Manufacturing in Manitoba

C M Y K 4 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2019 C M Y K Clockwise from left: An RRC student programs manufacturing equipment; RRC students review the prototype for a CAD manufacturing project; students can study Mechanical Engineering Technology at RRC. Right photo: MITT offers Industrial Welding. Above left: MITT students prepare for their careers through the Network and Computer Technology program. Above right: Students can get hands-on experience in MITT's Industrial Mechanic/Millwright program. We are…. • The Industry leader in trailer manufacturing. • The #1 supplier of a full line of trailers for all your construction and aggregate hauling needs. • The Leader in Commercial and Custom designed low beds. • An accredited supplier to the Canadian Military. • Providing our community with Great Jobs in a SAFE environment. Celebrang 65 Years in Business! WELDING LTD. Abundant opportunities await graduates of manufacturing training programs. At Red River College, multiple programs provide inroads to employment in the manufacturing sector. "We offer programs that are stepping stones to get into the industry," said Mark Blackner, chair of Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing in the school of Skilled Trades and Technologies at Red River College. "We try to replicate an industry experience as much as we can to help prepare students to excel at their particular trade." As one example, Precision Metal Machining is a one-year entry-level certificate program that prepares students to enter the workplace as a computer numerical control (CNC) operator or first-level machinist. The two-year Manufacturing Technician program provides a more in-depth focus on computer-aided design (CAD), computer- aided manufacturing (CAM) and CNC machine operating. Red River College also provides apprenticeship training for the Province of Manitoba, including Tool and Die Maker, Machinist and CNC Machinist. Students who complete the Manufacturing Technician or Precision Metal Machining programs with a cumulative 70 per cent average can bypass the first apprenticeship level and enter the second level directly. Other offerings include a welding certificate program with a work experience component and a one-year certificate program in Manufacturing CAD. RRC's Mechanical Engineering Technologist diploma is a 28-month program with two compulsory four-month paid co-ops. "The co-ops usually turn into a positive student- industry relationship," Blackner said. "A lot of the students end up getting hired out of their co- op experience." RRC also offers an advanced diploma in Technology Management that focuses on business operation and prepares students for supervisory management positions with large technical organizations. Blackner draws attention to Red River College's new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre, which opened last August. Spanning more than 100,000 square feet, this expansive hub houses the Gene Haas Innovation Lab and Smart Factory. Up-and-coming areas include additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, industrial networks and a five-axis machining centre. "These are the areas that will give students the most current applied learning opportunities with emerging technologies in the manufacturing sector. Right now in industry, there is a big drive to develop advanced manufacturing programming over and above what we're currently delivering," Blackner said. "Manitoba is well positioned with a significant amount of manufacturing in aerospace, transportation, agriculture and food processing. The emergence of Industry 4.0 will bring further opportunities for the manufacturing sector and RRC from an educational standpoint." Meanwhile, at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT), several programs open doors to careers in manufacturing. These programs include industrial welding, industrial mechanic/millwright, industrial electronics, graphic and print technician, and CAD technician. With Industry 4.0, other options include software developer, network security, and cyber defence and cloud administration. "Our programs are geared for students wishing to obtain the necessary skills and competencies to begin a rewarding career in Manitoba's traditional and advanced manufacturing sector," said Beverlie Stuart, associate vice-president of business development and strategic initiatives at MITT. "Our programs are also geared for individuals wishing to reskill or upskill themselves in a specific area of interest." Most certificate programs range from 10 to 12 months, while diploma programs usually take two years. After they complete their studies, most graduates tend to find work in their career- focused area. "We talk to our students a lot about employer expectations and the realities of the workplace," Stuart said. "They are aware that through our work- integrated learning opportunities, they have up to eight weeks to gain valuable work experience and prove themselves worthy of a permanent employment opportunity." At MITT, Career Development Services is committed to preparing students for meaningful careers and connecting employers with work- ready candidates. "MITT is taking an innovative approach to career education. Every student at MITT will participate in the Work Skills Series during their technical program," Stuart said. "These are workshops that focus on employability skills, resumé development, interview skills and effective transition to work. MITT is committed to students' career development, and the Work Skills Series is another way that MITT is ensuring students and alumni find long-term employment success." For potential students who are still weighing their options, it's worth considering a career in manufacturing. A hallmark of MITT's approach is its deep collaboration with industry, Stuart added. "Manitoba's manufacturing sector remains one of the leading growth sectors in Manitoba," she said. "There is a high demand for skilled workers across the province, and graduates of training programs that lead to careers in the sector can count on earning very competitive wages." ❙ TRAINING TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMAND By Jennifer McFee

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