Rural and northern students will have access to more trades courses and equipment as a result of an investment of $800,000 for new mobile trades training labs at Red River College (RRC).

 

The provincial government is investing $550,000 for power and hand tools, and $250,000 for an introduction to trades program.  It is expected additional apprenticeship programs that have not been feasible in smaller communities will be delivered out of labs including welder, pipefitter, industrial mechanic, heavy-duty equipment mechanic, instrumentation technician and machinist programs.

 

“Making this type of training more accessible will help us to address skills shortages that have a
long-term impact on Manitoba’s economy,” said Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford.  “Offering programs in rural and remote communities will provide a supportive learning environment for students closer to home.”

 

Red River College currently offers a five-month introduction to trades program geared to Aboriginal students at the Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg.  The new funding will allow the college to increase the number of trades programs offered throughout the province.  It will also add a community-based component that brings the introductory program to Aboriginal communities on a rotating basis.  Beginning this fall, student intakes will be held twice a year, in February and September. 

 

The community-based trade component will be delivered in partnership with First Nations communities, using existing facilities within the community or one of RRC’s new state-of-the-art mobile training labs.

 

“Taking our trades programs on the road will allow students to remain at home to study and will help build labour capacity in rural and aboriginal communities,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, president of Red River College.

 

At this time, Aboriginal students in pre-employment programs are introduced to eight trades.  These include automotive technician, carpentry and woodworking, electrical, manufacturing technician, outdoor power equipment technician, piping trades, precision metal manufacturing and welding. Graduates from the pre-employment programs enter the workforce and can participate in the apprenticeship system, eventually earning their interprovincial red seal and journeyperson status.

 

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