Award-Winning Skilled Trades and Technology Centre Officially Opened by Red River College and Province of Manitoba

With a little help from its Robot-in-Residence – Baxter – Red River College (RRC) and the Province of Manitoba officially opened the Skilled Trades and Technology Centre (STTC) at the College’s Notre Dame Campus.

Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen led the official ceremonies and assisted Baxter with his task of opening RRC’s newest addition to its Notre Dame Campus.

“Careers in the skilled trades are in high demand across the province and this building creates the opportunity for more Manitobans to receive top-level training that will keep our industries ahead of the curve and continue to grow our economy,” said Goertzen.

“We are pleased to have invested $61.6 million to help Red River College develop an inspired learning environment with state-of the-art equipment that takes post-secondary training to new heights.”

The new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre spanning 104,000 square-feet will boost RRC’s training capacity by 30 per cent, and provide training and education for up to 1,000 students a year in many high-demand trades, including:

• Electrical
• Carpentry
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Manufacturing Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)
• Manufacturing Technician
• Precision Metal Machining
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and,
• Technology Management

“For 80 years we’ve created programs and innovative learning spaces that equip our grads with the right skills and experience to meet the needs of our province’s economy and its workforce. The STTC is part of the ongoing growth we’ve been experiencing at Red River College – and today, we’re not just celebrating the trades, we’re putting them at the forefront of what we do,” said Paul Vogt, President and CEO of RRC.

“We’ve had a reputation for being ‘just’ a trades college – yes, we are a trades college, and we’re proud of that. We’re also so much more than a trades college, and you can see that in the way the STTC was built. Every component was designed for the student experience, for applied-learning. The building itself displays the leading-edge construction techniques students will be putting into practice after they graduate from Red River.”

Students walked through its doors for the first time this August, experiencing what is designed to be a celebration of the trades and technologies. Each program’s unique laboratories and workshops are on display through floor-to-ceiling windows and are linked together by the sky lit Galleria, allowing for industry professionals, staff, and prospective students to see skills at work. Sensors in the walls, windows and ceilings will allow students to monitor how the building is interacting with the external environment. And the crawlspaces below the building are tall enough to allow students to study all aspects of the heating, electrical and water systems.

Faculty, staff and students had a large hand in the STTC’s design and building process. Number TEN Architectural Group designed the building after holding hundreds of consultations with the College community to determine needs for today and for the next 80 years.

Some examples of student and staff involvement include: student-built workbenches, tool cabinets, PLC and Motor Control instructional stations. The interior and exterior brickwork was designed in the College’s Masonry program and full-size curtainwall mock-ups were built and tested in the College’s BETAC (Building Envelope Technology Access Centre) program.

Akman Construction broke ground on the project in 2016 and are currently working to complete an addition to the building, the Smart Factory, which is scheduled to be complete in 2019. The building has already earned the Green Building Excellence in New Construction award from the Manitoba chapter of the Canada Green Building Council for its efforts in sustainability and LEED Gold target. Some key highlights of the building’s green efforts include a geothermal heating system, tubular skylights, a rainwater retention system and a green roof garden.

This project was made possible through the generous support of the Province of Manitoba, Bockstael Construction Ltd. and the Gene Haas Foundation.

RRC Culinary Research and Innovation program steps up to the plate for the Pretzel Place.

Winnipeg, MB – Forget the peanuts and Cracker Jacks – today, Red River College and local business, The Pretzel Place, will launch a new beer flavoured pretzel seasoning before the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ game at Shaw Park.

The seasoning was created by RRC’s dynamic Culinary Research and Innovation (CR&I) program, which over the last few years has seen substantial growth in the areas of new food products and ingredient applications.

“The demand for culinary research and innovation in our province is increasing, and our CR&I program continues to ‘step up to the plate,’ to develop new and advanced uses for locally grown food while supporting Manitoba’s agricultural and food industry through applied research,” said Paul Vogt, President and CEO of Red River College.

“This partnership with The Pretzel Place is just one of many delicious examples of new product creation and culinary creativity at work in our community.”

The CR&I program is located within RRC’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, allowing researchers to tap in to the knowledge of accomplished chef instructors, and recruit students to work on applied research projects with industry.

The program was first launched in 2014, and has been increasing its activities with help of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). To date, the program has been involved in over 40 industry projects with organizations such as the Manitoba Pulse and Soy Growers, Granny’s Poultry, Piccola Cucina, MSPrebiotic Inc., and The Pretzel Place.  The program actively works with others in the food innovation community including the University of Manitoba and Food Development Centre.

Sue Leclair is a graduate of the RRC Business Administration program and owner of The Pretzel Place’s two locations at Shaw Park and Investors Group Field. Leclair’s idea for the seasoning came from Winnipeg Goldeyes and Blue Bomber fans, who inspired her to come up with a way to marry the flavours of a refreshing game day beer, and her popular twisted snack.

“I first came up with this idea nearly three years ago, so to have it go from idea, to concept, to reality is a really exciting feeling, and it would not have been possible without the support and work of RRC’s dedicated Culinary Research team,” said Leclair.

“Through this partnership, I was able to work with industry leading chefs, and gain access to the latest information on food trends, science and innovation. I am thrilled to share this Manitoba inspired, locally developed beer flavoured seasoning with the entire community.”

RRC’s Culinary Research and Innovation team and The Pretzel Place will be offering free bite-sized samples of the new beer-flavoured pretzel seasoning at 6:00pm on the Promenade of Shaw Park before the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ game this evening. The seasoning will be available at both Pretzel Place locations and for catering events moving forward.

Media is invited to attend this event. RRC President and CEO, Paul Vogt, the Culinary Research and Innovation team, and Sue Leclair will be available for interviews.

Local icon Ray St. Germain to receive Creative Communications diploma for lifetime achievements in broadcasting, storytelling and educating Canadians about Metis people and culture.

WINNIPEG, MB June 5, 2018 – A household name across the prairies, Ray St. Germain was honoured last night as Red River College’s (RRC) 2018 Honorary Diploma recipient.

Ray St. Germain is an award winning producer, host, entertainer and voice actor on more than 600 television programs over the last four decades – including Big Sky Country, Rhythms of the Métis, and the 1969 Canadian variety series Time for Living, and NCI-fm radio host of the Manitoba Metis Federation’s “Metis Hour X 2” – his engaging, creative and passionate storytelling style serves to shine a spotlight on the history of Manitoba, and to build an understanding and appreciation of Métis culture.

“Ray is someone who embodies the values of Red River College and serves as an inspiration to many of the creative young people who are receiving their diplomas alongside him today,” said Paul Vogt, President and CEO of RRC. “This is the highest honour given by Red River College, and is reserved for individuals who have achieved considerable success in their lives. We have tremendous respect for Ray, who has dedicated his life to sharing the stories of Métis people, and opened the door for others to do the same.”

St. Germain is the 25^th person to receive the award since 1995, joining notable Manitobans such as Senator Murray Sinclair, Stella Blackbird and Ace Burpee in being recognized.

“Storytelling has always been a part of who I am. There are so many ways to tell stories and I’m proud to have been able to share mine in so many different ways and with so many different audiences. Even more so, I’m happy to have been able to pass these gifts along to my children, and encourage them to speak their truth through song,” said Ray St. Germain. “I am extremely honoured to receive an honorary diploma for such a highly regarded program, and from an institution that is making strides in the advancement of Indigenous education.”

Honorary Diploma Recipients are selected based on their personal and professional achievements, as they pertain to one or more of the criteria outlined below. The individual:

• Has made significant contributions to either: (1) Red River College; (2) a particular field of post-secondary study; and/or (3) post-secondary education on a local, national or international level;
• Has accomplished great success in either a paid or volunteer position that reflects the values of Red River College;
• Enhances or promotes the College’s image/reputation in Manitoba or elsewhere; and/or
• Serves as an inspirational example to the College community due to significant accomplishment or achievement.

For his contributions to Canadian culture, Mr. St. Germain has received numerous awards, including the Aboriginal Order of Canada, the Order of Manitoba, and the Order of the Sash – Saskatoon and Prince Albert. He has also been inducted into the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame (2005), and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2010).

For using his voice, music and the mediums of TV and radio to shine a light on Indigenous and Métis culture – to share with Canadians and cultures around the world, Red River College found St. Germain to be highly worthy of this year’s honorary diploma in Creative Communications.

To learn more about Creative Communications, click here.

New bursaries will be available for new Indigenous programs at RRC and students are encouraged to attend today’s open house to learn more and apply.

Today, as part of Red River College’s (RRC) first Indigenous Education Open House, RRC and Indspire, announced “The Red River College School of Indigenous Education Award,” that will provide financial support for up to 85 Indigenous students enrolled in one of RRC’s newest Indigenous academic programs that are being launched this fall.

“Red River College is working to create a seamless flow of wrap-around supports for aspiring Indigenous students that will help increase enrolment and graduation rates across the College, and these bursaries will help remove the existing financial barriers that many of our learners’ face,” said Rebecca Chartrand, RRC Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy

“We are proud to partner with Indspire, a leading national Indigenous charity, who recognizes the important work we are doing as a College and has made an investment in a bright future for Indigenous students in our community.”

This, first-of-its-kind Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards partnership between RRC and Indspire will cover the full cost of tuition, books and supplies for students enrolled in one of the following new academic programs being delivered by RRC’s School of Indigenous Education:

• ACCESS Health Pathway Program
• ACCESS Engineering Pathway Program
• Social Enterprise Diploma Program
• Indigenous Languages Certificate Program
• Indigenous Culinary Skills Certificate

A key pillar of RRC’s five-year strategic plan is to continue to support Indigenous student success and through this initiative, led by RRC’s School of Indigenous Education, the College believes these bursaries will help continue to remove the barriers of access to post-secondary education for Indigenous learners in Manitoba.

“This partnership is another step in the direction of transforming education for our youth so they can in turn transform their families, communities, and Canada,” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. “We are grateful for the support of Red River College and for the work they are doing to advance Indigenous achievement and education.”

Indigenous students who are interested in learning more about the new programs and bursaries available are invited to attend the Indigenous Education Open House today, May 31, 2018 from 1:00pm – 7:00pm at the Notre Dame Campus.

The Open House will provide future students with an opportunity to meet Support Staff and Instructors who can answer questions and help with filling out application forms for any of the featured programs. Students are asked to bring their Social Insurance Number, official high school transcripts and proof of Indigenous Ancestry to help complete the applications.

This new award is the result of a one-year pilot agreement between RRC and Indspire with RRC’s School of Indigenous Education investing a net total of over $210,000 towards the award. In return Indspire will match the College’s contributions dollar-for-dollar through the Government of Canada’s matching funds, for a total of over $420,000 to support Indigenous learners.

ABOUT RRC’s NEWS INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS

The ACCESS programs provide learners with preparatory, exploratory and transitional experience, while the remaining three programs aim to grow Indigenous representation within these sectors. The culinary program for example, will provide courses aimed at developing fundamental culinary skills, knowledge and basic business skills. It will also include a cultural component and land based curriculum. The Indigenous Social Enterprise Diploma will focus on the principles of economic reconciliation and how this relates to the Canadian social economy. It will give students the tools they need to solve programs and address challenges in our urban and rural communities.

ABOUT INDSPIRE

Indspire is a national Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. Indspire’s vision is to enrich Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement. In partnership with Indigenous, private and public sector stakeholders, Indspire educates, connects and invests in Indigenous people so they will achieve their highest potential.

Indspire is led by Indigenous people for Indigenous people. We serve First Nation, Inuit, and Métis students in remote communities, rural areas and urban centres across Canada. With the support of our funding partners, we disburse financial awards, deliver programs, and share resources with the goal of closing the gap in Indigenous education.

Learn more at www.indspire.ca

Red River College’s (RRC) Portage la Prairie Campus has a vacancy for some feathered friends.

For efforts in restoring an old chimney to create a hospitable habitat, RRC has been presented with the Swift Champion award from the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative (MCSI). Over the summer of 2017 two swifts were spotted using the chimney a number of times, indicating the restoration was a success.

“We’re honoured to accept the Swift Champion award and to continue our role in protecting the Chimney Swifts,” said Guy Moffat, Regional Campus Manager for the Portage Campus. “It’s been amazing to see the work our facilities team have put in to restoring the chimney, and to be able to witness the swifts flying in and out of their summer home. Part of RRC’s Strategic Plan includes fostering sustainable growth – not just for the College, but for the entire province. This is just one way we contribute to that.”

This Chimney Swift is a small brown bird, often described as a ‘cigar with wings’ that enjoy roosting and breeding in brick chimneys. The species has declined by a large amount in Canada since the 1970s and are now listed under both the Manitoban and Federal Government Species at Risk Acts.

When an MCSI volunteer noticed upgrades being made to the chimney, which sits atop the 100-year-old building, they notified RRC to bring awareness that it had been identified as a designated chimney swift habitat. That awareness resulted in a shift to the original repair plans, which would have closed off the chimney with a metal cap. Now the top part of the brick chimney remains intact, with an opening that allows Chimney Swifts to enter for roosting. The College’s efforts also ensure that toxic gases won’t collect in the nesting area.

“We’re proud to present Red River College with this award. The College is a very deserving recipient of this award thanks to the initiative taken to preserve the chimney and create a suitable habitat for the swifts,” said Tim Poole, Outreach Coordinator for MCSI. “It’s important for more organizations and individuals across the province to follow suite and recognize they can make an impact, either through the restoration of existing habitat, the building of new habitats or simply growing awareness.”

The College joins sites like the Merchant Hotel (Selkirk), The Parish Church (St. Jean-Baptiste), St. Avila School, Good News Fellowship Church and St. Ann’s Catholic Church (Winnipeg) in the effort to help the Swifts.

The MSCI has also erected swift towers in Starbuck, St. Adolphe, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg, including a new tower in Assiniboine Park Zoo, and has partnered with volunteers across the province in their monitoring and conservation efforts.

RRC will soon be adding signage that identifies the chimney as an endangered species habitat.

The Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative (MCSI) is a volunteer-run arm of Nature Manitoba with a mandate to coordinate all volunteer monitoring, outreach and stewardship for this threatened species in Manitoba.

Living Textbooks will be Updated Regularly, Accessible Anywhere in Manitoba: Fielding

The province is providing free access for students and professionals across Manitoba to online learning resources on prenatal and child development, Families Minister Scott Fielding announced today. The Science of Early Child Development (SECD) includes regularly updated living textbooks and modules that offer current research and links to practice through a convenient online platform, accessible via computer, tablet and smartphone.

“We are making a first-of-its-kind investment in the early years fields in Manitoba to increase professional development opportunities, encourage independent study, strengthen the sectors that work with children and families, and improve the quality of services for Manitoba families,” Fielding announced at Red River College. “Living textbooks are a cost-effective way to continually expand knowledge, provide educational opportunities and relay the latest research for everyone involved in the early learning and child-care sector.”

The province will provide $365,000 to Red River College (RRC) through the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with the federal government to open up provincewide access for two living textbooks and three additional modules. This will eliminate the license fee currently required to register, which will benefit hundreds of students and teaching staff as well as early learning and child-care professionals, family child-care providers, teachers, public health staff, community organizations and any Manitobans interested in the impact of early experience on lifelong health and well-being. RRC will oversee the initiative and report to government on annual usage.

“The Government of Canada is very pleased that investments from the Canada–Manitoba early learning and child care bilateral agreement are being used to develop innovative projects such as the living textbook,” said Robert-Falcon Ouellette, member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre. “Flexible access to quality training for educators and students is a major step forward in supporting a quality early learning environment for Manitoba’s children.”

RRC researched and developed the SECD initiative in partnership with the University of Toronto and the Aga Khan Development Network. These resources are currently used in other jurisdictions but this is the first time they are being made openly available in Manitoba. The site is updated regularly and includes readings, videos of children’s programs around the world, interviews with experts, links to reports and websites, reflection questions and interactive activities. The information supports courses in the Child Care Assistant and Early Childhood Educator training programs.

“Red River College is proud to be a leader in social innovation in Manitoba,” said Paul Vogt, president and CEO of RRC. “The SECD resource is a globally recognized, successful research and resource tool that is elevating the success of our early childhood educators within the classroom. We are pleased that this Manitoba-made, award-winning research and educational resource, created right here at Red River College by our knowledgeable staff and faculty, will now continue to provide all front-line child-care workers in the province with the tools, skills and training necessary to shape young minds and build a strong foundation for bright futures.”

Manitobans can access SECD at https://content.scienceofecd.com/mbaccess. Available resources include the living textbook, Child Development Primer / Introduction au développement de l’enfant modules and Prenatal Development, geared to the public health sector.

Winnipeg, MB – Red River College announced new and enhanced programs, and more student supports for Indigenous learners – all part of the College’s strategic plan to grow its Indigenous student population and chart a bold, new path forward for Indigenous Education.

“Red River College is proud to be a key signatory to the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint, and we are fully committed to providing the student-centered and culturally relevant supports necessary to help aspiring students successfully transition from community to classroom to career,” said Rebecca Chartrand, RRC Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy.

“Over the last year, we have been working to create better access to programs, new training opportunities, and more pathways to post-secondary education for our Indigenous learners. We have taken important steps forward as a College community to grow and provide our students with the wrap-around supports and services they need to succeed.”

This fall, the College will launch five new programs for Indigenous learners:

1. ACCESS Health Pathway Program
2. ACCESS Engineering Pathway Program
3. Social Enterprise Diploma Program
4. Indigenous Languages Certificate Program
5. Indigenous Culinary Skills Certificate

The ACCESS programs provide learners with preparatory, exploratory and transitional experience, while the remaining three programs aim to grow Indigenous representation within these sectors. The culinary program for example, will provide courses aimed at developing fundamental culinary skills, knowledge and basic business skills. It will also include a cultural component and land based curriculum. The Indigenous Social Enterprise Diploma will focus on the principles of economic reconciliation and how this relates to the Canadian social economy. It will give students the tools they need to solve programs and address challenges in our urban and rural communities.

The College also worked very closely in consultation with internal and community stakeholders to create a new internal infrastructure that reflects the growth of Indigenous Education at RRC, and is more agile and responsive to the needs of learners. This has resulted in the development of 12 new positions, including two Navigators, Academic and Enrollment Coaches, a Transition to Employment Coach, and a Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Manager.

“Everything we do as a College is ultimately about the success of our students. As Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning, we are taking the lead to create more pathways to post-secondary education, deliver innovative and relevant programming, and ultimately, increase graduation rates among Indigenous students,” said Paul Vogt, RRC President and CEO.

These new programs and supports for Indigenous students build on the many positive initiatives and milestones Red River College has celebrated in the last year, including:

• Opening the College’s first Sweat Lodge at the Notre Dame Campus.
• Opening a new Indigenous Student Support Centre at The Roblin Centre to better support Indigenous learners pursing studies at the Exchange District Campus.
• Creating two new Anishinaabemowin language courses designed to support the growth of Indigenous language revitalization in Manitoba’s schools and advance reconciliation efforts in our province.
• Taking training outside of the traditional classroom and offering two new skilled trades community-based training programs to students in Lake Manitoba First Nation and Sagkeeng First Nation.
• Redeveloping and expanding our ACCESS programs to better meet the needs of students, and to provide opportunities to enroll in a wider range of program offerings including new streams in Health and Engineering.

Winnipeg, MB – The Province of Manitoba is helping Red River College (RRC) reach new heights in aviation and aeronautics training by supporting the College’s acquisition of its successful Stevenson Aviation Campus, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today.

“Our government recognizes the leadership shown by Red River College in the purchase of their campus property, where they provide essential training for Manitobans in a skilled and high-demand industry,” Wishart said. “This is a fiscally-responsible plan that will help ensure many more people can pursue a career in aeronautics and learn in an exceptional environment with industry leaders and experts.”

The Manitoba government enabled the purchase of the Stevenson Aviation Campus by approving RRC’s plan to borrow up to $8 million to acquire the previously-leased facility. RRC requires government approval to borrow, as set out by The Red River College Act. By purchasing the campus from its landlord, Hubert Kleysen, RRC will save nearly $1 million over the term of the mortgage and will have greater flexibility to grow and adapt its renowned aviation and aeronautics programs.

“Red River College works shoulder-to-shoulder with industry to deliver cutting-edge training at our Stevenson Campus, and to provide students with the job-ready skills they need to compete here at home, and on a national and global stage,” said Paul Vogt, RRC president and CEO.

“By acquiring our campus – with the support of the provincial government – we will continue to provide strong workforce training for Manitoba’s aerospace and aviation sector, which is one of the largest in Canada. This move will make us more agile and ensure that we are successful for generations to come.”

RRC’s Stevenson Aviation Campus offers diploma programs for aircraft maintenance engineers, aerospace manufacturing technicians and gas turbine engine repair. Each year, RRC trains about 400 students in these programs, boasting high graduation rates in the 80 to 90 per cent range.

“Boeing Canada Winnipeg is proud of our diverse, talented, and innovative workforce, many of whom are graduates of Red River College and were trained at the Stevenson Campuses,” said Kim Westenskow, GM, Boeing Canada Winnipeg.

“As one of the largest aerospace composite manufacturers in Canada, our partnership and collaboration with the College has been imperative in advancing our role in the global aerospace industry. We are proud to celebrate this important milestone with you today, and a bright future ahead.”

The campus, which is located on the west side of the Winnipeg airport, also offers specialized training for individuals already working in the industry, to help them meet certification requirements and continually upgrade their skills and knowledge. All programs are developed with industry partners and follow federal aerospace guidelines.

Over 5,000 people are directly employed by the aerospace and aviation sector in Manitoba.  Aerospace manufacturing, repair and overhaul, training and related services contribute $1.9 billion to Manitoba’s economy every year. The province is home to the third-largest aerospace sector in Canada.

Move over, Warren Buffet. A team of students from Red River College’s (RRC) Business Administration program recently proved they have the know-how to assess a person’s situation and deliver successful financial planning advice when they won first place at the 2018 Canadian Institute of Financial Planners Case Challenge in Calgary, Alberta.

This was RRC’s first time participating in the challenge, which saw the team, made up of four students specializing in Financial Services (three competitors and an alternate), competed against five teams from three other Colleges in the Western Canada division.

“Competitions like this are as close to real life as the students are going to get,” said Maria Vincenten, Financial Services Instructor at RRC. “The feedback and experience is unbelievable for the students, and it helps the industry to recognize our program as having strong learning outcomes. We are applied learning – so any time we can showcase what we’re doing here (at the College) helps us evolve the program further.”

Beginning in January, Shelby Joss, Vitor Machado e Melo, Virginia Giesbrecht, and Shannon Krahn would practice as if they were competing in the challenge that day. In the morning they would receive the details of a case and spend two hours discussing and strategizing the best way to help the ‘client’ and hand in their materials to their instructor. In the afternoon they would be able to briefly review their notes before giving a 20 minute presentation, followed by notes and discussion with Vincenten.

“Practicing looking at cases and making recommendations for different clients was a fantastic way to pull together everything we were learning in class and apply it to real life situations,” said Shannon Krahn, the team’s alternate. “Aside from honing my teamwork skills, the experience also helped me grow in my understanding of financial products and how to deal with clients.”

The types of cases, and the skills necessary to provide strong advice, being practiced by the group matched the curriculum of what they were learning in class – which was another advantage of taking part in the competition.

“I wanted to improve my teamwork and rational thinking skills,” said Vitor Machado e Melo. “At school you learn a lot of important information, and the additional work – being able to practice and compete – helped us link everything. I think for me the biggest strength that I acquired is being able to see a problem and apply it to a client’s big picture.”

The Financial Services specialization in the Business Administration program is designed for those interested in banking, insurance and finance as a career. It is also the only program in Manitoba that offers three certified courses, allowing students to become certified in Canadian Investment Funds (CIFC) and the Life License Qualifcation Program (LLQP) through the Investment Funds Institute of Canada, and certified in the Fundamentals of Insurance through the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba.

By placing first at the Western region competition, the team is now working to improve their skills before facing off against the Eastern champions at the first ever national event this June in Halifax.

“We need to keep honing the skills and finding new ways to tackle problems,” said Shelby Joss. “If I want to be a financial advisor, what better way to be recognized by an employer than to say I won a national competition in financial planning.”

Learn more about Red River College’s Business Administration program here: http://me.rrc.mb.ca/catalogue/ProgramInfo.aspx?ProgCode=BUSAF-DP&DescriptionType=19&RegionCode=SC

Winnipeg, MB – An alternator-driven electric bicycle, a study on lullaby therapy for infants, an online divorce agency, and a social media assessment for the Winnipeg Police Service, are just a small sample of the close to 30 student-led research projects that will be on display today at Red River College’s Applied Research Innovation Day.

This event, now entering its second year, welcomes close to 200 participants from the College, and its partners in business and industry, to learn about the College’s many research initiatives and to learn about the student’s experiences and successes in applying their work – in many instances – in a real-world environment.

“We started our applied research initiatives a little more than a decade ago, and today we’re leading the way in applied research here in Manitoba, and across Western Canada,” said Paul Vogt, President and CEO, RRC. “More and more the idea of teaching and learning is moving away from students sitting and desks and taking notes and towards hands-on, collaborative projects. Applied Research & Innovation Day strongly showcases the success of that approach to learning.”

Today’s event will feature an industry luncheon with a keynote from Paul Soubry, President and CEO of New Flyer Industries – recently named Canada’s top CEO of the year by the Financial Post. The luncheon will also feature a high-speed student quick-pitch competition – similar to what you would see on CBC’s Dragon’s Den – where the top four group projects from the morning’s student showcase will explain how their research created a sustainable solution to a real problem.

While today marks an important milestone for our students’ research projects, it’s also an important milestone for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) – one of the many federal partners who support RRC’s applied research initiatives – as they prepare to announce their 10,000^th Engage Grant at today’s luncheon in support of colleges and universities across Canada.

At the College these grants have helped RRC students and grads to develop new products, especially in the College’s culinary research program that created the macaroons being served as dessert for today’s luncheon and were developed with NSERC funding at RRC by Piccola Cucina.

“There are some amazing products being made in Manitoba that start with locally-sourced ingredients and turn into something elevated. We’re proud to be able to announce here at Red River College that NSERC has been able to provide more than 10,000 Engage Grants – up to $25,000 per project – to colleges and universities across the country. It’s research like this that is pushing the country forward and adding value to our already rich resources,” said Bert van den Berg, Director, Colleges, Commercialization, and Portfolio Planning Division.

Engage Grants are designed to give innovative companies that operate from a Canadian base access to the unique knowledge, expertise and capabilities available at Canadian universities and colleges.

The Applied Research and Innovation Day event has doubled in size this year with the addition of external exhibitor booths including Bioscience Association Manitoba, Cypher Environmental, New Media Manitoba, North Forge Technology Exchange, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and many others.

All of today’s activities are being hosted at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus with the student showcase beginning at 9:00am in the mall level, and the keynote and quick-pitch competition taking place in the Voyageur Dining Room starting at 11:30am.