At the start of the current academic year, David Rew — formerly the Vice-President of Student Services and Planning at Red River College — took over as Interim President and CEO, following the departure of former president Stephanie Forsyth.

Born in Scotland and raised in Malaysia, Rew has been an RRC employee for the last 35 years, and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, having in the past served as everything from co-op coordinator and instructor to program chair and dean.

We sat down with Rew to discuss his vision for the coming academic year, as well as his hopes and goals for the College going forward.

You’re taking over as president and CEO under somewhat challenging circumstances. What would you like to say to staff, students and supporters of the College about the events of the last few days and months?

The last few months have certainly created a sense of uncertainty and unease. But the reactions to these events have — from what I’ve sensed and picked up — created a sense of relief, primarily because we now know that we have fully staffed and engaged leadership at the College. Part of that sense of feeling good about where we’re heading is that I’m really encouraged by how the Executive group has rallied and is committed to rebuilding a really effective team.

Last week, we had a couple of gaps in the Executive group. We’ve now filled those. Raeann Thibeault is coming in as acting Vice-President of Community Development, and Cindee Laverge is coming in as acting Vice-President of Student Services and Planning. This rounds us out, and we’re going to spend some time together working through the key issues and priorities we know we have to address, and we know we have to address them pretty quickly. We’re not going to be doing that in isolation — we’re going to be engaging people from around the College who we feel can help us work through the problems we’ve identified.

On a broader note, going down to the staff barbecue last Friday — and getting a chance to walk around and talk to people — felt really good and really positive. There were smiling faces, people were glad to be back, and they were wishing me well, which I really appreciated. I felt we got off to a good start to the year, so I’m really encouraged and really hopeful that we will have an excellent year. Read More →

CBC Radio One (89.3 FM/990 AM) is preparing to broadcast live at not one, but three Red River College campuses on Thursday, Sept. 4!

Marcy Markusa, host of Information Radio, Marilyn Maki, host of Radio Noon, and Ismaila Alfa, host of Up to Speed, will bring listeners live interviews and stories about how RRC students are making an impact on Manitoba’s workforce.

CBC Manitoba will have a station set up at specific times during the day at each campus; students are encouraged to be on the lookout. Those who stop by the station and show the CBC Radio App on their smartphone will have the opportunity to win an iPad mini!

Locations and Times

Notre Dame Campus
Information Radio, 6:00am – 8:30am with Marcy Markusa

Roblin Centre
Radio Noon, 12:00pm – 1:00pm with Marilyn Maki

Paterson GlobalFoods Institute
Up to Speed, 3:00pm – 6:00pm with Ismaila Alfa

More programming information is available at cbc.ca/manitoba, on Facebook at facebook.com/cbcmanitoba, and on Twitter at twitter.com/cbcmanitoba.

Follow CBC’s radio hosts on Twitter at @CBCMarcy, @CBCMarilyn and @CBCIsmaila.

Welcome back, all new and returning Red River College students!

As a way to celebrate your first few weeks of classes, and to help you get a feel for your new surroundings, the Red River College Students’ Association has a full slate of back-to-school events planned.

See below for details on welcome events and DisOrientation Week activities. And don’t forget our Aboriginal Student Support & Community Relations team is also hosting a Welcoming Celebration for students, this Thursday at the Notre Dame Campus!

Tuesday, Sept. 2
Maw’s Eatery and Red River College Students’ Association presents…
Back to School BBQ
Free food, drinks and Fanta floats for students
Where: Bijou Park (beside Paterson Global Foods Institute, 504 Main St.
When: 11am – 1:30pm
*Rainout backup at Maw’s Eatery and Beer Hall (291 Bannatyne Ave.)
Feat. Musicians Mark Mills & The Vikings

Back to School BBQ Afterparty
Live music; food and drink specials for students
Where: Maw’s Eatery and Beer Hall (291 Bannatyne Ave.)
When: Doors open at 1:30pm

Wednesday, Sept. 3
MTS and Red River College Students’ Association presents…
Welcome Back BBQ
Free food, drinks and Fanta floats for students
Where: Outdoor courtyard between buildings D,E,F at Notre Dame Campus
When: 11am – 1:30pm
*Rainout backup in The Cave Lounge at NDC
Feat. Musicians Mark Mills & The Vikings

DisOrientation Week 2014 (Sept. 8-12)

Monday, Sept. 8
Magic performance: Wonderist Chris Funk
Where: The Cave Lounge at Notre Dame Campus
When: 12pm – 1pm
Free show for students Read More →

Red River College’s Aboriginal Student Support & Community Relations team will host a Welcoming Celebration for students on Thursday, September 4, from 11:15am to 1pm, at the Notre Dame Campus.

Students have a lot on their minds when going back to school — like housing, buying textbooks, and just finding their way around campus. The Welcoming Celebration offers a break from it all — complete with a free lunch and the chance to meet other students while being entertained by comedian Don Burnstick.

Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014
Time: Doors open at 11:15am; Don Burnstick’s comedy show starts at noon
Place: F209, Aboriginal Support Centre (Notre Dame Campus)

For more information, please call 204.632.3773.

Aboriginal students from the Interlake marked some high-voltage achievements in the latest regional offering of Red River College’s Pre-Employment Electrical program, netting a combined average grade of 89.24% in classes delivered at the Peguis – Fisher River Campus.

The 10 students — eight young men, and two young women — celebrated their success at a special celebration on Wed., July 30 in Peguis.

The five-month Pre-Employment Electrical certificate program develops the knowledge and skills required for employment in the electrical field, including fundamentals of electricity, electrical codes, wiring practices, and trade safety awareness.

The program is made possible through funding from Apprenticeship Manitoba, and creates a terrific opportunity for students with no previous experience to become apprentice electricians.

“Red River College’s community partnerships prove to be invaluable,” says Darlene Bouvier, Manager of RRC’s Interlake Campuses. “As part of our community strategic planning, the Peguis – Fisher River Campus is providing preparatory courses prior to program delivery, that engage students in building self-esteem, while facilitating teamwork and providing participants with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for continued learning success.”

For more information on RRC programs and services in the Interlake, including at the Peguis – Fisher River Campus, call 1.204.785.5328 (toll-free 1.866.946.3241) or visit rrc.ca/interlake.

Red River College’s International Education office will again showcase the best Manitoba has to offer this season, while welcoming a group of visiting Chinese students taking part in its Summer English Language Camps.

Launched last year, the two-week program provides a unique way for international students to improve their language skills, while also learning more about local and national culture through field trips and tours of Winnipeg.

Delivered by RRC’s Language Training Centre, the camps balance fun and interactive classroom sessions with outings to some of the city’s most popular attractions — including parks, museums, historic sites and summer festivals — all while helping students build confidence by using English in class and in everyday situations.

“Last summer, students took a tour of the city with Winnipeg’s Trolley Tours, walked through the Exchange District, went on a tour of the Manitoba Legislature Building, and were able to attend tours of various programs that RRC has to offer,” says Kelsey Griffth-Parker, Program Coordinator of the summer camp.

“They also visited Polo Park Shopping Mall, Assiniboine and Kildonan Park, and were involved in many ‘Winnipeg’ activities — including visiting Lower Fort Garry, The Forks, and attending a Goldeyes baseball game!”

This year, 19 students from the Shenyang Institute of Engineering and 12 from the Shanghai Medical Instrumentation College will take part in the language camp program, which runs from July 27 to Aug. 8.

Camp organizers are currently seeking volunteers to assist with airport pickups, field trips and tours — activities that will take place during afternoons, evenings and weekends.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Kelsey Griffith-Parker at k.griffthparker@gmail.com.

Two Red River College students were honoured by the provincial government this month, picking up International Student of the Year Awards for their contributions in and out of the classroom.

Presented by the Manitoba Council for International Education and the Province’s International Education Branch, the awards recognize the contributions of international students to the Manitoba community. Each year, three students are recognized in the categories of Secondary, Post-Secondary and Language Programs.

Andy Thong Quoc Pham, recipient of this year’s award for Post-Secondary Students, has been an RRC student since 2013, completing language studies at the Language Training Centre (LTC) before enrolling in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute downtown.

Since his arrival as a new international student from Vietnam, Andy has made a number of important leadership contributions to the RRC community, excelling in his studies, representing his class on the Student Advisory Board, and participating in RRC’s Cultural and Language Mentor Program.

Andy also completed Ally Training as part of RRC’s LGBTT* Initiative, and launched an LGBTT* and Friends Club on-campus. He is outgoing and friendly, and reaches out to support and advocate for his classmates and others. As he enters the second year of his program, Andy plans to maintain a high GPA, and run for an elected position on the RRC Students’ Association executive.

Rae Ting Ting Shi, recipient of this year’s Language Program Award, graduated from the LTC in April 2014, and is now pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education. During her time at RRC, she was proactive, organized and resourceful as she worked to improve her English skills.

Rae also contributed to the LTC community through her positive attitude, creativity and flexibility, participating in both classroom and College events, and organizing potlucks and other activities for her fellow students.

Both Andy and Rae picked up their awards — which include a monetary prize of $200 and a certificate signed by the Minister of Advanced Learning and Education — on July 14. They will also be recognized this fall at RRC’s annual Welcome Party for Immigrant and International Students.

Red River College students brought home four medals from this year’s Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto.

Held June 4-7, the Olympic-style competition drew more than 500 participants from across Canada — all of them gold winners in their respective provincial contests.

A total of 15 RRC students represented Team Manitoba in a number of trades and technology-related fields. Congratulations to the following medalists:

• Dexter Bracken and Andrew Tutte (shown above): Silver, Landscaping Gardening
• Kyle Duguid: Silver, Aircraft Maintenance
• Clark Holmes: Gold, Auto Service
• Nina Widmer: Silver, Brick Masonry

Click here for a full list of winners.

From left: Apprenticeship and Certification Board Chair Leonard Harapiak; Minister of Jobs and the Economy Minister Theresa Oswald; RRC alum Nina Widmer (Bricklaying Apprentice); Reg Toews, Coordinator, Red River Technical Vocational Area High School Apprenticeship Program; RRC President Stephanie Forsyth.

More than 230 youth will gain awareness and exposure to the skilled trades through the province’s new Building for Tomorrow summer program – a series of educational camps and work experience programs delivered by Red River College and a network of other business, community and educational partners

“This summer, many of our children will have new opportunities to have fun while learning about a potential future career in various trades, including construction and transportation, trade and technology, hospitality and the culinary arts,” said Jobs and the Economy Minister Theresa Oswald. “Our government is focused on helping families and youth in exploring the many paths to good jobs and rewarding careers right here in Manitoba, and starting that conversation while kids are still in school.”

The province will support more than a dozen new camps during the summer, including RRC’s Girls Exploring the Trades and Technology (GETT) camps, which gives girls aged 12 to 14 the opportunity to design and build their own go-carts, while learning about the importance of science, math and industrial arts-based courses in high school.

Other camps include:

• RRC’s Portage Campus will offer two one-week programs, introducing 32 Aboriginal youth (Grades 6 to 8) to various skilled trades; Assiniboine Community College will offer 15 participants introductory experiences in carpentry or culinary arts.

• Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association Inc., in partnership with RRC, will offer 15 Aboriginal youths (Grades 9 and 10) with opportunities to experience different trades, with a special focus on the culinary trades, while learning about the apprenticeship training model; participants will receive certified food-handler training and workplace hazard information system training.

• University College of the North will provide 80 Aboriginal youth in Flin Flon with the basic skills needed for a successful career in the skilled trades.

• Career Trek Inc., in partnership with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council and Winnipeg Technical College, will provide 24 Grade 9 youth with exposure to the carpentry trade.

Read More →

From left: Melanie Wight (MLA, Burrows); Manitoba Finance Minister Jennifer Howard; RRC President Stephanie Forsyth; and Wescan Capital President Peter Jessiman.

A new pilot program at Red River College this fall will provide individuals with intellectual disabilities full access to post-secondary educational opportunities and a successful transition into the workforce.

The 20-student Transforming Futures program will begin in September 2014, and will include hands-on learning in career exploration, essential employability skills and full integration into RRC programming if a student chooses this option. Students will complete classes leading to their certification, which will help them get ready for future employment.

“Red River College’s vision aligns with the goals of this program: to enable all students to build a career, enhance quality of life and contribute to Manitoba’s economic and social prosperity through exceptional applied education and research,” says RRC President Stephanie Forsyth. “This is the largest college in the province, and we are uniquely positioned to deliver accessible, innovative programming for students with intellectual disabilities. With the financial support of the province – and support of community champions and private donors – this pilot project is ready for launch.”

The 2013 Assuring Income Security and Equality for Canadians with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families report from the Canadian Association for Community Living estimated that 70 per cent of adults with intellectual disabilities are unemployed or out of the labour force, and are three times more likely than non-disabled Canadians to live in poverty.

“Training opportunities are essential in transforming an individual’s inherent talents and interests into marketable skills,” said Jobs and the Economy Minister Theresa Oswald. “Removing barriers and increasing accessibility to education is one key way to ensure Manitobans with intellectual have the opportunity to take part and further strengthen the work force.” Read More →