Education

2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016 ROBERTSON COLLEGE CAREER TRAINING FOR A LIFETIME By Holli Moncrieff for the Free Press Robertson College's commitment to its students doesn't end with graduation. USTBONIFACE.CA/EDUCATIONPLUS Classes start January 7th. Even though its students are at the school for a short time — Robertson's slogan is "Career in Less than a Year" and some of that year is spent in work practicums — the college's career training support lasts a lifetime. "Our career services department works with each student to prepare them for interviews and work practicums, update their resumés and everything else," explains Geoff Nevin, the college's director of marketing. "This career training begins once a student has been with us for about a month, and it is a lifetime service." When graduates switch jobs later on, many of them return to Robertson's career services department for additional support and guidance. "We work with our students on their resumés and encourage them to update their LinkedIn profiles," Nevin says. "Once a Robertson student, always a Robertson student. Graduates are always welcome to return for free support." Robertson College is a career college located predominantly in Western Canada. Its main Winnipeg campus is its biggest, but it also has branches in Edmonton and Calgary. Robertson's online training courses make it accessible to students nationwide. The main campus is located in the Exchange District and features newly renovated medical lab classrooms, the student massage therapy clinic and a student lounge area. The second campus at 433 Main St. is strategically located to put Robertson business students near the pulse of commerce in downtown Winnipeg. Both locations are close to bus routes. The Winnipeg campus offers 21 career-focused diploma and certificate programs in health care, business and information technology. While diplomas are a great accomplishment that look lovely hanging on the wall, they can't pay the bills or feed a family. This is why Robertson College focuses on getting its students jobs rather than just diplomas. The college works hard to offer relevant and career-specific programs that are in demand, meeting the needs of both business and industry. "We offer programs primarily in health, business and information technology, and we're always evolving," says Nevin. "Currently we're focused on adding more business courses and getting them accredited." The school's newest business offerings include business administration, logistics and supply chain management, accounting and payroll. When it comes to IT courses, Robertson's most popular are in the areas of network administrator, network security technician and software/ database developer. "We added advanced massage therapy to our health-care programs and it's been one of our fastest growing," Nevin adds. "We offer a high level of education, and we teach the skills that are needed by industry." An example of this is in the health-care field, where the needs of the industry are always changing. Since there's now a big need for care tailored to the elderly, Robertson College is ensuring that specialization is well represented in its health-care aide program. Nevin says the college's work practicum makes all the difference when it comes to successful employment for its students. "In Winnipeg, we have a 90 per cent employment rate for our students. Most of our practicums are three-to-five weeks, and a lot of our students get hired right out of their practicum," he says. "We prepare you to get into the workforce." Robertson caters to people who may not have excelled in school previously, and also works with many new Canadians who need to develop additional skills or certification. "We have a continual intake mode so you can join most of our programs at any time. This offers people flexibility to start school whenever they want," says Nevin. "Our online programs are offered 10 months of the year." Those interested in advanced massage therapy should keep in mind the intakes for that particular program are offered in September and February only. More courses and programs are continually being developed. The college plans to add a new digital marketing program in the spring. For up-to-date information on Robertson College and the training it offers, check out its website at robertsoncollege.com. ❚ Robertson College photos Robertson College's main campus in the Exchange District features newly renovated medical lab classrooms. The school's newest business courses include logistics and supply chain management, accounting and payroll.

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