News

Manitoba is investing $1.4 million over two years to improve the recognition of foreign credentials and get people working more quickly, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby and Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick announced today.

“The Manitoba government has been working to improve the recognition of foreign credentials, allowing new Manitobans the ability to put their education and experience to use sooner and establish successful careers in our province,” said Selby, at a press conference held at Red River College. “Today, we’re announcing new supports for our universities and colleges to work with trained and talented newcomers to put their skills to work. It’s good for our economy and it means newcomers can more quickly put down roots in Manitoba.”

This initiative will fund pilot programs designed to assist internationally educated newcomers get their professional qualifications recognized quickly and transition smoothly into the work force. Read More →

She beat out some pretty stiff competition to land the Greatest Summer Job in the City.

Kayla Jeanson, a Film Studies student from the University of Manitoba, is excited to be part of Winnipeg’s Exchange District, and to serve as Red River College’s first-ever “Blogger in Residence”.

“I hope to shine a light on the experience of living downtown. I want to showcase the beauty of our Exchange District”, said Jeanson. “I have a strong following on social media so I’m hoping I can engage with them, and thousands of other people throughout the city and province. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”

Jeanson moved in on June 28and will live rent-free in the RRC residence until August 16. As part of her job as the “Blogger in Residence”, Jeanson will be submitting five stories a week and providing content to Twitter, Facebook and any other creative means she wants to use.  Read More →

When people hear the word “business”, they often think of a retail store. But in reality, business is that and so much more.

Business training is universal, and the skills learned can be transferred to a number of industries, including health care, education, social services, construction and even fashion. Simply put, a business education is a great place to start any career.

Red River College offers a two-year Business Administration diploma program with specializations in accounting, marketing, financial services, human resource management (new this year), and general administration. As with all RRC programs, we take a hands-on approach to business training, and we offer students the ability to further their education down the road via articulation agreements with a number of other universities.

Click here to learn more about the Business Administration program at RRC.

They took home every prize except one. A group of 14 advertising majors from Red River College’s Creative Communications program are $90,000 richer this week, having achieved a near-clean sweep at the Imagine Students (Verb) Charities awards gala, hosted by Muttart Foundation and Imagine Canada on June 21, in Toronto.

The biggest award of the night, $50,000 for first place, was presented to Creative Communications students Emily Doer, Courtney Brecht and Corinne Rikkelmann, for their awareness campaign, I am a Charity Case.

“It was such a strong campaign. It had some edge to it, and I think that really helped our product stand out,” said Doer. “I am still reeling from the win – I wouldn’t even cash the cheque until I got home.”

A total of 50 submissions were received for the contest and the judges had to narrow the field down to 12 ad campaigns. All five teams from RRC were notified they made it to the second round, where they would be given the chance to refine their campaign materials. At that point contest organizers would select six winners and invite them to the awards gala in Toronto. By mid-May all five teams were invited.

“It was an intense and emotional evening,” said Doer. “As they kept calling out names I just became more nervous and anxious until they had the final two teams on the podium and I was up there with my team. It was a great way to end the year.”

The contest was launched to get students to find a creative way to demonstrate how charities have a far reaching and positive effect. Teams were able to take any approach and use any medium to help communicate their message.

“I believe the primary reason that advertising majors from Red River College dominated this contest is because the Creative Communications program is the total package,” said Susan Nicol, advertising and marketing instructor. “Every instructor gave the students the tools they needed to do well in this competition, and they have met and exceeded our expectations.”

Full list of the award winners:

• First Prize of $50,000 was awarded to Emily Doer, Courtney Brecht and Corinne Rikkelmann from Red River College for their campaign, I am a Charity Case

• Second Prize of $25,000 was awarded to Suzy Bodiroga, Alex Kyle, Monique Pantel and Josie Marier-Loeppky from Red River College for their campaign, Charities are at the Heart

• Third Prize of $10,000 was awarded to Laura Stobbe from the University of Victoria for her campaign, A Charity Was Here

• Fourth Prize of $7,500 was awarded to Mitch Kruse and Tamara Adams from Red River College, for their campaign, Without Charities

• Fifth Prize of $5,000 was awarded to Jaclyn Leskiw, Michael Trakalo and Katie Madziak from Red River College, for their campaign, Charities are Everywhere

• Sixth Prize of $2,500 was awarded to Tanner Ziprick and Kelly McGuinness from Red River College, for their campaign, Most Canadians wouldn’t know a charity if it hit them in the face

To view the student submissions visit them at the Students (Verb) Charities

See the full release from Imagine Canada and the Muttart Foundation

A rockin’ power chord salute and a round of flying windmills go out to the students at Ecole Selkirk Junior High, who under the tutelage of RRC alum Kris Hancock (Industrial Arts/Technology Teacher Education) have raised more than $100,000 to help support the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

The students raised the scratch through their wildly successful B.O.S.S. (Building on Students’ Success) Guitar Works program, in which kids are taught to make functioning electric guitars after school. Once built and painted, the guitars are sent to visiting rock stars and other high-profile celebrities for signatures (among them, Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, Gene Simmons and The Tragically Hip), before being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Last week, ESJH students presented the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights with a cheque for $68,421, the proceeds from two guitar auctions — one online, the other live — held in May 2013. That amount, in combination with the $32,579 raised during the program’s inaugural auction in 2011, brings B.O.S.S.’s total CMHR donations to $101,000. Read More →

Red River College continues to expand the scope of its international partnerships, having recently met with a high-level delegation from the African nation of Nigeria.

Delegates toured RRC’s Notre Dame and Exchange District Campuses on Tuesday, June 4. Among the visitors were representatives from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) — the umbrella organization of employers in the organized private sector of Nigeria — and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), a federal parastatal under the Ministry of Industry that provides direct training, vocational and apprentice training, human resource development information, research and consultancy service to industry and senior government officials from Lagos State.

The group was accompanied by Jimmy Agbayani, Senior Program Officer, International Partnerships for the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). During the visit, delegates and RRC officials explored a number of collaborative opportunities in the areas of Hospitality Management, Trades and Technology.

Each year, Red River College awards a Red River College Honorary Diploma to an individual who demonstrates high standards of excellence in their personal and professional achievements, and whose involvement in the community is widely recognized.

Known and respected throughout Canada for her wisdom, gentle spirit and tireless dedication to the community, Stella Blackbird has a special ability to build trust and understanding across cultures and nations.

An Elder and Red Eagle Woman from the Turtle Clan, Stella has served as an Elder, Traditional Healer, Medicine Teacher and facilitator for healing programs and teachings across Canada and the U.S. She has devoted years to the women of Keeseekoowenin First Nation (where she resides), and to women and men in neighbouring First Nations communities, providing counselling and healing and leading traditional ceremonies. Stella also provides teachings at Medicine Eagle Camp, which she helped establish on the sacred ceremonial grounds of the ancestors near Riding Mountain National Park.

Stella has a vast knowledge of traditional medicines, which she shares with those from all nations and backgrounds. Earlier in her career, she served as Resident Elder for the Ontario Native Education Counselor Association in Sudbury, and provided health services for the Ojibway Tribal Family Services Sacred Circle in Kenora. She also served for years in the Third Canada Rangers of the Canadian Armed Forces, providing traditional teachings and survival skills to youth and adults at Camp Borden. Read More →

Graduates of RRC’s Youth Recreation Activity Worker program gathered to celebrate their achievements last Friday, at a special event held to showcase their contributions to the community.

On Friday, June 7, the program’s graduating class met at RRC’s Roblin Centre to pay tribute to each others’ achievements, and to mark the College’s 12th year of making a difference in the lives of inner city youth.

“Congratulations to all of the Youth Recreation Activity Worker program graduates,” said lead instructor Kerry Coulter. “You have already affected the lives of so many youth in a positive way and I know you will continue to have a huge impact in our community and with each individual child you are yet to meet.”

The program, which trains participants to work with inner city youth, was launched in response to increased demand for drop-in programming at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg. Building on existing materials from RRC’s Child and Youth Care program, the College developed a 10-month certificate program to train a new generation of young adults to serve as recreational leaders.

Graduates of the program, many of whom face socio-economic barriers themselves, often go on to find jobs with Boys and Girls Clubs and other inner city youth agencies, or as childhood educators and teachers’ aides.

Last week’s event was attended by a number of politicians and community leaders, including Mayor Sam Katz, Premier Greg Selinger, and Boys and Girls Clubs President Ron Brown.

Click here to learn more about the program, which is open to students aged 18 to 29.

A heartfelt thank-you — and an equally heartfelt congratulations — to everyone who took part in Red River College’s entry in the 2013 Pride Winnipeg Parade on June 2.

Approximately 60 students and staff members, together with friends and family, donned bright red RRC t-shirts while walking the parade route in support of Manitoba’s LGBTT community.

As a result of their enthusiasm (and possibly all the free frisbees they handed out!), Red River College won the “Best Walking Group” award from Pride Parade organizers.

Click here to see a gallery of photos from the event.