Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis – More than 90 young women from Winnipeg high schools will be on campus at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) today to try their hand at different skilled trades and technologies.
 
This is the first year RRC Polytech is hosting Jill of All Trades, a full-day event developed by Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning as a way to introduce young women and female-identifying students from grades 9 to 12 to the possibilities of careers in the trades.
 
“RRC Polytech recognizes there is a gap in representation of women, female-identifying and non-binary individuals in the skilled trades industry and part of the solution is encouraging learners from a young age to explore their options and let them know there is a place for them,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech. “We’re excited to welcome young women and female-identifying students to our campus today and hope to see them back here to pursue a trade after high school.”
 
Throughout the day, learners will receive hands-on training in a selection of trades offered at the College, including:

• Construction – Building a bird house
• Transportation – Changing a tire and learning to program EV vehicles
• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Technology – Building a light detector circuit board with electronic components
• Welding – Creating a product using a welding simulator
• Robotics – Learning how to program a robot
• Civil Engineering Technology – Testing pollution in water and soil, and testing heat and moisture in buildings
• Construction Electrical – Learning how to wire a doorbell

Each of the sessions will be led by College staff who have built strong careers in industry. Not only will the learners receive technical training, they will also have the opportunity to ask questions and learn what a career in each trade entails.

RRC Polytech partnered with Skills Canada Manitoba on the event. The two organizations host a number of events together each year to encourage youth to get creative and hone their skills in trades and technologies, including the Young Women’s Conference, the Skills Manitoba Provincial Competition and the recent Gene Haas Manufacturing Bootcamps.

“The more we expose young people, especially girls, to the opportunities in the skilled trades the more we empower them for a successful future,” says Maria Pacella, Executive Director, Skills Canada Manitoba. “It’s important to provide youth with the chance to try something new and decide if it’s something they like and want to learn more about, and potentially grow that passion into a rewarding career.”

RRC Polytech’s Jill of All Trades event was made possible locally through generous support from Winnipeg Construction Association, Manitoba Women in Construction and Toromont Industries.
 
For more information about trades and technologies programs at RRC Polytech visit rrc.ca/skilledtrades

Winnipeg, Manitoba, on the original lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota, and Dene, and national homeland of the Red River Métis – Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is hosting its fifth annual Truth and Reconciliation Week to mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, on September 30.

This year, Truth and Reconciliation Week begins today, September 25, with the Fall Equinox Celebration at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, and will span over two weeks filled with student, staff and community-led sessions to educate the College community about the many different facets and responsibilities of Truth and Reconciliation.

“When RRC Polytech held its first Truth and Reconciliation Week five years ago, two people were leading the charge. Today, Truth and Reconciliation Week has expanded to two weeks of opportunities supported by almost 90 volunteers across all campuses for the College community to come together to learn from and engage with Indigenous People,” said Jamie Wilson, RRC Polytech’s Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Business Development and Research.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada calls on post-secondary institutions in Canada to create a more equitable and inclusive society by closing gaps in social, health and economic outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and people.

RRC Polytech’s second strategic commitment is to commit to Truth and Reconciliation, and pursue equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Truth and Reconciliation is not just providing equal opportunities to Indigenous learners—it is also educating the publics we serve as an educational institution of the true histories that have often been neglected by western textbooks and reconciling potential dissonance with facts as related by Indigenous scholars, historians and Knowledge Keepers.

Truth and Reconciliation is a year-round commitment for RRC Polytech, but the focal point of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation allows employees and students to immerse themselves in Indigenous teachings, storytelling and experiences. Opportunities to cultivate understandings of the true history and current issues impacting Indigenous people, and reconciliation efforts by society as a whole contribute to a stronger, more unified community that benefits all members.

“Truth and Reconciliation is a small phrase that encompasses many larger and intricate meanings,” said Carla Kematch, Director of Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement. “It’s also an ongoing process of learning and integrating new information, disentangling ourselves from misinformation and unlearning what we think we know, and opening ourselves to truths that might surprise or challenge us. This work is part of a lifelong journey that we encourage staff and students to commit to today, tomorrow and everyday into the future as we work towards building a better, brighter future for all.”

Truth and Reconciliation Week activities and events will include topics around Residential Schools and the experiences of Survivors, Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People, and colonization and the effects of colonialism on a global scale. It will also explore topics centred on Indigenous values and ways, like the power of a thoughtful and collaborative land acknowledgement, engaging with Elders and learning traditional Teachings, and integrating Indigenous perspectives into research to obtain stronger, more holistic data. Staff and students across the College have come together to organize a wide range of sessions, some including special guests to offer their expertise.

To learn more about Truth and Reconciliation Week sessions, see the full event schedule at rrc.ca/indigenous/news

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – Today in the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) celebrated the first cohort of students to successfully complete its Shelter Support Worker Micro-credential program designed with industry partners to address skills 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 and is supported by Gender Equity Manitoba. It aims to provide essential skills and knowledge for individuals involved in or aspiring to work in homeless and family violence shelters.

“The successful class we are celebrating today will have an immediate impact providing frontline services and support to Manitobans in need of refuge,” says Dr. Christine Watson, Vice President Academic, RRC Polytech. “Their accomplishment highlights the power of partnership and reinforces RRC Polytech’s strength of adapting our learning model quickly to respond to the evolving demands of our community by delivering crucial training through micro-credentials.”

Courses in the virtually delivered program include basic terminology and concepts, fundamental skills with specialization in homeless shelter support or women’s shelter support, a capstone project and a 20-hour practicum for learners to gain real world experience. Trained students from the following communities are prepared to enter or re-enter the workforce with a deeper understanding of the sector and the ability to provide trauma-informed care:

• Winnipeg
• Blumenort
• Beausejour
• Brandon
• West Pine Ridge
• Thompson
• Nelson House
• Stanley
• Manigotogan

“Going from needing a shelter at one point in my life to working at one is a bit surreal for me, but my lived experience has made me passionate about helping others and now that I have the skills to make a difference – I can be a positive force,” says student Steven Hunter, who was hired at the end of his practicum. “Based on my personal journey I feel the program provides valuable insight and understanding into the diverse cultures and struggles of people in need.”

Brittany Young is a women’s counsellor/coordinator at Mary’s House in Brandon – offering residential second stage safe housing and programs that focus on domestic violence providing a safe and trauma-informed environment for women and their children to heal. As a single mother of three, Brittany says the fully subsidized tuition and flexibility of online learning allowed her to excel and she now feels more confident because of her specialized training that includes intake process and assessment, crisis management, case planning, incident reporting, trauma-informed care, cultural differences and the impact of colonialism.

“I feel like I have a security blanket I can come back to time and time again to go over how to properly and effectively handle the complex situations you encounter in a shelter setting,” she says. “This course not only shaped me to become a better employee but it has really helped me become a better person over all.”

Just over a year ago, the Province of Manitoba committed $450,000 through the Canada-Manitoba Workforce Development Agreement to fund the creation of the Shelter Support Worker Micro-credential program in an effort to address the sector’s recruitment and retention challenges that have negatively impacted daily shelter operations and client service delivery.

“Manitoba Family Violence (FV) shelters have struggled for years to attract and retain qualified long-term applicants because of a historical lack of consistent and quality trauma-informed training designed specifically for the FV sector. These staffing challenges were compounded by the pandemic, affecting the life-saving frontline work of caring for clients who are increasingly presenting with complex needs,” says Deena Brock, Provincial Coordinator, Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters. “This micro-credential pilot program allows the family violence and homeless sectors to build capacity, reduce barriers to care, and better support those affected by gender-based violence and housing instability.”

Partners, administrators, instructors and sector advocates including the Honorable Rochelle Squires, Minister of Families attended to congratulate the class and to witness them receiving their micro-credential badges to the delight of proud family members, friends and supporters. 

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.

College’s Language Training Centre becomes Centre for Newcomer Integration, supported by BMO

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – BMO has generously donated $300,000 to support Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)’s Language Training Centre (LTC) to become the Centre for Newcomer Integration, supported by BMO (The Centre).
 
The Centre builds on LTC’s strong foundation and successful reputation. The new funding will allow staff to explore new opportunities to engage stakeholders, expand partnerships, and align support services based on client needs.
 
“BMO’s recognition of the positive impact that RRC Polytech is making in the settlement sector and their eagerness to invest in our ability to help prepare newcomers both linguistically and culturally to contribute quickly to Manitoba’s economy is a source of tremendous pride – and a demonstration of the power of partnership,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.
 
“This generous gift will allow us to build on the success of our language training programs and better coordinate with our partners and stakeholders to ease the transition into Manitoba’s communities and workplaces for newcomers.”
 
With a priority of opening doors through strategic community engagement, The Centre offers a variety of services to help newcomers successfully settle and contribute to Manitoba’s communities and workplaces through language and communication training, employment preparation services, and support services such as community building events, short-term counseling, and referrals to partner organizations. This work will evolve as additional partnerships with stakeholders are established.
 
“BMO is committed to making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable and inclusive society,” said Kristen Kennedy, Regional Vice President, Personal Banking, Prairies Central Region, BMO. “RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration will provide newcomers to Canada with valuable resources to help them find employment opportunities and achieve real financial progress.”
 
The LTC at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, assists over 2,500 students every year to build English language skills, cultural communication, and academic skills to further their education, training, and employment goals.

“Thank you to BMO for supporting students on journeys similar to mine. I’m a newcomer from Ukraine and I can say from myself and from other newcomers who attended these courses how important it is to have this support and a comfortable place to learn,” says Valeriia Bielous, student at RRC Polytech’s Language Training Centre.

“You can get help not only with learning English but with making adjustments to a culture and to a new workplace. It was an amazing experience for me during the studying process where we learned a lot about Canadian society, and during my volunteer work placement at the Manitoba Construction Sector Council where I’m happy to be working currently.”

RRC Polytech is committed to collaborations that provide opportunities for Manitobans to strengthen our province. BMO’s investment in the College’s In Front of What’s Ahead Campaign is an excellent example of a partnership that amplifies the College’s impact, deepens our relationship with industry, and supports long-term student success.

“By working together, we are setting everyone up for success,” added Meier. “The Centre for Newcomer Integration supported by BMO will remove barriers and provide access to the resources newcomers need to build a bright and promising future right here in Manitoba.”

RRC Polytech will hold the first of four Spring Convocation ceremonies in Winnipeg beginning today at the RBC Convention Centre

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – This month, Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) will host nine convocation ceremonies across the province and celebrate over 3,300 graduates joining their friends, family and faculty as they watch them cross the platform at the College’s Spring Convocation ceremonies.
 
RRC Polytech’s Spring Convocation celebrations happen throughout June across the province and are live streamed worldwide to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023. This year’s Convocation season celebrates three Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Award winners and two Honorary Degree and Diploma recipients, John Bockstael and Carolyn Young.
 
RRC Polytech will hold the first of four Convocation ceremonies in Winnipeg beginning today at the RBC Convention Centre and is hosting five more for its Regional Campuses in Selkirk, Fisher River, Winkler, Portage la Prairie, and Steinbach this June.
 
“Our Convocation ceremonies are an opportunity to celebrate the completion of our students’ respected accomplishments in various degree, diploma and certificate programs, and they also represent the opportunity and optimism that lie ahead, so we are thrilled to acknowledge this milestone accomplishment together,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.
 
Manitoba’s only polytechnic is proud to provide the skills, training and knowledge to the industry leaders of tomorrow in a welcoming environment for all, while promoting values that encourage positive action to enact meaningful change. The College’s highest honours are reserved for individuals who exemplify its commitments.
 
Three Lieutenant Governor’s Medals Awarded
 
Three outstanding graduates have been selected to receive Lieutenant Governor’s Medals this week, rewarding their academic and technical achievement, involvement in College and/or community activities, and overall good character.

• Pauline Tayag graduated with Honours from the Graphic Design program, while volunteering for multiple organizations in support of the Filipino community, sharing her love of arts and culture, calling out social injustices and advocating for those in need.
  
• Rubén Barrios graduated with Honours from the Information Security program. After arriving in Canada from Guatemala in 2021 with his wife and two children in the middle of a pandemic, his passion for collaboration helped him transition to his new environment quickly, participate in multiple College initiatives and become a tireless volunteer in his neighbourhood. 
  
• Josef Neufeld graduated from the joint Industrial Arts Teacher Education program with the University of Winnipeg and aspires to teach in the inner city or in a French immersion school division to share his passion for improving young people’s lives and his gifts in wood working and manufacturing. 

Read more about the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Recipients

John Bockstael and Carolyn Young Awarded Honorary Degree and Diploma
 
RRC Polytech’s Honorary Degree or Diploma is awarded to an individual who demonstrates high standards of excellence in their personal and professional achievements, and whose involvement in the community is widely recognized.
 
This Spring Convocation, RRC Polytech is awarding John Bockstael and Carolyn Young with honorary credentials. These two deserving recipients are accomplished professionals and outstanding community role models whose life’s work will resonate with and serve to inspire the graduating class of 2023.

• John Bockstael, CEO of Bockstael Construction will be awarded an Honorary Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management. He helped establish this credential as the first-ever degree program at the College. RRC Polytech proudly presents him with that credential at the Convocation Ceremony held at the RBC Convention Centre on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. 
  
• Carolyn Young, the Executive Director of the not-for-profit child and family care organization Manidoo Gi-Miini Gonaan, will be awarded an Honorary Diploma in Early Childhood Education at the Convocation Ceremony held at the RBC Convention Centre on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.

Read more about the 2023 Honorary Degree and Diploma Recipients

“RRC Polytech’s trio of Lieutenant Governor’s Medal award winners are our future leaders and represent the unlimited potential of combining compassion with education and ambition. The accomplishments and pursuit of lifelong learning by our Honorary Degree and Diploma recipients serve to resonate with our graduates and inspire them to make an impact in their communities,” said Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President Academic, RRC Polytech. “We look forward to seeing what the Class of 2023 brings to the workforce and to their communities.”
 
On average, 96 per cent of RRC Polytech graduates begin working in their field within six months of graduating. This year’s graduates will bring skills and knowledge that will help them contribute on day one and help ensure Manitoba’s industries can continue to stay in front of what’s ahead.
 
For a full list of graduates, award winners, and to stream the ceremonies please visit rrc.ca/convocation.
 
Schedule of RRC Polytech Convocation Ceremonies across Manitoba:
 
Winnipeg Ceremonies (live-streamed) will take place at the RBC Convention Centre, City View Hall (Hall C), 375 York Avenue.

• Tuesday, June 13 at 1:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14 at 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m.  

Regional Ceremonies: 
Interlake Campus Selkirk – June 8 at 3:00 p.m.
Selkirk Recreational Complex – 180 Easton Drive, Selkirk

Peguis – Fisher River Campus – June 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Fisher River Community & Gaming Centre 83 Unnamed Road, Fisher River Cree Nation

Portage Campus – June 19 at 2:00 p.m.
The William Glesby Centre 11 2 St NE, Portage la Prairie

Winkler Campus – June 21 at 3:00 p.m.
P.W. Enns Centennial Concert Hall 783 Mountain Ave, Winkler

Steinbach Campus – June 22 at 3:00 p.m.
Mennonite Heritage Village 231 Provincial Trunk Hwy 12, Steinbach

The phrase “go to your room” has historically taken on a negative connotation for generations of youngsters. This will no longer be the case for dozens of Winnipeg tweens and teens, thanks to a new learning opportunity from RRC Polytech, in collaboration with IKEA.

Design Your Dream Room, one of four new day camps the College is offering this summer, teaches campers the basics of interior decorating and room layout under the guidance of an RRC Polytech interior decorating professional. Other youth can learn the art of photography, how to design and launch their own product, or deepen their relationship with their cultural identity.

“Our summer youth camps give young people a taste of what a polytechnic education looks like. They’ll learn new skills in hands-on, experiential environments – guided by experienced RRC Polytech leaders,” says Breanna Sawatzky, Manager of Campus Well-Being at RRC Polytech.

Aspiring shutterbugs will learn about composition, posing, exposure and light control under the direction of a professional photographer in Out and About Photography, while budding entrepreneurs will develop a product from idea to minimal viable product, and go through a design sprint in Entrepreneurship Camp. Indigenous Cultural Exploration Camp, open to all youth ages 9 – 11, will guide campers through experiential learning while incorporating cultural activities.

“We know the importance of introducing kids to technology, art, business, culture and creativity at an early age, as they’re beginning to think about their future careers,” says Sawatzky. “These camps are a fun, low-pressure opportunity for kids to start to explore their passions while familiarizing themselves with our campus.”

RRC Polytech continues to offer its popular Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) camp, now in its 17^th year, as well as online photography camps Camp Canon – Photo Foundations Camp and Camp Canon – Beyond the Basics Camp, where kids can enhance their creativity and build their photography skills.

Summer Youth Camps, for kids aged 8 – 16, run for one week each and take place throughout July. For more information, visit rrc.ca/youth/camps.

Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery members meet with federal Parliamentarians to demonstrate how Canadian institutions are coming together to train workers for the transition to a clean economy

Red River College Polytechnic is meeting with federal Parliamentarians this week to discuss further opportunities for Canada’s colleges, Cégeps and institutions to be the driving force in providing the skills required to transition to a clean economy. The virtual meetings, led by the Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) – a coalition of 14 institutions from across Canada that work together to provide the skills required to transition to a clean economy –  build off the success of the recently launched Quick Train Canada initiative.

Quick Train Canada is a series of tuition-free micro-credential courses offered at C2R2 institutes across the country that focus on providing Canadian workers and employers with options to update skills quickly through multi-week, virtual and in-person learning designed to boost job security and participation as the economy transitions to more sustainable practices.

“RRC Polytech’s six Quick Train courses filled up within the first week of being launched, which shows there’s a demonstrated need for learners to quickly and easily bolster their portfolios with relevant skills that will contribute to a greener economy,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“RRC Polytech and C2R2 members across Canada are positioned to quickly develop thousands of training and applied research opportunities to help Canadians access new careers, support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and foster equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

Each C2R2 institution offers Quick Train courses relevant to their areas of expertise. All courses are tuition-free, and many are offered virtually so anyone in Canada can access them.

RRC Polytech’s Quick Train courses focus on Clean Tech:

• Introduction to Electric Vehicle Technology
• Electric Vehicle Communication and Computer Systems
• Building Envelope Science: Principles and Practice

and Social Innovation:

• Engagement and Relationship-Building with Indigenous Communities
• Indigenous and Canadian Government Relationships
• and The Consultation Process

The Quick Train micro-credentials RRC Polytech currently offer draw on the College’s strengths in electric vehicle technology and reconciliation with Indigenous communities. Several areas within the College worked together to build academic programming to support the courses’ development.

“The fact that these courses were selected for a Canada-wide audience proves we’re not only local leaders in these areas, but that our work deserves to be showcased on a national scale,” says Meier. “The Quick Train initiative embodies RRC Polytech’s commitment to partnership – not only through cross-country relationships formed through C2R2, but through the inter-departmental efforts that took place here at the College.”

The courses wrapped up their initial runs earlier this spring. Due to high demand – with waitlists as high as 200 people for some courses – RRC Polytech has scheduled additional courses to launch beginning this month.

RRC Polytech and other C2R2 members are currently meetingwith parliamentarians and decision-makers to discuss how the government can further utilize C2R2’s expertise to deliver and implement training and inclusive economic recovery. Existing training opportunities include:

• Rapid training and upskilling through Quick Train Canada – a national curriculum and microcredential delivery platform serving employees and employers across Canada;
• A focus on innovation, research, and advancement with respect to climate action and sustainability to support a low-carbon future; and
• Alignment with employer needs, industry partnerships, work placement opportunities and community relationships. 

The C2R2 ecosystem is agile, working with its 14 partner institutions and 14 industry partners coast to coast to coast to seek expert advice, implement best practices, and rapidly address current trends, concerns, and needs arising in Canadian communities and industries.

“C2R2 is positioned to be a leader in Canada’s evolving ecosystem and play the critical support role needed for true success as we plan for the future,” says Meier. “We are proud to be members of C2R2 and to contribute to this important work to benefit workers and industries across our country.

For more information, visit rrc.ca/quicktrain or resilientcolleges.ca.

For immediate release – May 9, 2023

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Metis – An entire cohort of Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) Pathway to Information Technology (Pathway to IT) students were gifted $50,000 worth of state-of-the-art laptops from Lenovo with the newest technology to encourage innovation and prepare learners to succeed in IT roles across Manitoba.

“This partnership with Lenovo not only provides students with laptops, but it’s also another way barriers to education are removed,” said Fred Meier, CEO and President, RRC Polytech. “This gift enhances the student experience and provides access to technology that meets the needs of the industry and allows students to be successful in achieving their educational goals throughout their time at RRC Polytech.”

Pathway programs are designed to equip Indigenous Manitobans with the support and skills needed to confidently transition into specific RRC Polytech programs. Pathway to IT, created in partnership with RBC Future Launch, prepares and empowers students to participate in RRC Polytech’s IT Operations, Information Security and Business Information Technology programs.

“Our vision is to help create a world where every person has access to the technology that allows them to achieve their goals,” said Libby Richards, Community Engagement Manager, Lenovo. “Connecting students with technology is crucial in innovation and moving society forward. This program aligns with our goals and provides students with the foundational knowledge to be successful in the rapidly growing field of IT.”

Pathway to IT requires students to have access to a computer with certain memory and speed requirements, and students who do not have access to a computer are provided with options to rent a computer from the College. At the start of the first semester, Lenovo provided all students in Pathway to IT with new Lenovo ThinkBook 15 Gen4 laptops that they will be able to keep beyond the completion of the program.

Earlier today, representatives from Lenovo were able to tour Manitou a bi Bii daziigae and meet students in Pathway to IT.

“It’s clear to see why these students selected this program,” said Warren Beleyowski, Client Executive, MB/SK Public Sector, Lenovo Canada. “Providing them with laptops was an easy decision, as these students are going to be the ones who are meeting the ever-changing needs of tomorrow.”

Pathways are exploratory and preparatory programs that provide Indigenous Manitobans with the skills and supports required to transition into selected RRC programs by increasing their academic, personal, social, and financial readiness. Pathway graduates have dedicated seats for selected programs, to remove the barrier of wait lists.

Pathway to IT is the fourth Pathway program, showcasing the success of this model and the demand for these types of programs that increase opportunities for Indigenous students in various sectors.

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Robert Okabe, Distinguished Graduate Award recipient and Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech

For immediate release: April 27, 2023

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – A Winnipeg engineering technologist who has been a local, provincial, and national leader in the profession is being honoured with the Distinguished Graduate Award from Red River College Polytechnic.

Robert Okabe, CEO and Registrar at Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba (CTTAM) graduated with a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from RRC Polytech’s Civil Engineering program in 1983. His dedication to technicians and technologists, along with his passion for his community and volunteering has set him apart and made him an outstanding candidate for RRC Polytech’s highest achievement.

“RRC Polytech is proud to honour Robert Okabe with the distinguished Graduate Award. His professional achievements truly embody the kind of commitment and leadership we aim to demonstrate to students. His contributions to Manitoba showcase the difference that RRC Polytech graduates make to our province, especially in the profession of applied science and engineering technology,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO.

RRC Polytech’s Distinguished Graduate Award honours and recognizes the College’s finest graduates – those who have made an impact in their profession and the community around them through outstanding achievements in one or more of the following areas: humanitarianism, professional excellence, and community service. 

Over his career Okabe has been recognized as a Fellow of Engineers Canada FEC by Engineers and by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) in 2013. He has served in various positions for the CCTT and the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB).

Okabe is currently a Program Advisory Committee member with RRC Polytech, Assiniboine Community College, and University of College of the North and has provided invaluable guidance and advocacy with the accreditation of RRC Polytech’s engineering technology programs. He also has a role in all nine of the College’s Engineering Technology Advisory Committees — which provide direction and curriculum support from those working on the ground.

“I am incredibly excited and proud to be receiving this award,” says Robert Okabe. “I believe that giving back to the community is such an important thing I can do as a graduate and am proud to support the next generation. The College provided so much for me in my career, and it’s an honour to be celebrated in this way.”

Okabe understands how important a helping hand can be in propelling students from the world of academia into a lifelong career, and in 2008 he established the Robert Okabe Achievement Award for Civil Engineering Technology.

Always open to new ideas and opportunities to do outreach for student recruitment, Okabe ensures he does what he can to support young women in STEM, and help newcomers pursue this industry. His ongoing partnership with RRC Polytech is a welcome and substantial support in helping to transform today’s learners into a force for change.

One thing is clear looking back at Robert’s life: he believes in the potential of others and will stop at nothing to help them meet it.

Okabe was presented with the Distinguished Graduate Award on April 20, 2023 at the 2023 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Manitoba Awards of Excellence in Consulting Engineering.

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