Education

10 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 EDUCATION GUIDE BY TODD LEWYS A s Red River College moves forward from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will focus on offering the cut- ting-edge education, work in- tegrated learning and applied research that students and the community have always looked to Manitoba's largest college to deliver. This forward-looking approach to post-secondary education will be expanded by the College and de- livered in one of its newest spaces, the Innovation Centre project, says RRC's Vice-President, Academic and Research, Dr. Christine Watson. "This expansion builds on the work we are doing across Manitoba to help prepare students for the fu- ture of learning, and it will enhance our already central role in the Ex- change District. It will enable us to transform the delivery of education, and we are excited to welcome stu- dents this fall," she says. In short, the Innovation Centre project is going to help drive RRC's commitment to make education more accessible, flexible and inno- vative. "It's a beautiful facility that will catalyze opportunity and offer stu- dents an exceptional on-campus experience," Watson says. "It's go- ing to provide them with a unique global experience, facilitate lifelong learning and help individuals up- skill into new technology while em- ployed, or train with an eye on get- APPLY NOW Prov.ca/Apply E D U C AT I O N . FA I T H . C O M M U N I T Y. RED RIVER COLLEGE Red River College utilizes innovative spaces, programs to prepare students for the future CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY Enroll now for in-person classes this Fall Where professors know your name ting into a new career." Fred Meier, RRC's President and CEO, says as Manitoba's only poly- technic, the College creates an envi- ronment where students seamlessly transition directly to their careers. This is accomplished through the many technical and practical hands-on learning opportunities, offered through a wide range of de- grees, diplomas, certificates and ap- prenticeship training while fuelling innovation with applied research. As a polytechnic, this establishes RRC as one of the world's leading educa- tional and research institutions. "Even before the pandemic, changes were happening in the local and global economy," says Meier. "Advances in technology were im- pacting economies, causing disrup- tions in labour markets. The pan- demic just increased the speed of those disruptions." Today — nearly 18 months after the pandemic began in March 2020 — the world is more technology- driven than ever. Consequently, those looking to find employment in this ever-evolv- ing, highly technologized world will need the skills and knowledge to get hired and use all that technology in an effective, efficient manner. "Moving forward, we will support and educate students to meet the demands of employers today and beyond," he says. "To do that, we have a plan in place that will allow us to change and adapt so we can provide our students with the sup- port and education they will need as we build for the future." Not only will students need to know how to interpret and use tech- nologies like artificial intelligence (AI), but they will also need human skills to effectively serve as part of a team. "While technology skills are im- portant, so too are human skills such as problem solving and collab- oration," Meier says. "We are hear- ing from employers how impera- tive these skills are and as we adapt and evolve our way of teaching and learning, they're being reinforced in our programs." Meanwhile, RRC recognized an opportunity to transform the way they deliver educational content to meet the current workforce's needs to upgrade their skills while staying on the job. "In the past, most people received their education at the beginning of their career. Now, individuals are up-skilling and re-skilling through- out their careers to respond to work- force changes and advancements. There's a demand to deliver content in bite-sized pieces of learning." CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 SUPPLIED The new Innovation Centre will enhance Red River College's already central role in the Exchange District.

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