Education

2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020 EDUCATION GUIDE E D U C A T I O N F O R A B E T T E R W O R L D BOOTHUC.CA WHEN THE WORLD CLOSES ITS EYES, O P E N T H E M. With the fall term just around the cor- ner, RRC is moving quickly to prepare students for careers in industries that will need their knowledge and skills more than ever. 'I t's been full steam ahead at RRC since March, when we moved our programs online to protect the safe- ty of our staff and students," says Fred Meier, president and CEO. "In spite of COVID-19, the college's academic programs, industry training, and applied research have all carried on, but in new ways." Not that meeting the challenges of CO- VID-19 has been easy. "Back in March, public health immedi- ately recommended limiting public gather- ings, and colleges are public gatherings by design. We had to act fast to keep programs going the safest way possible." After moving all programs online, a transi- tion RRC managed in a few weeks, the col- lege spent considerable time and effort to develop a set of rigorous standards, guide- lines and resources — a flexible online de- livery model designed to ensure the highest quality educational experience for students. "Keeping students engaged and sup- ported in their learning has been critical," says Dr. Christine Watson, vice-president, academic. "Weaving new technologies, techniques and collaboration tools into our course delivery created new challenges as well as new opportunities. It's been remark- able watching our students and faculty rise to the occasion." This new model will support the delivery for the College's programs this fall, which will be offered online and in a blended format, and has already paved the way for increased activity on all RRC campuses, including its regional campuses. In June, RRC welcomed back health-care and nursing students who needed to complete hands-on training in- terrupted by COVID-19, for instance, while the college's Stevenson campus resumed training for the aerospace industry. "Many of our students and industry part- ners depend on hands-on learning, which lets you hone and prove technical skills in a lab or classroom," says Dr. Watson. "In some areas, hands-on is the only way to learn. We worked hard to make that available as soon as public health officials permitted." Red River has now prepared facilities to accommodate more hands-on training as public health directives continue to evolve, including signage, sanitation stations and barriers that ensure physical distancing. During the second phase of reopen- ing, which started July 15, more students returned to catch up on coursework and training in the Construction Trades, Hospi- tality and Culinary Arts, Veterinary Technol- ogy, Dental Assisting, Medical Radiological Technology and Diagnostic Imaging, and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Appren- ticeship programs also resumed through a blend of online and hands-on training. Meier is optimistic that momentum will build into the fall as industries continue to reopen and students resume practicums, work placements, and other forms of work- integrated learning. "As long as it's safe, we need to harness this momentum to support Manitoba's eco- nomic recovery," says Meier. "That means identifying the skills needed in the labour market today and in the future, and provid- ing students and workers with pathways to learning or re-skilling in new and innova- tive ways." RRC works in lockstep with industry coun- cils to ensure students graduate with job- ready skills in areas of need, and will unveil a number of new programs next year, includ- ing Data Science, Machine Learning, Fin- tech Digital Innovation, and post-graduate and advanced diploma programs such as Digital Film and Media Production, Com- munications Management, Full Stack Web Development, and Game Development. Meier adds that throughout the pan- demic, RRC's work in applied research has carried on. One such project was a remote- controlled vehicle designed to simulate tractor roll-overs and improve farm safety. RRC students, faculty and researchers col- laborated with the University of Manitoba and Keystone Agriculture Producers to create the Mini Roll Over Training Tractor (Mini ROTT), which completed a successful launch demo in July. "The Mini ROTT project shows Red River College at its best," says Meier. "Even in chal- lenging times, we find ways to serve our community and our industries by providing tangible solutions to real-world problems." For more information, visit rrc.ca RED RIVER COLLEGE PHOTOS Fred Meier, President and CEO of Red River College, says RRC has been going full steam ahead since March, transforming program delivery to continuing applied research to meet industry needs. RED RIVER COLLEGE PHOTO RRC has installed rigorous health and safety measures on its campuses to continue providing hands-on learning that can't be delivered any other way. RED RIVER COLLEGE Red River College builds momentum to boost economic recovery roughout the pandemic, RRC's work in applied research has carried on. One such project was a remote- controlled vehicle (right) designed to simulate tractor roll-overs and improve farm safety.

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