Education

14 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 FOR MORE INFORMATION: 204.694.1789 | CDE@RRC.CA | RRC.CA/PCI Enhance Your Employability EXPLORE RRC'S PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE PROGRAM Develop the essential skills for success in the industry's three primary career streams: brokerage, claims adjusting and underwriting. Start in January 2018 to be career-ready in six months. St. James-Assiniboia School Division's Continuing Education program is offering several new courses for the winter/spring 2018 session in many areas, including the visual arts, language and fitness. Submitted photos Are you a proven problem-solver with strong communication skills and analytical abilities? If so, Red River College can help you leverage those assets towards a successful career in the insurance industry — or enhance your employment opportunities if you're already working in the field. RRC's newly retooled Property and Casualty Insurance program helps develop the fundamental skills required for general client interactions in three primary career streams: brokerage, claims adjusting and underwriting. In addition to honing their sales and customer service skills, students can learn more about different types of coverage available to clients, as well as how to adjust property claims or underwrite policies. As with all RRC offerings, the program was developed with help from industry experts, whose experience ensures curriculum is current, and applied learning opportunities are similar to those encountered on the job. "Our instructors come directly from industry," says Jo-Anne Shay, Dean of RRC's School of Continuing Education. "There's no other program in Manitoba that provides students with access to this type of practical knowledge." Once they've completed the program, graduates will be prepared to pursue a number of career paths — as insurance adjusters, underwriters, brokers or agents. The six-month certificate program now includes a four-week practicum that allows students to gain workplace experience while determining which career stream they're best suited for. The program's next start date is Jan. 18, 2018. To learn more, attend a free information session on Dec. 7 at the Exchange District Campus, or visit rrc.ca/pci ❚. LEVERAGE SKILLS TOWARDS A CAREER IN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SUPPORTING CAREER DEVELOPMENT, LIFELONG LEARNING Opportunities to start a new career or grow an existing one or expand your mind are all part of St. James-Assiniboia School Division's (SJASD) Continuing Education. The division's continuing education manager, Wanda Taylor, says registration numbers continue to grow as the public responds to the wide variety of courses available through the program, both online and in-person at local community schools. Course categories offer something for almost every interest, including business, career/employment, computers, fine arts and crafts, fitness/ health/wellness, language, leisure and personal finance. "Our full-time courses include Health Care Aide, Health Unit Clerk, Veterinary Hospital Office Assistant and Educational Assistant," says Taylor, noting these programs are of particular interest to students looking for a career change. "Our other courses, such as art, leisure, fitness, health and wellness attract individuals looking for interests outside of work or home. The computer and business courses attract individuals seeking to enhance their skills." Registration for Health Care Aide, Health Unit Clerk, Veterinary Hospital Office Assistant and Educational Assistant begins in March 2018 for the session that begins the following August. Interested students are encouraged to apply early as these in-demand programs fill up quickly. "The public response to our courses continues to be very positive. We have people say that there is so much in our brochure that they don't know what to take first," says Taylor. "We have many people who return to take several courses or who come back to take the same course again. We have people who follow our instructors, especially our fitness and art instructors." SJASD is also offering several new courses for the program's winter/spring 2018 session, in tune with student feedback and current trends in adult learning. To accommodate busy lifestyles, the division is offering online certificate courses in web design, Teaching Adults, Sales, Supervisory and Leadership, Mobile Marketing, Project Management, Video Marketing, Digital Marketing and more. Online courses allow students to learn on their own schedules, in the comfort of their homes or offices. Computer courses now include MS Publisher, which focuses on designing print materials, and Excel, from beginner to advanced levels. New among the slate of art courses are Barn Board Welcome Signs and Ink and Watercolour Paint & Pencils. In health and wellness, students can explore the timely topic of end-of-life care in a Palliative Care Seminar, offered in co-operation with Palliative Manitoba. Students with an interest in culture and travel will be interested in a series of Building Your Cultural Awareness workshops, in addition to an array of language programs including French, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Italian, Icelandic and Mandarin. The ever-popular fitness offerings now include Pound, a full-body workout class where participants can work up a healthy sweat with the use of lightly-weighted drumsticks. Pound combines cardio, conditioning and strengthening, with yoga and pilates inspired movements. An intriguing special-interest course offered this session is Mysterious Manitoba, in which students experience an armchair tour of the province, featuring special places where statues honour ghosts, lake monsters and even places where UFOs are said to have landed. The course is led by UFO expert, Chris Rutkowski. Taylor says SJASD continuing education courses reflect diverse interests and students come from all parts of the city. While many pursue full- or part-time studies to enhance career development, others enjoy learning for learning's sake. "No matter what your age, it is never too late to learn something new," says Taylor. "It keeps the mind and body active and allows you to get out and meet new people. We have people try new things, such as art courses, and discover talents they never knew they had." For more information about course content, availability and fees, go to localcourses.sjsd. ❚ ST. JAMES-ASSINIBOIA SCHOOL DIVISION

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