Strategic Plan (2016-2021) as well as a key goal of the Academic Division, which is committed to enhancing “the environment supporting Indigenous student success.” RRC is also a signatory to the Manitoba Indigenous Education Blueprint (2016) – one of nine post-secondary institutions in the Province – following the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

“The TRC report is clear – Indigenous Canadians need access to post-secondary education and supports while in school if we are to close the income and employment gap in our country,” said Paul Vogt, RRC’s president. “One of the specific calls to action is to establish senior level positions in order to elevate the priority of Indigenous programming and forge new pathways to success. Today’s announcement is a major step in this direction.”
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A new program at Red River College is providing essential language and construction skills training to refugees and newcomers to Manitoba who arrived in the past year, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today.

“As we’ve seen in recent months, there’s a growing need to provide support for refugees in a variety of ways including direct employment and labour market programming,” said Wishart.  “We commend Red River College for its vision in developing this important program, which will link newcomers with employment opportunities and allow them to develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”

The new, four-month Pathway Program to Construction Skills will focus on developing essential language skills, safety training and basic construction skills training in the areas of drywalling, masonry and flat-top roofing.  Following the completion of the program, students will participate in a paid month-long, full-time work placement to further refine their skills and gain essential on-the-job experience, with the goal to support long-term employment, Wishart said.

“Red River College is proud to play such an important role in supporting Manitoba’s international, immigrant and refugee community,” said Paul Vogt, president, Red River College.  “This new program is a first in Manitoba and it will not only help our newcomer refugees develop their language and literacy skills, it will also provide them access to trades training and jobs in sectors where our partners have a need for more trained workers.”

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Red River College today announced plans to redevelop and expand its ACCESS programs in order to better meet the education needs of its Indigenous and other students, including providing them with an opportunity to enroll in a wider range of Red River College programs.

At present, students enrolled in ACCESS are restricted to studying in four program areas – Nursing, Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing, Business Administration and Civil Technology.

“It’s time for us to modernize how ACCESS programs are delivered at Red River College to better meet student, community and industry needs,” said Christine Watson, vice president Academic. “Ultimately one of our main goals is to remove some of the existing program restrictions and provide Indigenous, immigrant and other students facing barriers to education, more training options and new and improved pathways to meaningful careers.”

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Red River College Named one of the Province’s Top 25 Employers for seventh year running

Red River College (RRC) is proud to again be recognized for building a supportive, inclusive and engaging work environment for more than 2,300 employees who have made their careers at one of Manitoba’s largest post-secondary institutions.

“When it comes to growing Manitoba’s economy and driving innovation in education, Red River College plays a vital role in preparing students and industry for the economic and job opportunities of today and tomorrow,” said Paul Vogt, president & CEO, Red River College.

“This important job is in the hands of Red River College employees, who are extremely dedicated and passionate about making a difference in the lives of their students. We recognize this commitment of our employees and try to return the favour by ensuring the college provides an environment where staff are supported and encouraged in meaningful ways.”

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