News

Check out the ingenious creations and talents of Manitoba’s best and brightest as they compete in the 18th annual Skills Manitoba Competition on Thursday, April 9, from 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus.

Approximately 500 young Manitobans will compete in over 40 Olympic-style, hands-on contests at the secondary and post-secondary/apprentice levels. You’ll see a showcase of skills in robotics and manufacturing, 3D character computer animation, construction trades, hairstyling, and many others.

Winners of many of the competitions will advance to the Skills Canada National Competition in Saskatoon from May 27–30, 2015.

Hosted by Skills Canada Manitoba, this event is designed to provide much needed awareness of Canada’s skilled workforce shortage. Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba, says most people are unaware of the merits of post secondary training in trades and technology. Notes Pacella, “The skilled trades offer opportunities for positions with great pay, job security and flexibility. There is a continuing significant worker shortage in many of these areas.”

While visiting the competition, you’ll also have the change to learn more about how Grade 8 girls are being introduced to career options in the trades and technology field, at this year’s Young Women’s Conference.

Also hosted by Skills Canada Manitoba, this one-day event features entertaining and informative keynote speakers and team activities, plus an opportunity to talk to mentors from employers such as Manitoba Hydro, Boeing, Standard Aero and Manitoba’s Apprenticeship Branch.

Red River College is extending the VIP treatment to its graduates this spring, through a newly-launched promotional campaign that celebrates the achievements of not just our alumni, but also the diverse organizations where they find employment after graduating.

As part of the new campaign, RRC invited employer organizations to partner with them on a creative, co-operative advertising blitz. The cost-sharing model provided an opportunity for industry partners to promote their brands, while also showcasing a VIP (and RRC grad) within their ranks.

“RRC alumni are known throughout Manitoba and the world for possessing the necessary skills to be VIPs in their chosen fields,” says David Rew, interim president at RRC.

“It’s just one of the many reasons RRC Grads Get Hired. 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.”

Appearing this spring throughout Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, the new billboards, bus benches and digital ads feature more then 40 members of RRC’s accomplished alumni community.

“This is an excellent opportunity to partner with RRC and recognize a valued member of our executive team,” says Paul Soubry, president and CEO of New Flyer Industries, whose vice-president of human resources, Janice Harper, is featured on one of this year’s billboards. (See above.)

“Red River College develops skilled grads who are driving Manitoba’s economy, and New Flyer is pleased to provide meaningful employment in our community.”

Visit RRC’s Marketing and Web Presence site for a sneak peek of the full campaign.

Creative Communications students proved their industry training has gone to the dogs (and cats) this month, while helping to find homes for neglected animals during the Winnipeg Humane Society’s annual fundraising telethon.

On Sunday, March 22, students took part in their fourth Liberty Tax 1001 Donations event, a live nine-hour telethon on Shaw TV that’s produced entirely by students from all four CreComm majors — advertising, journalism, public relations and media production.

Students were responsible for filling every moment of screen time with alternately heart-breaking and heart-warming content, shooting and editing nearly 30 behind-the-scenes stories depicting how WHS staff and volunteers care for injured, abused and abandoned animals.

Students were also responsible for creating all graphics and promotional materials, and on the day of the telethon, for all control room and camera work, as well as on-air hosting and live interviews.

“The show was such a success, almost every available animal was adopted,” says CreComm instructor Joanne Kelly.

Fundraising totals are still being tallied, but the telethon has already drawn raves from the Canadian broadcasting industry.

In May 2014, Kelly’s Live TV Production class earned the Best Student Special/Live Remote award from the Broadcast Educators Association of Canada (BEAC), for their work on the 2014 telethon, which raised a record $72,000 for the Humane Society.

Red River College’s Hospitality and Culinary students served up a very special surprise to diners at their downtown restaurant this month — treating guests to an impromptu performance by former Winnipeg rockers The Watchmen.

The alt-rock quartet was in town for a reunion show at the Burton Cummings Theatre on Sat., March 21, but made a detour through our restaurant Jane’s a night early, much to the delight of diners and invited guests.

On the night in question, around 50 guests were gathered at Jane’s — enjoying meals of pan-seared duck breast, stuffed pork tenderloin and cedar-grilled salmon — when Christine Crowe, RRC’s acting vice-president Academic and Research, rose to welcome the Watchmen and invited them to play a short set.

The bandmates happily obliged, delivering acoustic versions of new track Trampoline and fan favourites All Uncovered and Any Day Now. Following the performance, they stuck around to mingle and sign autographs for fans — many of whom had received special invitations to Jane’s, but weren’t told their dinner would include a surprise show.

The event was made possible through a partnership between RRC and Tourism Winnipeg, whose reps were in attendance to help showcase the sort of one-of-a-kind cultural opportunities that occur “only in The Peg.”

(Not surprisingly, the corresponding hashtag #onlyinthepeg was trending sixth in all of Canada the night of the show, as guests shared photos and video clips through social media.)

“We’re all about doing unique things in this city, and that’s what #onlyinthepeg is all about,” says Cody Chomimak, director of marketing for Tourism Winnipeg. “Working with Red River College, Jane’s and The Watchmen made for some seriously fun times. You could tell everyone had a blast — and how could you not, when the food, service and entertainment was so brilliant?”

Jane’s will soon re-open for lunch and dinner service. Click here to explore the menu, or to make a reservation.

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 the College has been recognized with this distinction. The full list of employers for 2015 was announced earlier 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 RRC President. “Equity and inclusion are an integral part of our values that allow the College to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. I know I speak for the entire organization when I say how honoured we are to have [been] recognized with this distinction.”

As part of the College’s submission, many areas were highlighted as initiatives that support an inclusive and open environment, including the College’s LGBTT* Initiative and Mental Health First Aid resources, along with a number of wellness and staff awards, and recognition programming to support staff success and well-being. Read More →

Red River College is giving Manitoba’s electric vehicle (EV) owners a boost, via the recently installed and operational Level 3 (30kW DC) quick charging station, the first of its kind in the province and one of only two dozen or so across Canada.

Drivers of Level 3-compliant EVs – including Nissan Leafs, Mitsubishi i-MiEVs, and Teslas – can now drop by the College’s Notre Dame Campus to charge up, while contributing to research on the charger’s performance in Manitoba’s climate.

“With the installation of this new charger, we continue to play a leading role in Manitoba’s green transportation future,” says David Rew, interim RRC president. “This rapid charging station is another key element in our Mobility from Green Energy Initiative and a logical next step in our vehicle technology research program.”

Level 3 stations can charge an EV to at least an 80 per cent charge in 15-30 minutes; this is compared to a 220/240V Level 2 charger, which can take four to six hours to get to full charge, or an 110/120V Level 1 charger (like those found around your house), which can take about 24 hours.

“There are currently no other rapid charging stations of this level in a climate as diverse as Winnipeg’s,” says Ray Hoemsen, director of Applied Research and Commercialization at Red River College. “The effect on both the lithium ion battery and vehicle performance when utilizing rapid charging in extreme winter weather is still unknown.”

The new charging station will be handy for compliant EV owners – especially those traveling from out of town – who need a quick boost to make it to their next destination. Read More →

Congratulations to Red River College instructor Tim Appleton, who was recently named Chef of the Year by the Winnipeg branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation (CCFCC).

An instructor in RRC’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Appleton (shown above, third from left) has been an active member of the Winnipeg Chefs Association for years, and has been involved in the CCFCC at both the board and national level.

The Chef of the Year Award recognizes a deserving chef who has demonstrated both commitment to (and involvement in) the CCFCC Winnipeg Branch, as well as the community in general.

The award is voted on by a committee within the CCFCC, based on nominations brought forward by membership. The CCFCC is Canada’s national association for chefs and cooks, with 40 branches throughout the country providing links between industry and career development.

You know what they say about March: In like a lamb, out like a linebacker. (Out like a line dancer? Lion tamer? Something like that.)

Anyway, March is well underway, the snow is starting to melt, and as always, the Red River College Students’ Association has a full slate of activities on tap to help students and staff celebrate spring.

From pub nights and karaoke jams to cultural showcases from around the world, there’s no shortage of seasonal events in store. See below for details, or visit rrcsa.ca for more.

St. Patrick’s Day Pub Night

Tuesday, March 17
Kings Head Pub
Cover: $5

Sample from the Kings Head’s extensive selection of draft beer, while enjoying sets by local Celt-rockers Dust Rhinos and Celtic Way. Read More →

It could be a while before it’s warm enough for tents and trailers, but here at Red River College, camp season is already in full swing.

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll host a number of specialized camps and workshops designed specifically for younger students interested in exploring the following areas:

Electronic/Electrical Engineering Technology

First up are the Saturday Kids Kamps offered by RRC’s Electronic and Electrical Engineering Technology programs. From now until April 4, students in Grades 7 and 8 can take part in day-long sessions that introduce them to basic concepts and theory, while also giving them the chance to put their new knowledge into practice through fun activities and assignments.

In the Electronic Technology camps (9 a.m.-noon at the Roblin Centre), kids learn about basic electrical concepts such as voltage, current and resistance; work with lab instruments like digital multimeters and oscilloscopes; and study pitch, volume and timbre by observing sounds created by guitars and amplifiers.

In the Electrical Engineering Technology camps (1-4 p.m. at Notre Dame Campus), kids are introduced to robotics and robotic programming via the Lego NXT-G system. After learning about sensors and actuator functions, they’ll work in groups to program solutions to increasingly difficult problems, before building their own robots using a selection of available materials.

Both camps are free of charge; click here for more information or to register. Read More →

Following a comprehensive search, Red River College is pleased to announce Debbie Frankel will take over the role of Vice-President, Finance and Administration, commencing May 19, 2015.

A Certified General Accountant, Frankel joins RRC from the Misericordia Health Centre, where she served as chief financial officer for the past three years, managing a large operating budget with a diverse area of responsibility that included finance, supply chain management, food services, plant services, security and parking and project coordination.

Frankel has an extensive financial background serving Manitoba’s healthcare industry. Her roles have included administrative director, director of finance, and chief administrative officer at the Grace Hospital, as well as director of finance for CancerCare Manitoba.

At RRC, she will serve as chief financial officer and treasurer for the Board of Governors. In her role, she will oversee all aspects of the current Finance and Administration portfolio.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Frankel to Red River College’s executive team,” said David Rew, Interim President and CEO. “Her skills and experience will be a tremendous asset to our organization. She brings the necessary expertise and leadership to the College in the areas of finance and administration and we are pleased to welcome such an accomplished and qualified individual to our team.”