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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

RRC Polytech is devastated by the tragic accident that took place near Carberry yesterday afternoon. Our condolences and thoughts are with the families from Dauphin and the surrounding areas who have suffered unimaginable loss, and with those who are still in hospital receiving care.

We thank all of the first responders who rushed to the scene to provide care, and our health care workers who continue to offer support and care to those in hospital. 

On behalf of the College, we offer our thoughts to the families and the communities whose lives are forever changed and acknowledge that this devasting incident has wide ranging impacts. 

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

In fall of 2022, the Zone Permit program was introduced at Notre Dame Campus. Over the last year, we’ve collected data, taken feedback, reviewed zones and pain points, and are excited to announce several improvements that will come into effect on September 1, 2023.

Here’s a quick summary of changes:

• Designating specific lots for daily parking;
• Designating specific lots for permit holders;
• Creating an additional zone: North, West, Central (Staff Only), and South;
• Renaming the lots for easier navigation; and
• Updating the process for electric vehicle and accessible spots.

Daily and guest parking

Each zone, aside from Central, will have designated daily parking areas for those who purchase daily or hourly parking. Angood Road (updated name: South 3) Northeast (updated name: North 1) and West 1 will be designated guest and daily parking areas. Please see map below for specifics.

Permit holder only lots

Each zone will have dedicated permit holder only lots. Only those with an active permit for that zone will be able to park within those lots. Daily and guest parkers will be required to park in the designated Daily areas on campus.

Additional zone

An additional zone has been added, and there are now four zones to select from. The South lot (updated name: South 1) and East lot (updated name: South 2) will now fall under the South zone. All lot names will be updated to align with the new zones and make it easier to navigate around campus. Maps will be posted online and across campus beginning August 1, 2023. Please see map below for specifics.

Staff-only zone

The new Central parking zone will now become a staff-only permit zone due to its layout and stall configuration. All other zones will remain shared between staff and students. The South and East lots will no longer be a part of the Central zone as they will fall under the new South zone. 

Updated process for electric vehicle and accessible spots

All parkers who drive an electric vehicle (EV) and wish to charge while onsite will be required to purchase either a power permit or daily/hourly parking pass. Electric vehicle parkers will then be able to charge in any available EV stall regardless of zone. Once your charge is complete, you will be required to move back into a spot within your permit zone to support all EV parkers.

All permit holders who require permanent accessible parking will be asked to reach out to Commuting and Parking Office directly to begin the registration process. All temporary requests should be directed Lori Walkow in Accessibility Services.

As the parking program evolves, we want to ensure our commitment to not oversell any permits or zones. If you have any questions, please contact parking@rrc.ca and we’ll be happy to help you! 

Last week, RRC Polytech was pleased to host Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland at the Notre Dame Campus. Minister Freeland participated in a roundtable discussion with industry partners, toured spaces across the campus, and had the opportunity to speak with students, faculty and leaders about the important work we are doing at Manitoba’s Polytechnic.

The visit began with an economic roundtable discussion with Minister Freeland and industry stakeholders from across Manitoba, hosted by RRC Polytech President and CEO, Fred Meier, VP Academic, Dr. Christine Watson, and VP Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, Jamie Wilson.

Following the hour-long discussion, President Meier and Derek Kochenash, Dean of Skilled Trades and Technology, toured Minister Freeland around the campus and met with staff and faculty in RRC Polytech’s Smart Factory and Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology Research Centre, MotiveLab, and spoke with students in our Transportation Technology and Women of Steel programs. 

This visit provided RRC Polytech the opportunity to invite key community and business leaders on Campus, and to highlight to our national leaders how RRC Polytech’s programs and applied research directly benefits priorities in the federal budget related to clean technology, EV technology and support for critical minerals and mining.

Recognizing these two distinct sovereign nations an important step in Reconciliation; new Pride design creates inclusive environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation – Today, Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is raising three flags in an act of unity, pride and inclusivity to mark the beginning of National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. The Treaty One flag, Red River Métis flag and RRC Polytech’s new Pride flag will now fly year-round at the Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg to acknowledge the history of the land, respect for the treaties made on the land, and representation of the people who live here.

“RRC Polytech is committed to enacting Truth and Reconciliation and equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do. A large part of that is creating representation and inclusive spaces on our campuses,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech. “By raising these three flags we are demonstrating to staff, students and community members that this is a place where you belong. We know that there are still institutions and situations where 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous and Métis people don’t feel welcome or recognized – but at RRC Polytech we are giving a firm message that everybody belongs and is welcome here.”

The three flags will be raised at 1:30p.m., with support from Joan Ledoux, Minister of Provincial Education at the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) – the National Government of the Red River Métis; David Beaudin, Associate Minister of Provincial Education at the MMF; Knowledge Keepers Barbara Bruce and Albert Mcleod; Vic Savino, Treaty One Nations Director of Communications, Peguis First Nation; Frank Beaulieu, Cultural Advisor, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation; Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Treaty One Territory; and members of the RRC Polytech community. Ray “Coco” Stevenson will be providing a hand drum Flag Song for the ceremony

Treaty One Flag

Treaty One represents Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Nehiyaw (Cree) original peoples of the territory of present-day southern Manitoba, including the Forks at the Assiniboine and Red rivers which was a vital trade and gathering site.

Treaty One Nation is composed of the seven First Nations who are signatories to the first of the numbered Treaties, originally signed on August 3, 1871 at Lower Fort Garry after several days of discussions and ceremonies.

“I am extremely proud to see RRC Polytech raise our Treaty One flag on their campus today. Despite the spirit and intent of the Treaty, which has benefitted the people of Manitoba for over 150 years, we were continuously denied of our rights, our titles, our jurisdictions, our culture, our language, and our children,” says Chief Gordon Bluesky of Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation and Treaty One Chairperson.
“Despite our darker periods of history, we are still standing strong, and each one of these flag-raising ceremonies is a concrete, tangible expression to our Treaty Partners that we are still here. Today, we can all look forward to a brighter future for the next generations, and feel the pride in sharing the history of Indigenous peoples on this land. Through these actions of reconciliation, our young Indigenous learners have a very bright future ahead.”

The Treaty One Nation flag was designed to incorporate the original spirit and intent of the Treaties: green, to represent the grass; blue, to represent the waters; and yellow to represent the sun. The red represents the circle of life and the red people who inhabit this land. Lastly, the seven points around the sun represent the seven signatory First Nations of Treaty No. 1.

RRC Polytech recognizes in its land acknowledgement that the land we use is the land of the Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené and that Treaty One is the agreement that allows us the live the way we do.

Red River Métis Flag

The Red River Métis have a rich and important history, language, and culture. The Red River Settlement – now Winnipeg – is the heart of the Red River Métis Homeland and the birthplace of the Nation.  
 
“The Red River Métis have been fighting to have our rich culture, heritage and history recognized and respected for over 200 years. Manitoba is the only province in Canada to have been brought into confederation by an Indigenous Nation with the signing of the Manitoba Act in 1870, intertwining the history of the Red River Métis with the history of Manitoba. Today, the MMF, the National Government of the Red River Métis, has made great strides in advancing our Nation and regaining our rightful place in Canada’s confederation. This flag-raising today is one small step toward a brighter future for our Red River Métis Youth, ensuring that they know their identity is recognized and celebrated as they achieve their educational goals at this institution,” said Minister Joan Ledoux, Minister of Provincial Education and Associate Minister of Métis Employment & Training at the Manitoba Métis Federation.
 
RRC Polytech recognizes the impact that the Red River Métis had in the formation of this city, province, and country. The Red River Métis were instrumental in confederation and fought battles to retain their rights throughout history – in the courtroom, in houses of government, and on the battlefield. 
 
RRC Polytech Pride Flag

Last year RRC Polytech revealed the design of its new Pride Flag, which was painted on pedestrian walkways at the Notre Dame Campus, Exchange District Campus, and Portage la Prairie Campus. Moving forward, the flag will also be raised at RRC Polytech’s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute throughout the month of June.

The College’s Pride design is an evolution of the Progress Pride flag that includes representation for all 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex and Asexual) community members, and includes specific Indigenous elements.  It was created through engagement with RRC Polytech’s Knowledge Keepers Council, with a strong lead from Two Spirit and Métis Elder Barbara Bruce, and Two Spirit and Cree/ Métis Elder Albert McLeod.

RRC Polytech’s Pride design includes the following elements:

• The triangle represents the badge LGBT prisoners were forced to wear in Nazi concentration camps.
• Moving the triangle to the bottom maintains this meaning, but also forms a tepee, which is a shelter shape historically used by many First Nations people in Manitoba and shows the upward momentum of the movement.
• The Medicine Wheel incorporates traditional Indigenous knowledge and teachings.
• The purple and yellow circles around the Medicine Wheel recognize intersex folx.

By combining these elements and colours and displaying them in prominent locations, the Pride design has been created to represent all human beings, and welcome everyone on Indigenous lands.

“The Pride design was developed collaboratively across the College, carefully considering the meaning of all elements of the design, such as the colours, location of the chevron, and centering and orienting the Medicine Wheel,” says Vera Godavari, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist. “At RRC Polytech we are committed to our reconciliation journey as we walk the path of understanding, respect and advocacy with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As learning organization, we celebrate our progress and continue our dedication to this important work through these ongoing initiatives.”

In addition to consulting with RRC Polytech’s Knowledge Keepers’ Council, Students Association, and its Gender and Sexual Identities working group, RRC Polytech also worked with the Rainbow Resource Centre on the evolution of the College’s Pride design.

Members of the community and media are invited to attend the ceremony from 1:30-3:30pm, today, Monday June 5, 2023 at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Avenue).

Last week 19 students from RRC Polytech represented Team Manitoba at the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition, which took place at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. The competition saw more than 550 secondary and post-secondary competitors from across the country competing in more than 45 categories of skilled trades.

RRC Polytech students won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and earned valuable experience throughout the competition. Beyond growing their technical skills, they also had the opportunity to work on human skills – teamwork, time management, listening, problem solving – while also building connections with professionals from their respectiveindustries.

Congratulations to the medalists, and to each of the competitors for demonstrating their skill.

RRC Polytech Medalists

• Derrick Penner, Cabinet Making, GOLD
• Kevin Schroeder, Bricklaying, GOLD
• Mathew Dyck, Aerospace Technology, SILVER
• Dorrian Selley, Car Painting, SILVER
• Jacob Abbey and Kayla Wieler, Landscape Gardening, BRONZE
• Luke Friesen, Outdoor Power & Rec Equipment, BRONZE
• Mason Bessey, Steamfitter, BRONZE

RBC Best in Region – Manitoba:

Derrick Penner, Cabinet Making

Complete results and more information can be found on the Skills Canada website

Christian Zacharias is no stranger to carpentry — he says he’s been swinging hammers since he was three years old. With a desire to pursue a practical career in carpentry, he went on a journey that led him to Apprenticeship Manitoba, and eventually to RRC Polytech.

“Growing up, I really enjoyed working with my hands, doing and helping with projects around the house and at my cabin,” Zacharias recalls. “I didn’t want to spend years at university to get a degree, it just wasn’t for me.”

Today, he’s working as a residential finish carpenter while he attends RRC Polytech where he hopes to earn his Red Seal Certification.

Zacharias’ skills as a carpenter have not gone unnoticed. He competed and won gold at the Skills Manitoba competition and represented Manitoba at the 2022 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Vancouver last year.

Initially unsure of what to expect at SCNC, he received extra training after work to go over skills and concepts he hadn’t previously learned or mastered. The additional support played a crucial role in his preparations. Even though he fell short of clinching a victory at the SCNC last year, he drew from this experience and won gold in Carpentry at this year’s Skills Manitoba competition.

“It was a great confidence booster that my skills as a carpenter are improving, and now there’s some proof of that,” Zacharias says. He is eagerly anticipating SCNC in Winnipeg this week, and is thrilled to showcase his abilities on home turf.

His word of advice to anyone competing at SCNC: Look at the bigger picture and visualize the end result before starting. Creating something isn’t just memorizing material, but understanding how everything works and connects together by looking at all the details.

Zacharias says his instructors at RRC Polytech have been an invaluable source of guidance and support. He credits them for their commitment to helping him succeed, and showing him opportunities he didn’t even know were available.

As he continues to grow and excel as a carpenter, Zacharias is forever grateful for the opportunities that have come his way and the people who have supported him along his path.

The Carpentry program at RRC Polytech is a five-month course offered at the Notre Dame Campus. Although it’s not an apprenticeship program, students can transfer their credit towards apprenticeship through Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Learn more about the Carpentry program by using RRC Polytech’s Program Explorer.

More than a dozen Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) students will be representing Manitoba this week in the annual Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), after winning big at the Skills Manitoba Competition in April.

One of them is RRC Polytech Professional Baking and Pastry student Gayeong Yun, who won gold in Baking at Skills MB.

“I am very delighted and proud of myself to be representing Team Manitoba. For me, it’s the first time I get to participate in a competition on behalf of a province or region,” said Yun.

As an international student from Korea, she arrived in Canada in August 2022 year to study at RRC Polytech.

Yun joined the preparatory team for the competition late, and as a result, she felt behind compared to her colleagues. To compensate, she often practiced after school and on her days off.

She credits her instructors for providing her with everything she needed, not only to succeed in the competition, but as a professional baker. Skills like tempering chocolate, cooking sugar, and making daily work plans were just some of the things she took from the program and showcased at last month’s competition.

“I have great respect for the chefs in my program, and I am always grateful to them,” Yun said. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the best chefs in the College.”

During the Skills Manitoba competition, Yun was given 5.5 hours to create two components for judging: a plated dessert of chocolate caramel tarts, and a chocolate showpiece. The theme for this years’ competition, The Four Seasons, had to be represented in some way for both components. Part of the judging criteria also included sanitation, safety, and equipment.

To participate in SCNC, Yun not only had to win gold but also score higher than 70 per cent.

SCNC will be held at the RBC Convention Centre on May 25 and 26. Skills Canada expects over 550 competitors participating in 45 skills.

RRC Polytech’s Professional Baking and Pastry program teaches students like Yun the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue a variety of baking and pastry careers. The program is held at the state-of-the-art facilities in the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute at the Exchange District Campus.

Learn more about the Professional Baking and Pastry program by using RRC Polytech’s Program Explorer.