Education

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 10 Robertson College is doing more than its fair share to keep Manitoba's unemployment rate among the lowest in Canada. The Winnipeg-based private vocational college offers more than 20 online and in-class programs, focusing on health care, business and information technology. About 1,200 students attend classes at its two Winnipeg campuses — one on Notre Dame Avenue and the other on Main Street — and hundreds are taking online courses. And with 90 per cent of them entering the workforce in their chosen fields shortly after graduating, Robertson contributed to Manitoba's unemployment rate dropping 0.3 per cent in October to 5.2 per cent, second only to British Columbia's 4.9 per cent. Online enrolment has been on the rise since it revamped and upgraded the programs and the systems to deliver them three years ago. In 2013 there were just 100 online students. "The model is a lot different," said Judy Borus, Robertson's director of human resources. "People need to put in 20 hours a week to complete an online course and you have to hit goals and complete assignments. Previously, people took as long as they wanted to complete it. If you tell people to take their time, they'll take their time." Robertson's programs are relatively short term, ranging from five to nine months, with the exception of massage therapy, which runs for two years. (The college also operates in Alberta with a pair of campuses in Calgary and a new campus in Edmonton. Combined, they serve more than 1,050 students.) Robertson serves as a pipeline to its industries of choice as nine out of every 10 of its students get jobs in their areas of study. And if a former student would like to pursue a different employment path down the road, no problem. Robertson's career services are offered for life. "Some people love their careers but after 10 years, they want a change. We'll help them find that next career. Sometimes that means taking another program, updating their resumé and learning interview skills so they can tap into the jobs that are available," she said. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority recruits a significant number of health-care aides to work at most of the hospitals around town. There are numerous landing spots for business students, including law firms such as Taylor McCaffrey and Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, as well as retailer the North West Company. Pharmacy technicians and accounting specialists have gone on to work at Loblaws. The salaries for graduates depend on the programs they've taken but Borus said accounting specialists, for example, can earn anywhere from $33,000 to $56,000. Accounting students who graduate with a specialty in payroll are particularly well-equipped for the real world, she said. "For a smaller organization, someone who can come in and play a dual role with accounts payable and receivable and have an understanding of how payroll works have a broader skill set than pure accounting," she said. Robertson boasts a significant number of mature students, including newcomers to Canada, who enrol to get a diploma in their area of expertise. "If you were a financial worker back home you may not be able to get the same work when you land here. Winnipeg has one of the highest populations (of immigrants) from the Philippines and we'll have many people coming with nursing or other diplomas from back home. They'll take a health-care aide challenge and we get them working quickly," she said. The competition for Robertson ranges from the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg to Red River College and several career colleges. Its career services team goes to various employment fairs throughout the year, including at high schools and a variety of corporations. Borus said it has carved out a solid reputation through its short-term programs and seamlessly funnelling its graduates into the workplace. "A lot of people don't want to go to school for three or four years. They want to spend as little time in school as possible and more time making a salary," Borus said. Robertson's career services team hires people with expertise in business and health care because their proximity to industry usually results in excellent matches between students and employers. Her team also doubles as cheerleaders. "When a student calls in to say they've got a job, we give each other high-fives. It's an emotional investment for us," she said. ❚ ROBERTSON COLLEGE FOCUSED ON YOUR CAREER By Geoff Kirbyson for the Free Press University CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY Ask about our Flex-Ed program format! Business • Healthcare • Legal • Media • Technology Earn Your Diploma Online! HERZING.CA /WINNIPEG 2 0 4 . 7 7 5 . 8 1 7 5 wpg-info@herzing.ca Career focused • Convenient • Caring Robertson College offers more than 20 online and in-class programs, focusing on health care, business and information technology. Submitted photos Some people love their careers but after 10 years, they want a change. We'll help them find that next career."

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