Red River College’s (RRC) Board of Governors announced today that Mr. Paul Vogt will join Red River College as the institution’s fifth President and CEO effective August 17, 2015.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Paul Vogt to Red River College,” said Lloyd Schreyer, Chair, Board of Governors, Red River College. “Paul’s extensive background as an administrator and public service leader and his contributions to education policy in Manitoba will be an asset as Red River College continues to evolve and grow as a leading post-secondary institution in Manitoba.”

Paul Vogt was head of the public service in Manitoba for eight years. He joins Red River College after serving as an Executive in Residence at the University of Manitoba and advising on the development of a multi-year post-secondary education strategy for Manitoba. He also helped to establish the province’s new Advisory Committee on Advanced Education.

“While Paul’s extensive background is well-suited for institutional leadership, his relationships within the community are key to driving strategic planning initiatives with various stakeholders who contribute to the mission of the College,” said Schreyer. “I look forward to working with Paul as the College continues to prepare skilled graduates to drive Manitoba’s economy.”

Education has been a fundamental part of Paul’s career. After completing his B.A. (Honors) in Political Studies at the University of Manitoba, he earned a Rhodes Scholarship and pursued graduate study at Oxford (where he earned an MPhil Politics degree) and Princeton University.  Following his studies he returned to Manitoba to begin a career as an educator and public servant.

Over the past 25 years, Paul taught at the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg and Canadian Mennonite University. He has lectured on a wide range of subjects, including public administration and governance, Canadian politics, political theory, feminist theory and economics.

From 1999 to 2005 Paul served as Policy Secretary to Cabinet for the Government of Manitoba, and from 2005 to 2013 he served as Clerk of the Executive Council and Cabinet Secretary. He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Manitoba in 2013/14 and taught in the University of Manitoba’s and University of Winnipeg’s Masters in Public Administration program.

“Education is the cornerstone to create a thriving economy,” said Paul Vogt. “I am honoured to join Red River College, an institution that plays a critical role in our community with a proud past and bright future. By building on the College’s impressive track record and working with dedicated employees, labour and government, I am excited by the opportunity we collectively share to continue to evolve creating rewarding and engaging opportunities for students, staff, and faculty at Red River.”

External to his post-secondary contributions, Paul’s community and industry impacts are notable. He was the 2013 recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Public Service, the 2014 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration and the 2015 recipient of the University of Manitoba’s Distinguished Service Award.

He has served on the United Way Cabinet, the Board of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and the Advisory Council to the Dean of Science at the University of Manitoba. Paul has also served on a number of scholarship and awards committees, including the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, the Loran Scholarship Selection Committee, the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council and the selection committee for the Public Service Excellence Awards.

He currently serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy Board, the Fort Whyte Foundation Board and the 2017 Canada Games Committee.

Red River College (RRC) shall pay tribute to two community leaders and passionate Manitobans at RRC’s spring convocation ceremony held June 9 – 10, 2015 at the Centennial Concert Hall where 2600 RRC students will celebrate graduation.

Honorary Diploma recipients this year are President & CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Dave Angus (Business Administration), and local Winnipeg Radio Host and community advocate Mr. Ace Burpee (Creative Communications).

“Both recipients are leaders in their community; their contributions are widely known and well respected,” said David Rew, Interim President & CEO, Red River College. “On behalf of the Board of Governors and the Awards Committee, I congratulate both individuals for their outstanding contributions to our community and for their work as advocates for Red River College.”

Mr. Angus has been a long-standing fixture in Winnipeg’s business community, having served as the Chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and as the President and CEO since 1999. Under his leadership the Winnipeg Chamber has increased its membership to the highest level in its history and has been recognized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce as an Accredited Chamber with Distinction. ++

Mr. Angus also played an instrumental role in bringing a World Trade Centre to Winnipeg; establishing Leadership Winnipeg, Yes! Winnipeg and the BOLD initiative: a grassroots public policy campaign designed to mobilize the community behind forward-thinking BOLD ideas to increase prosperity in the City.

Mr. Burpee has been a celebrity and leader in Winnipeg’s broadcast industry for more than a decade and is well known for the hundreds of charitable events and causes, both local and international, that he donates his time to every year.

Through his tireless efforts Mr. Burpee has helped raise millions of dollars for countless charities and has helped bring awareness surrounding many important social and community issues.

Mr. Burpee’s community work has earned him many national and community-based awards including the Queen’s Diamond Jubliee Medal, the Hero of Mental Health Award, and the Volunteer Manitoba Award for Outstanding Community Leadership and last year he was recognized as a Manitoba Hero.

Mr. Burpee is the current host of The Ace Burpee Show on 103.1 Virgin Radio, a columnist with Metro Winnipeg, and the host of The Great Tastes of Manitoba.

The honorees will receive their diplomas at convocation ceremonies taking place Wednesday, June 10 at the Centennial Concert Hall.

To learn more about RRC’s convocation ceremonies visit: www.rrc.ca/convocation

A Manitoba delegation of 200 cheered “TOBA, TOBA” as 31 high school, college and young apprentices took to the podium claiming 10 gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze medals at the Olympic-style Skills Canada National Competition in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“We are very proud of all 60 Team Manitoba participants and their performances at the 21st Skills Canada National Competition. Participants trained for months leading up to the Annual Skills Manitoba Competition (held at Red River College April 9, 2015 in Winnipeg, MB) to qualify for the opportunity to represent Manitoba at the Skills Canada National Competition,” stated Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba. From construction and manufacturing to technologies and service, 550 young students and apprentices from 13 provinces and territories were in Saskatoon competing in 46 different trades over 2 days.

“I wish to congratulate Team Manitoba on their medals at the Skills Canada National Competition and to also recognize our staff’s support,” said David Rew, President & CEO of Red River College. “Our college is committed to support skilled trades as not only the host site for the Annual Skills Manitoba Competition but on a national level with a large contingent of staff attending and supporting by judging, volunteering and contributing through the National Technical Committee.”

Skills Canada Manitoba, a member of Skills Compétences Canada, is a provincial not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to attract young Manitobans to careers in skilled trades and technology. ’ Our youth are an important part of our future and now more than ever, the need for highly skilled workers in a variety of occupations is crucial to our country’ said Maria Pacella. This event is an excellent opportunity for youth and their families to network and learn from private and public sector employers about skilled trades and emerging technologies.

Skills Canada Manitoba has recently won the bid to host the 2017 Skills National Competition. The event will take place in Winnipeg in spring of 2017 and provide Manitobans with an opportunity to look at career options in skilled trades and technology. The Skills Canada National Competition highlights skilled trades and technology careers in a competitive environment and reinforces their importance in building a strong and vibrant economy.

Red River College was presented with the bronze award for Innovation in Applied Research by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) during the closing gala of their annual conference last night in Winnipeg.

The award celebrated the College’s dynamic applied research partnership with Manitoba Hydro.

“We are pleased to be recognized for the work we have done with Manitoba Hydro, one of our most important research partners and graduate employers,” said David Rew, President and CEO of Red River College.  “What an excellent opportunity to celebrate our research achievements in sustainable technology and design.”

Manitoba Hydro’s research collaboration with the College has focused primarily on green building design and technology and the electrification of vehicles. Two of their most notable projects include Manitoba Hydro’s award-winning energy efficient downtown office tower and more recently, the all-electric transit bus.

“Our partnership with Red River College has fostered an environment for creative integration on leading-edge technology that contributes to a more sustainable future,” said Scott Thomson, president and CEO of Manitoba Hydro.  “We view our relationship with the College as an important driver for long-term change that will promote continued innovation and advancement of energy efficiency in Manitoba.”

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Paul Charette, former CEO of Bird Construction and Red River College alumnus, and his wife Gerri have donated $1 million towards the establishment of a research chair for the School of Construction Engineering Technology (SCET) at Red River College.

The Province has agreed to provide matching funds to create the new chair position, entitled the Paul Charette – Manitoba Applied Research Chair in Sustainable Construction.

“We are humbled by Paul and Gerri’s generous commitment and very pleased that the Province has responded with matching funds,” said David Rew, Interim President and CEO of Red River College. “It’s an excellent show of confidence in our School of Construction Engineering and Technology and our nationally recognized applied research program.”

This position will support student learning while helping the construction community develop innovative processes, technologies, and applications to reduce costs, boost productivity, and create more sustainable infrastructure; the Chair will also lead SCET’s research program.

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Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) brings its annual conference to Manitoba this year with the help of four local colleges. Assiniboine Community College, l’École technique et professionnelle de l’Université de Saint-Boniface, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology and Red River College will host this important national event from May 24 to 26.

Over 600 leaders from the technical education sector are expected to take part in this year’s conference that will look at how colleges and institutes lead change through innovative practices and approaches in teaching and learning, applied research and engagement with business.

CICan’s 2015 Conference will be held at Winnipeg’s RBC Convention Centre, with a reception at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It will feature several prominent keynote speakers, including Comedian Rick Mercer, National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations and entrepreneur David Chilton, better known as the Wealthy Barber.

Several pre-conference activities will be held, including a symposium on rural education and partnerships hosted by Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College, a workshop on mentorship, an international forum that looks at ways colleges and institutes can support immigrant integration and a symposium on learning technologies hosted by Algonquin College.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/conference/

Colleges and Institutes Canada is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes and polytechnics. The association works with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada. CICan operates in 29 countries via 12 offices around the world.

This week, Red River College will have an Italian flair as two well-known childcare specialists, Filippini Tizianna and Laura Rubizzi, participate in a 6-day conference aimed at teaching the value of the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the importance of pedagogical research in early-childhood development.

Reggio Emilia is a worldwide program that is based on the principles that children are capable and competent and they should have some control over the direction of their learning. Developed in Italy following the Second World War, Reggio Emilia is quickly making headway in many Canadian public schools and daycares as it transforms cultural assumptions about children and their intellectual abilities. Read More →

Red River College (RRC) has been awarded $1.75 million over 5 years from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to establish the Centre for Building Envelope Performance (CBEP) at their Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg.

CBEP is expected to significantly increase access to the College’s facilities, equipment, and expertise for Manitoba’s building industry, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises whose products and services directly impact a building’s envelope.

The envelope can significantly impact a building’s overall construction and maintenance costs, durability, appearance, occupant comfort and health, and energy performance.

“This grant will provide a meaningful enhancement to our ability to serve Manitoba’s construction sector with advanced graduates and professional training, as well as fostering innovation in a critical component of building design and construction,” said David Rew, Interim President and CEO of Red River College.

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This week Red River College (RRC) will launch its spring 2015 advertising campaign to celebrate the success of alumni and the diverse, innovative organizations that hire them. 

“Red River College alumni are known throughout Manitoba and the world for possessing the necessary skills to be V.I.P.’s in their chosen fields,” said David Rew, Interim President & CEO, Red River College. “It’s just one of the many reasons RRC Grads Get Hired, and this spring we’re celebrating the role our alumni play in driving Manitoba’s economy and how they are leaders in their careers and their workplaces.”

As part of 2015’s spring campaign, Red River College invited organizations to participate in a creative, co-operative advertising campaign. The cost-sharing model provided an opportunity for industry partners to promote their brand and to celebrate an RRC grad, a V.I.P., within their organization. 

“This is an excellent opportunity to partner with Red River College and recognize a valued member on our executive team,” said Paul Soubry, President & CEO, New Flyer Industries Inc. “Red River College develops skilled grads that are driving Manitoba’s economy and New Flyer is pleased to provide meaningful employment in our community.”

Appearing this spring in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, the 2015 billboard campaign features more than 40 members from RRC’s alumni community. Visit  http://blogs.rrc.ca/marketing/2015/03/rrc-grads-get-hired-billboards/ for a look at some of what you can expect to see over the next couple of months.

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Red River College is proud to be named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015. This prestigious recognition highlights employers that stand out through their efforts to create diverse, inclusive workplaces.

This is the first time Red River College has been recognized with this distinction. Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015 was announced today with 65 organizations leading the nation in creating inclusive workplace cultures.

“At Red River College we strive to ensure that equity and diversity are embedded in the College’s practices and that it is demonstrated in the classroom, and throughout the workplace,” said David Rew, Interim President & CEO, Red River College. “Equity and inclusion are an integral part of our values that allows Red River to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. I know I speak for the entire organization when I say how honoured we are to have Red River College recognized with this distinction.”

As part of Red River College’s submission many areas were highlighted as initiatives that support an inclusive and open environment at Red River, they include the College’s LGBTT* Initiative, Mental Health First Aid, along with many wellness and staff award and recognition programming to support staff success and well-being.

“Red River College has always been proactive in their efforts to support its employees and today’s award is ongoing recognition of the work we are doing,” said Lori Grandmont, Acting Vice-President, Human Resources and Sustainability, Red River College. “I want to congratulate our staff for their work on these initiatives and for their input into continually finding new and innovative ways to strengthen our workplace.

Red River College would also like to congratulate other Manitoba organizations recognized with this award – The Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance, Cargill Ltd., and Boeing Canada Operations Ltd.

Red River College has nine campuses and annual enrolments of more than 30,000 in full-and part-time degree, diploma and certificate programs. Through award-winning instruction and training on state-of-the-art equipment, RRC prepares its students to become leaders in their fields, while partnering with industry to conduct research and ensure curriculum remains up-to-date.