2009 Annual Magazine - Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

For pre-employment programs, flexible schedulingmeans making classes available during eveningsand weekends.A new option is to bring the College to the community.Starting this Fall, RRC will deploy two Mobile TrainingLabs to bring skilled trades training to rural and northerncommunities. These state-of-the-art labs are capable ofdelivering electrical, piping, heavy duty, welding,automotive or carpentry training nearly anywherein Manitoba.The Apprenticeship Branch and Manitoba’s communitycolleges are also working on a pilot program to provideapprenticeship training on-line. Combined with shortervisits to a college for hands-on training, on-line deliverywill make training more accessible, with less disruptionto learners and employers.Providing opportunities for advancementIt’s also important to offer experienced employees thechance to upgrade their skills and take on additional responsibilities on the jobsite.RRC has partnered with the Canadian Construction Association and Manitoba Heavy Construction Association to offer GoldSeal Accredited courses, along with leadership courses in management, labour relations, and occupational safetyand health.For more technical needs, the Technology Solutions for the Workplace program offers short courses for employees toupgrade their skill base in areas like design, construction, testing and geomatics.Investing in new facilitiesRRC has accommodated the last decade of growth by squeezing as much as possible out of the 40-year old facilities atthe Notre Dame Campus.Ultimately, the additional growth needed to meet the needs of the labour market will require industry and government supportfor an expansion of facilities. RRC has embarked on a multi-year capital campaign to rebuild the workshop and classroomfacilities at its Notre Dame campus.A new Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC) will open in January 2009, providing a 60% increase in capacityfor heavy equipment programs, and opportunities for applied research partnerships with industry.Revitalization of the existing trades training infrastructure is next. By enlarging current facilities and upgrading technology,RRC will be able to add new programs and spaces. This will be a key feature in helping the province add 4,000 new apprenticeshipspaces over the next four years.Much has been done to meet the exploding labour market needs for skilled trades and technologists, but there is still moreto be done. With the support of industry, RRC will modernize its infrastructure and expand its programming to ensureManitoba has the skilled professionals it needs to grow.Ken Webb is Vice-President, Academic and Research at Red River College.Project3:Layout 1 5/23/07 11:43 AM Page 1MHCA 2009 Annual Magazine 27