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Curl power: Project Management grad stages event to celebrate natural hairstyles

October 25, 2017

Shondell Babb

Shondell Babb dares to wear her natural hair, and now she’s encouraging others to embrace their curls, too.

Babb, of Thiah Management and Consulting, has partnered with Black Space Winnipeg to present the Naturally Gorgeous – Curly Hair Event at the Norwood Hotel this Sun., Oct. 29 at 3 p.m.

Babb says there is a lack of awareness amongst women with Afro-textured hair — as well as hair stylists and hair-product vendors — regarding how best to deal with the kinks in their hair.

“In mixed race, black and Afro-Canadian people with really curly hair, there’s a natural hair movement — away from chemicals or putting a weave in or wig on,” says Babb, who graduated from Red River College’s Project Management certificate program in 2010.

“Culturally, when we look at magazines or TV, a lot of times our hair isn’t represented and it’s also very politicized. I’m doing [the event] because a lot of women are natural, but if you grew up relaxing your hair and then you go natural you’re dealing with really kinky, curly hair, and you basically don’t know what you’re doing.

“You know the inside spring on a pen? That’s my curl. I used to relax my hair and then I let my hair grow out and I’m dealing with the inside coil of a pen, every single one of my hairs grows out like that. It’s like, ‘How do I manage this?’ Read More →

Y2K for a project management instructor

September 29, 2017

Amanda Simpson, Program Manager of IT and Professional Studies, and Steve Thompson, 2017 Teaching Excellence Award winner

Steve Thompson has been a Project Management instructor (in IT and Professional Studies) for the last 12 years, and has been instrumental in the development of the Project Management Fundamentals course content.

As of this term, he has now taught 2,000 students in the Project Management Fundamentals course alone.

Read More →

Learn about the CPHR Designation

September 14, 2017

Come learn about the Chartered Professional in Human Resources Designation and hear from Red River College Alumni about their experiences.

Time: 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Date: Tuesday, September 19
Location: P107 – 160 Princess Street (Exchange District Campus)

Free pizza while you learn!

Click here to pre-register (and make sure there is enough pizza!)

Read more about our Human Resource Management certificate program.

Inaugural Peterbilt training program scores 100% employment rate

September 8, 2017

2017 graduating class, Peterbilt Technician Institute

All six students enrolled in the first class of a specialized mechanics and technology course will walk out the doors of Red River College and into new careers as certified technicians for Peterbilt Motors Company.

The students are graduates of the new Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI), launched in partnership with the College earlier this year. The Institute is a manufacturer-paid training initiative offered to graduates of RRC’s Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic program, and to those interested in advancing their skills to become certified Peterbilt technicians.

For Alexandra Pratt, the experience means getting her foot in the door of a great career.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to get started in a career with such a well-known and reputable company,” ays Pratt. “I learned so much through this program, and would recommend it to anyone looking to start a career with the Peterbilt family.”

The six students were the first to complete the comprehensive training program, earning ten key certifications to earn their designation as Peterbilt Master Technicians.

This new program allowed the students to gain experience in all aspects of the work done at a Peterbilt dealership. Peterbilt Motors Company supplied the curriculum, laptops for the students, three trucks, two engines and specialized tools to help ensure the students’ success in becoming confident in their skills and career-ready by the end of the 12-week session. Peterbilt also trained RRC instructors to deliver the program at the College.

“Red River College is built on supporting the backbone of not only Manitoba’s economy, but many important sectors all across the country and throughout North America,” says Arnold Boldt, RRC’s executive director, Academic. “This new partnership with Peterbilt was a perfect fit when it came to accessing our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities.” Read More →

Practicum leads to employment for Administrative Assistant graduate

August 21, 2017

Frida Sibal, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Frida Sibal is proof positive that it’s never too late to realize your dreams.

Eight years after arriving in Canada from the Philippines, and nearly 30 years after her last stint as a full-time student, Sibal enrolled in Red River College’s Administrative Assistant program.

“It was finally the change I was looking for in Canada, deciding to go back to school and choosing Red River College,” says the 49-year-old graduate. “There is room for success for people my age.”

Last December, Sibal completed a three-week practicum at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Five months later, the Crown corporation called, wanting to know if Sibal was interested in filling a term position as a human resources administrator.

Sibal leaped at the opportunity.

“The experience they are giving me is amazing,” Sibal says. “I am doing work for the educational assistance program, keeping files organized electronically. It’s a lot of day-to-day data entry — the kind of work that requires keen attention to details, because it involves a lot of workflows and processes. You really have to have sharp eyes to make sure you are entering the right data.”

After just three months, Sibal is already involved in orientation sessions for new staff.

“I love that,” she says. “I get to meet the new employees and talk to them and guide them… I would not have been confident doing that if not for the presentation classes I took (at Red River College).” Read More →

Kids Enjoyed a New Summer Camp at RRC

July 17, 2017

Last week, the School of Continuing Education launched its second summer camp for kids: Kids Design Camp.

16 children ages 10-14 had the opportunity to design their own products and living spaces — tracing the path from concept to drawing board to production. They worked with Josephine Pulver, professional designer, in the drawing studios at the Roblin Centre. They learned about top views, cubic volume, designing to scale and used their incredible creativity, individually and collectively, to create forts, wallpaper patterns and to-scale models of their bedrooms, family rooms and homes.

See what they designed →

Fall Term is open for registration

June 30, 2017

You can now register for Fall Term classes. Many sections fill up fast so check on the online catalogue to ensure to your spot.

The Program Guide contains descriptions of the 100-plus part-time and full-time certificate and diploma programs offered by the School of Continuing Education. The document also includes general information, registration forms, and important phone numbers.

Review the Fall Program Guide to see what courses are required in each program. Always review the online schedule as the print schedule is subject change.

Download the 2017 Fall Program Guide →

Training the next generation of Peterbilt Technicians

June 20, 2017

Today, Red River College, along with the Peterbilt Motors Company welcomed its first group of students to the newly established Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI) at the Notre Dame Campus. This is Peterbilt’s first training institute in Canada.

PTI is a manufacturer-paid training program offered to graduates from RRC’s Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic program and Peterbilt employees who are interested in advancing their skills and training to become a certified Peterbilt technician.

“Red River College’s strengths in delivering this program come from our faculty’s connection to industry and the expertise that they bring along with it,” said Tom Grant, Chair, Transportation and Heavy Apprenticeship Trades, Red River College. “Having this training program delivered here will help Peterbilt develop their next generation of technicians and we’re excited to play an important role in supporting them.”

While the trucking industry plays a big part in ‘driving’ Canada’s economy – with more than 25,000 people employed in the trucking and transportation industry in Manitoba alone – Red River College brings a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in delivering industry specific training programs to help manufacturers develop their workforce.

In addition to PTI, RRC also provides a variety of other industry specific training programs for many vehicle manufacturers in Canada, which made RRC an ideal choice when Peterbilt began exploring options to establish their first training institute in Canada to make this program available to their Canadian dealerships and employees.

“Partnering with RRC will allow us to address the industry-wide shortage of qualified and certified Peterbilt service technicians. Our partnership will attract the next generation of Peterbilt technicians who will exceed expectations through exceptional service for our customers and their vehicles,” said Kyle Quinn, General Manager, Peterbilt Motors Company.

This new training program will last 12 weeks with the first intake running from June to September. A Spring 2018 intake is also planned for next March.

Interested students should visit rrc.ca/pti to learn more.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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