Education

August 2016

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WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 7 Get the career you want. Fast. FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER PLANS BY COMPLETING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FULL-TIME PROGRAMS IN JUST THREE TO ELEVEN MONTHS: • Administrative Assistant • Educational Assistant • General Insurance • Health Unit Clerk • Legal Assistant • Occupational Health and Safety • Power Engineering - 5th Class • Professional Photography • Railway Conductor • Residential Decorating • Therapeutic Recreation Facilitator for Older Adults 204.694.1789 | CDE@RRC.CA | RRC.CA/FT CONTINUING EDUCATION OFFERS INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS THAT DELIVER THE QUALITY, HANDS-ON TRAINING YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE. THESE PROGRAMS FILL UP QUICKLY. ENROL TODAY! Braid says the college has 12 students enrolled in the program so far. They can handle a maximum of 20 per intake. Last year began with 16 students, and ended with 12 graduates. "Some of the students who didn't finish the program already have jobs in the industry," says Braid, adding that they hosted a "speed networking" event that gave employers the chance to meet with the students. "Students spent eight minutes with each employer. It was like on-site mini job interviews. We'll definitely do it again." She says one of the benefits of a career in insurance is the flexibility it offers. "There's so much variety when it comes to the type of work you can do. There are lots of interesting things you can get involved in," Braid says. "There is a broad career path students can follow, and this program opens them up to the entire scope. They can be underwriters, business development specialists, adjustors, claims examiners, risk management experts, agents or brokers." It can also be a lucrative career. While graduates may start off making $29,000, they can progress to $69,000 and up. "There is good money in insurance — the salaries are quite good," says Braid. "It's a very mobile career — our students will be able to branch out into different areas. People can certainly progress in this industry and make very good money." The only prerequisite for enrolment is that students must have their Grade 12 diploma. Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to write the national exam. "We get a variety of students who are interested in this program. Some are right out of high school, while others are career changers. We also have international students," Braid says. "Our students graduate with real experience in the industry." Red River College students inspect a car as part of the General Insurance program. Photo by Darcy Finley RED RIVER COLLEGE INSURANCE SECTOR SNAPPING UP GRADS By Holli Moncrieff for the Free Press Students taking Red River College's General Insurance program are in an enviable position. M argaret Braid, program manager of Applied Arts and Communications for the college, says she often has to ask employers not to hire the students too early. She wants her students to ensure they get enough out of the course before entering the workforce. She may be fighting a losing battle, but admits it's a good problem to have. "There is a real demand for trained employees in the insurance industry. We regularly get calls from employers looking for graduates," Braid explains. "The insurance companies are so keen at getting trained staff that they snap up our students before the students are even finished the program." Many people are retiring from the insurance industry each year, which is leading to the shortage of skilled workers. But Braid says there's another reason for the issue. "People don't tend to think about insurance as a career," she says. "But the people who are in it love it. They rave about it." The college started offering the program at the insurance industry's request. The Insurance Institute of Canada provided the curriculum. "One of the new features we're looking at setting up for this year is paid co-ops at insurance companies. We're looking at supplying employers for students for 10-15 hours per week," says Braid. "This is a brand-new initiative. It will help the students with finances but also help them apply what they're learning in class every day. They may work a certain number of weeks in different offices and rotate around." This is only the second year the college has offered the program, which is also available at several other colleges across the country. The second intake of students will begin Aug. 15. The full-time program runs for 11 months, finishing on June 30, 2017. Students take 20 hours of classes per week, attending school from 1-5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

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