A classic car built by Red River College students has helped to raise over $60,000 in support of young Manitoba residents pursuing training and accreditation in the area of skilled trades and technology.

The car, a replica 1933 Modified Ford, will be raffled off this week as part of a fundraiser launched through a partnership between Skills Canada Manitoba and the College. It was built from a kit purchased by Skills Manitoba, and assembled by more than 100 RRC students and apprentices in a number of trades and technology programs, including Automotive Pre-Employment, Automotive and Motorvehicle Apprenticeship, and Collision Repair and Refinishing.

Students and apprentices worked under the supervision of instructors from the College, putting their theoretical skills into practice by taking the car from its bare bones early stage to road-worthy completion

“The significance of this car is huge for us,” says Neil Cooke, chair of Transportation, Math and Sciences at RRC. “Students can apply the skills they have mastered, but more importantly they take pride and ownership in the vehicle.”

The car’s new owner will be drawn at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, during a reception at RRC’s Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre.

Funds raised by the raffle will go to promote Skills Manitoba’s career awareness programs, and to help students and apprentices taking part in provincial and national skills competitions. The next Skills Manitoba Competition takes place April 11, 2013, at Red River College.

“Skills Canada Manitoba is very grateful to the students and staff of Red River College for the   many, many months of hard work and most of all for the incredible passion and commitment demonstrated by everyone involved” says Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba.

“We’re proud to support career development in Manitoba through education and technology, and we’re really excited that students have been able to use their education and skills while working on this project.”