Potential learners who self-declare as First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis or Inuit are now eligible for free application to any RRC Polytech program.

“We know improving access for Indigenous learners and for students from different backgrounds requires multiple forms of support,” says Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President Academic.

“Waiving the application fee and working directly with Indigenous students and the communities that support them allows us to remove a financial barrier that is faced when individuals begin to think about joining RRC Polytech as a student. This is one step in alleviating additional barriers they may face in their journey from applying to attending.”

The initiative reduces a financial barrier for Indigenous learners and follows two month-long pilot campaigns in 2024 and 2025 that drew more than 400 and 700 applications, respectively.

These results demonstrated the demand for more accessible application pathways, contributing to the decision to make the initiative permanent. Laureen Janzen, Director of Student Support Services, said many Indigenous applicants shared that the initiative helped them feel welcome at RRC Polytech.

“One person said they felt like they won the lottery,” says Janzen. “By making this a year-round initiative, Indigenous applicants can now also take their time to consider program fit, meet with some of our support services on campus and really understand the programs and the admission requirements.”

RRC Polytech recognizes that financial barriers are only one of several challenges some Indigenous learners may face when considering post-secondary. Potential learners can connect with an Indigenous Academic Advisor to help navigate the transition to post-secondary.

Current students can also access support at RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Student Support Centres, where they can participate in events, cultural teachings and ceremonies, or spend time with friends.

Prospective students can learn more about programs at RRC Polytech’s Open Doors event – which invites future learners, families, community members and Nations to explore campuses, meet instructors and learn more about Indigenous support services.

The event takes place Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Notre Dame Campus and Exchange District Campus.

To further reduce financial barriers, RRC Polytech is providing a bursary giveaway at Open Doors, offering all future students the chance to win a $5,000 bursary to put towards the costs of their program.

Even more Manitobans will have the opportunity to earn an engineering degree without leaving the province, thanks to an expanded partnership between RRC Polytech and the University of Manitoba (UM).

The two post-secondary institutions have finalized a new set of articulation agreements that significantly expand pathway options for Engineering Technology graduates seeking to pursue an engineering degree. The agreements build on a partnership announced last spring, and further strengthen collaboration that supports learners on their academic journey and workforce development in Manitoba.

“When post secondary institutions build on each other’s strengths, we create pathways that are stronger, more flexible and more accessible than any of us could offer alone,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “These partnerships allow us to provide the complementary learning opportunities our province needs — ensuring students, communities and industry all benefit from a more connected and collaborative education ecosystem.

“RRC Polytech is committed to working with our partners to strengthen and grow Manitoba’s workforce — bringing together our shared expertise to ensure learners can thrive.”

Under the new agreements, graduates of several RRC Polytech Engineering Technology programs are now eligible for entry into all undergraduate programs within UM’s Price Faculty of Engineering. This expansion opens additional career and academic opportunities for recent graduates — and those who have graduated within the past 10 years — who are currently in the early stages of their career and looking to advance their credentials.

The newly completed agreements extend pathways to Biosystems, Electrical and Computer Engineering, joining Mechanical and Civil Engineering, which were announced in May 2025.

“We’re excited to see that this partnership with RRC Polytech is already showing results,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor of UM. “It’s a great example of how collaboration can leverage our shared strengths in research, facilities, equipment and curriculum to support student success and increase the number and diversity of engineering graduates in our province.”

As of Fall 2025, 10 seats are reserved per program per year. Nine students were admitted and registered for classes in Fall 2025, with eight registered for the Winter 2026 term. Within the initial cohort, seven were in Civil Engineering and two in Mechanical Engineering.

RRC Polytech and UM work closely with industry partners through advisory councils and ongoing engagement to ensure programming aligns with emerging labour market needs and supports Manitoba’s economic growth.

“This expanded articulation agreement between RRC Polytech and the University of Manitoba permits many more students in our province to have access to seamlessly build both their engineering science and engineering technology skills without leaving our province,” says Dr. Gerry Price, Chairman and CEO of Price Industries.

“These engineering skills are in great demand today and I’m happy to support this partnership that strengthens individual careers, supports industry growth and keeps talented Manitoba students learning, working and thriving right here at home.”

Both institutions remain committed to strengthening Manitoba’s engineering workforce through strong recruitment efforts, including initiatives that support participation from under-represented groups.

Through this partnership and existing pathway programs, such as RRC Polytech’s Pathway to Engineering Technology Programs and UM’s Engineering Access Program, Manitobans from all backgrounds can pursue accessible, flexible routes to an engineering degree.

Today, RRC Polytech and the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) Local 73 celebrated the signing of an agreement that puts change into action to decolonize and enhance equity and inclusion within the Polytech’s Collective Agreement.

This collaboration — the first of its kind — represents a new and transformative approach to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within labour relations and the collective bargaining process. What sets it apart is the intentional approach rooted in Indigenous knowledge and ways of being, guided by a Knowledge Keeper and supported by both RRC Polytech and MGEU.

“The signing reflects the collaborative work of RRC Polytech and MGEU to live our shared values, advancing Truth and Reconciliation organizationally and within Manitoba,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“This process stands out across Canada, setting a precedent for other post-secondary institutions by aligning with Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement (TRCE) and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA), honouring Indigenous Knowledge Protocols, and fostering leadership, mentorship and systemic change at the Polytech.”

To review RRC Polytech’s collective agreement, a joint Truth and Reconciliation Working Group was established through an expression of interest, comprised of eight staff and faculty representing both parties.

Guided by Kookum Barbara Bruce’s teachings, ceremony and wisdom, the group ensured the process moved forward in a good way, grounded in Indigenous Knowledge Protocols. Using priority-setting and Design Thinking — a non-linear, iterative process that reflects true Indigenous engagement — the working group developed recommendations under key themes for the collective agreement.

“It was my honour to be asked to bring ceremonial ways to the discussion and deliberation of components of the collective agreement. I think it had a profound effect on the outcome of these discussions,” says Bruce. “The success of the collective agreement is credited to the people involved who accepted and invested in the process, allowing spirit to guide the discussions,”

The key themes of inclusive language, family, leaves, and sickness and health align with principles of Truth and Reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Twenty-one recommended actions from these themes were put forward to RRC Polytech’s labour management committee.

“This new agreement represents a meaningful step toward reconciliation and is an example of how we can use the opportunities presented through collective bargaining to make the lives of workers and their communities better” says MGEU President Kyle Ross.

“We are proud of what has been achieved through our collaboration with RRC Polytech, guided by the leadership and knowledge of Kookum Barbara Bruce, and are excited to see how these changes help members feel more respected, supported and included.”

Nearly all actions were implemented in RRC Polytech’s 2025–2028 collective agreement — a level of adoption rarely seen in collective bargaining and a testament to the leadership of the working group and supporters from both RRC Polytech and MGEU. These additions to the agreement encourage and support the recruitment and retention of Indigenous employees.

Not only does this collective achievement advance Truth and Reconciliation within labour relations and the collective bargaining process at the Polytech, it also reaffirms both parties’ commitment to continue this work collaboratively, ensuring future reviews and recommendations reflect shared values rooted in Truth and Reconciliation and EDIA.

RRC Polytech and MGEU have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to re-commit to reviewing the collective agreement through the next bargaining process.

Truth and Reconciliation is a journey. Together, RRC Polytech and MGEU have created a model that demonstrates what is possible when values guide action — resulting in tangible outcomes that will shape future collective agreements and hopefully inspire similar efforts across other organizations.

Learn more about the actions implemented within RRC Polytech’s 2025–2028 collective agreement to advance Truth and Reconciliation.

Today, Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced a $3.3-million investment that will expand applied research capacity at RRC Polytech’s Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (VTEC), helping local manufacturers and businesses in sectors vital to Manitoba’s economy to address gaps in their ability to innovate on the path toward zero emissions.

“Building a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy means investing in the Prairies’ unique strengths,” said the Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, in a news release.

“Our new government is helping Manitoba’s heavy equipment and vehicle sector innovate, adopt new technologies and create good jobs for workers and opportunities for local business. Together we are strengthening Canada’s clean industrial economy and ensuring we build Canada strong.”

The federal investment will help establish the Innovation Garage at RRC Polytech, in partnership with the Vehicle Technology Centre — a non-profit that works to accelerate Manitoba’s heavy equipment and vehicle (HEV) manufacturing cluster — the province, and private-sector partners. The funding is in addition to the $3.3-million investment made by the provincial government.

“This investment builds on the strength of Manitoba’s heavy equipment and vehicle sector, which exports around the world and supports thousands of good jobs right here at home,” said the Hon. Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, in a news release.

“By partnering with industry and RRC Polytech, we’re helping companies adopt new technologies, scale up and bring more made-in-Manitoba innovations to the global market.”

The Innovation Garage is a flexible project space that will enable academic researchers and industry partners to work together to advance research and development of processes and products that support the HEV sector and accelerate the province’s transition to a low carbon economy.

It will feature leading-edge equipment, tools and technology, including a microgrid lab focused on energy innovation and HEV infrastructure, and a hydrogen and fuel cell lab to advance clean propulsion systems and other new technologies.

“The Innovation Garage at RRC Polytech is about preparing Manitoba’s manufacturing sector for the challenges and opportunities of a changing world,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“As industries transition to cleaner energy and work to address climate change, this investment provides the technology, expertise and collaborative space needed to innovate quickly and efficiently. Together, we’re building solutions that make our province more competitive and more sustainable for generations to come.”

The Innovation Garage strengthens RRC Polytech’s relationship with the Vehicle Technology Centre by increasing the institution’s support of and collaboration with Manitoba’s HEV manufacturing leaders. This will help small- and medium-sized enterprises adopt new technologies, strengthen workforce skills and bring more made-in-Canada innovations to market.

The project will also support the Vehicle Technology Centre’s Clean Technology and Advanced Manufacturing program, which helps manufacturers leverage their investments in industrial applied research and development.

“Manitoba’s heavy vehicle and equipment manufacturers drive market leadership through ongoing innovation,” says Ron Vanderwees, President and CEO, Vehicle Technology Centre.

“Today’s announcement will allow our manufacturers to conduct industrial-scale advanced research on site at RRC Polytech in collaboration with academic researchers, suppliers and contractors. Combined with the Clean Technology and Advanced Manufacturing program funding announced today, this investment will accelerate innovation in our regional cluster and build the research expertise needed for continued success.”

The Innovation Garage is an exciting evolution in RRC Polytech’s commitment to elevating industry and community through practical training and applied research. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with more of the province’s best and brightest to support digital transformation and develop more advanced and sustainable manufacturing processes and products that are critical to the adoption of cleaner tech.

The impacts are often cumulative. Groundbreaking projects like developing the world’s first electric tundra buggy with Noble Northern established RRC Polytech’s VTEC as a proven hub for innovation that specializes in the testing, validation and demonstration of emerging vehicle technologies and alternative energy systems.

Knowledge from that project was then applied to the creation of a diesel-to-electric conversion kit for school buses, which could be further adapted to help subsequent partners convert fire trucks, farm machinery and other heavy equipment to more efficient power sources.

The addition of the Innovation Garage will expand VTEC’s capacity to conduct technical exploration, increase commercialization and introduce a broader spectrum of technologies to assist more local companies to accelerate their clean technology transition while offering practical experience to students.

“RRC Polytech’s collaborative efforts to support digital adoption and advance clean technology across all sectors is ongoing daily,” says Meier. “The new resources made possible by today’s investment empower our experts in Research Partnerships & Innovation to expand their work, and to seek and strengthen relationships that drive sustainable progress and economic prosperity for all Manitobans.”

For the first time ever, RRC Polytech has earned a Gold rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System known as STARS. Developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, STARS is the most widely recognized framework for measuring sustainability performance in post-secondary institutions, with over 1,200 participants across 52 countries.

An improvement of more than 20 points from its previous submission, RRC Polytech’s Gold status acknowledges its deep commitment to sustainability across academics, operations, engagement, planning and innovation. It’s a testament to the Polytech’s collaborative, campus-wide efforts to embed sustainability into every facet of its mission.

“This achievement represents much more than just a framed certificate to be proud of — it’s a reflection of the collective effort across our campuses to build a better tomorrow and the real, positive impact we’re making in our community,” says Giselle Martel, Vice-President, Finance and Administration.

“From tangible results, like our ongoing efforts to reduce water and energy use in our buildings to applied research partnerships in clean energy technologies to the long-term investment to embed equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility into our daily actions, the sustainability principles we champion today will shape the innovators and decision-makers of tomorrow.”

Awarded every three years, the STARS ratings motivate organizations to assess how they approach the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability and develop methods and programs to address the global challenges that we’re all facing.

RRC Polytech was the first post-secondary in Manitoba to sign the SDG Accord and commit to pursuing and delivering the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. As such, measuring and reporting progress is critical to success.

“We have a shared responsibility to take better care of our planet, people and community, and every effort makes a difference,” says Stephanie Fulford, Sustainability Specialist, Environmental Stewardship and Campus Renewal.

“Opportunities to do more in both our personal and professional lives are everywhere — we just need to look for them and decide we’re going to lead by example and do something about it.”

The list of sustainability efforts at RRC Polytech is long and varied and connects all areas — Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation, Operations, Culture and Community, and Leadership — across all campuses.

Every academic department at RRC Polytech offers sustainability-focused or inclusive courses. Programs such as Environmental Engineering Technology, Nursing, and Social Innovation and Community Development integrate sustainability into their core. Applied learning opportunities such as the Environment and Climate Change Canada Co-op and Indigenous Diplomacy Forum ensure students gain real-world experience in creating positive change.

Events such as SDG Month Canada, the SDG Student Competition, Bike to Work Day and the Commuter Challenge foster a culture of environmental and social responsibility among students. Staff engagement is equally robust, with additional offerings such as the Homeowners & Renters Workshop Series, Diversity Champions network, and promotion of online learning courses.

RRC Polytech’s sustainability leadership is helping to drive Manitoba’s growing green economy. The province’s transition to net zero requires a skilled workforce prepared to meet the demands of emerging industries, and RRC Polytech is playing a key role in that effort.

From supporting innovation through applied research partnerships to providing training and upskilling opportunities, RRC Polytech ensures students gain the knowledge, hands-on experience and values needed to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

This is reflected by a perfect score in the STARS category of Innovation and Leadership, citing examples such as:

• Climate-Resilient Nursing Education Initiative: Curriculum development on climate-related health impacts.
• Electric School Bus Conversion Project: Applied research with industry partners on low-emission transportation.
• Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah and Pow Wow Pitch Partnership: Entrepreneurship support for Indigenous learners and community members.

“Students are learning sustainability in the classroom and seeing it in action on campus, and when they graduate, they take those values into their careers, amplifying the impact we make,” says Fulford.

State-of-the-art buildings like Manitou a bi Bii daziigae in the Exchange District Campus — featuring integrated solar panels and a rooftop rainwater capture and re-use system — demonstrate that energy efficiency approaching net-zero is possible. The strategic enhancement of operational sustainability also includes the development of a socially responsible procurement policy, prioritizing environmentally certified products and Indigenous, diverse and social enterprise suppliers — aligning purchasing power with RRC Polytech’s values.

Finally, STARS is designed to support continued improvement by helping RRC Polytech’s internal sustainability leadership network, led by Environmental Stewardship and Campus Renewal, to identify strengths and next steps in teaching, research, engagement and operational practices.

The Gold rating is a tremendous milestone but also serves as a starting point for new strategies and practices that can be adopted to ensure a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future for everyone.

“As an organization committed to innovation and excellence, we’re not only going to work hard to maintain our top-performing areas but to improve our scores in every area,” says Fulford.

“We’re excited to continue leading with purpose and driving even greater impact in the years ahead by learning from others, exploring new ideas and finding creative ways to embed and advance sustainability in everything we do.”

This evening, RRC Polytech will name Tessa Potter, an Emmy award-winning broadcast technician, the recipient of its 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award.

The award, which recognizes the remarkable personal and professional achievements of RRC Polytech alumni, will be formally presented at an event marking the 60th anniversary of the Electrical Engineering Technology program.

Potter graduated from the program’s Electronic Engineering specialization in 2000 and has since built a distinguished career in television, radio and live broadcasting, earning two Sports Emmy Awards for her work behind the camera at the 2022 Beijing and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“Tessa’s career shows how far a polytechnic education can take you, particularly in technical industries,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“Tessa has built an incredible career through collaboration, hard work and continuous learning, which are all qualities that reflect her character and RRC Polytech’s values. We’re proud to count Tessa among our alumni and pleased to recognize her with this award.”

Potter works as a Senior Broadcast Technician at SBL Engineering and as a Broadcast Liaison with True North Sports + Entertainment, where she’s been supporting NHL and AHL broadcasts for over a decade. She balances these roles with broadcast contracts for major international sporting events, such as the UEFA EURO Finals, FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

“I’m surprised, but also proud to be acknowledged as a worker who has taken my education and turned it into a career that has been valuable, given me the ability to look after my family and filled my days with challenge, intrigue and some really great people,” says Potter.

“Working in a field like electronics, the range of places where your skills can be applied is really wide. I now understand the importance of that fundamental knowledge even more than I did at the time.”

Beyond her professional accolades, Potter is also a passionate advocate for her industry and for greater representation within it, as well as a mentor to the next generation of professionals. She has served as a subject-matter expert at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and as the first female president of the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers for the past five years.

“In accepting this, I think about future students and how sometimes you can’t be what you can’t see,” she says. “Behind-the-scenes workers like me represent a career path many don’t know about, but it exists. If someone with my education realizes there are technical jobs like this and it sparks their interest, we might just have one more worker ready to join our teams.”

RRC Polytech is hosting its seventh annual Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement (TRCE) Week to mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, on September 30.

This year, TRCE Week began on Monday, Sept. 22, with a virtual keynote from Phyllis Webstad, whose story of Residential Schools started the Orange Shirt movement in 2013.

RRC Polytech has also partnered with Nursing student Dasia Chatkana, whose original design is featured on the RRC Polytech Orange Shirt in support of the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award, which is awarded to Indigenous students every year in January.

“Every year for seven years, the RRC Polytech community has come together to learn about Truth and Reconciliation and Canada’s true history from Indigenous perspectives,” says Jamie Wilson, RRC Polytech’s Vice-President, Indigenous Strategy, Business Development and Research.

“It’s important for us as an educational institution to not only affirm these histories centring Indigenous Peoples, but also to raise awareness to non-Indigenous Canadians that what they were taught in school doesn’t necessarily reflect all realities.”

TRCE Week is five days filled with sessions to educate the RRC Polytech community about the many different responsibilities of Truth and Reconciliation.

While Truth and Reconciliation is a year-round commitment for RRC Polytech, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a focal point that encourages employees and students to immerse themselves in Indigenous Teachings, storytelling and experiences.

Opportunities to cultivate understandings of the true history and current issues impacting Indigenous Peoples, and reconciliation efforts by society as a whole, contribute to a stronger, more unified community that benefits all members.

“Truth and Reconciliation is an ongoing process of learning and integrating new information, disentangling ourselves from misinformation and unlearning what we think we know, and opening ourselves to truths that might surprise or challenge us,” says Carla Kematch, Director, Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement.

“All the sessions we host this week are something that each participant can take back to the classroom, to the workplace and to their personal lives — so they can continue the lifelong journey of learning today, tomorrow and every day into the future as we work towards building a better and brighter future for all,”

Planned sessions include a virtual keynote from Phyllis Webstad, whose story inspired the Orange Shirt movement; a Two Spirit Sharing Circle; workshops for Talking Sticks, drumming, and painting; and panel discussions with the Knowledge Keepers Council and staff on Indigenous perspectives in inclusive hiring and belonging.

Other sessions explore Inuit culture, traditional teachings like the Cedar Bath, and the historical timelines of the First Nations and Métis.

RRC Polytech’s original Orange Shirt, which is released every year as part of TRCE Week, was designed by Nursing student Dasia Chatkana and can be purchased through the Campus Store.

To learn more about Truth and Reconciliation Week sessions, see the full event schedule.

The decision to enter a career in nursing is a noble and compassionate endeavor. For 62 recent alumni from RRC Polytech’s Nurse Re-Entry Program (NREP), that decision was something they’ve committed to twice.

Today, a celebration was held at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae to recognize the individuals who have completed the program since 2024, qualifying them to write their National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses through the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) and return to the profession as practicing nurses.

“These alumni are a reflection of the commitment RRC Polytech shares with the Province of Manitoba to strengthening the province’s health-care system and supporting nurses in returning to active practice,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“Through targeted gap training and hands-on learning, RRC Polytech is proud to help nurses meet the CRNM’s entry-level competencies and rejoin the workforce with confidence. This program is not just about education – it’s about empowering skilled individuals to make a meaningful impact in our communities.”

NREP is composed of a series of courses that support nurses previously registered and trained — in Manitoba, across Canada or internationally — to gain the skills and competencies needed to return to active practice. Students review current nursing theories, skills and practices while integrating new knowledge and innovations.

The program has three cohorts per academic year and accepts up to 30 students per intake.

“It is always inspiring to meet students who have a passion for helping others and who choose to dedicate their lives to a career in health care,” says Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Community Services, RRC Polytech.

“The nurses we are celebrating have overcome great obstacles and shown pure determination and perseverance to get where they are today. I am confident they will be successful leaders in nursing roles across the province and will join a great team of RRC Polytech nursing alumni who make a difference in Manitoba, each and every day.”

Delivery of NREP is strengthened through collaboration with industry and government to meet Manitoba’s health-care needs. In 2023, RRC Polytech partnered with Shared Health and the CRNM to support 50 internationally educated nurses (IENs) through the Philippines Recruitment Initiative.

In 2024, the Manitoba government also launched a full-time pilot for IENs already in the province, offering up to 12 courses over 12 months.

At today’s event, students celebrated along with their friends, families, instructors and representatives from the Province of Manitoba, including Hon. Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care; Hon. Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training; and Hon. Malaya Marcelino, Minister of Labour and Immigration.

They also heard a heartfelt message from one of their peers, Melissa Reyes, who shared her experience re-committing to nursing after immigrating from the Philippines.

“After being away from the nursing profession for several years, I was slowly losing my confidence as a nurse,” says Reyes.

“I decided to take the full (NREP) program, which I would say is not a walk in the park, but it gave me back my confidence to work as a nurse and taught me the value of lifelong learning. The overall experience was truly transformative, refreshing my nursing knowledge and instilling in me a deeper appreciation for the profession.”

Learn more about the NREP at RRC Polytech.

This month, for the first time in its history, RRC Polytech hosted 10 spring convocation ceremonies across the province to celebrate its largest graduating class in three years.

Nearly 3,750 students from the Polytech’s eight Manitoba campuses crossed stages to receive degrees, diplomas and certificates this month. Winnipeg campuses alone saw a 10 per cent increase in graduates compared to spring 2024, with a total of 1,670 grads registering to attend ceremonies last week.

The increase prompted the addition of a fifth ceremony at the RBC Convention Centre, up over four events in the previous year.

“Convocation is a wonderful celebration — not only of our students’ hard work, but for the future of Manitoba, whose workforce is now receiving this influx of thousands of talented, job-ready individuals,” says RRC Polytech President Fred Meier.

“Our role as a polytechnic is to provide students from across the province with the education, skills and support to become industry leaders as soon as they leave our campuses. Graduation numbers have been increasing year to year — a clear demonstration that our commitment to meeting the emerging needs of both students and industry is working.”

RRC Polytech has seen considerable growth in domestic applications year-over-year, with fall 2024 applications rising 14 per cent since 2023, and winter 2025 applications increasing by 29 per cent from the year before. Enrolment numbers for domestic students also jumped by four per cent in fall 2024 from the previous year.

Among those honoured at this year’s ceremonies were a community advocate from Peru, a compassionate caregiver from Nigeria and a data scientist from the Dominican Republic; all three were recognized with Lieutenant Governor’s Medals.

RRC Polytech’s highest graduation honour, the medals recognize graduates who exemplify high academic and technical achievement, community and College involvement, and overall good character.

Learn more about this year’s recipients:

• Daniela Ruiz Fernandez, Social Innovation and Community Development (Indigenous Social Enterprise major)
• Deborah Modupe, Disability and Community Support
• Yanna Polonia Gutierrez, Data Science and Machine Learning

Convocation also provided an opportunity to recognize a longtime champion of education and career development: Maria Pacella, Skills Manitoba’s Executive Director, who received an Honorary Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Over her nearly two-decade-long career with Skills Manitoba, Pacella has built strong partnerships, developed inclusive programming, and created opportunities for students, apprentices and underrepresented groups in the trades.

Learn more about her career and accomplishments.

In addition to the five Winnipeg events, convocation ceremonies were also held at campuses in the Interlake, Peguis – Fisher River, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach and Winkler.

Visit RRC Polytech’s Convocation page for a full list of graduates and award winners, and to stream the ceremonies as they’re posted online.

This week, RRC Polytech and its post-secondary partners across Canada proudly launched Labs4, an applied research commercialization engine aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and accelerating the country’s innovation economy.

Labs4 brings together 38 Canadian polytechnics, colleges and universities to collaborate with businesses, entrepreneurs and communities on transforming research into real-world solutions.

Initially known as the College-University Lab to Market Network for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization, Labs4 will develop and deliver hands-on entrepreneurship training, product development support and mentorship through eight regional hubs and three Indigenous entrepreneurship hubs that stretch from coast to coast.

“Labs4 is built for impact. This is innovation with purpose, delivered across every region and rooted in community,” says Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech and chair of the Labs4 executive committee.

“We operate at the intersection of academia and industry to translate applied research into practical solutions. By teaching researchers and businesses how to work with each other, building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities and scaling innovation with intentional speed and purpose, we’ll equip entrepreneurs to quickly move from insight to action to benefit all Canadians.”

Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Mitacs and its institutional partners, Labs4 is a $55-million initiative created to close the gap between research and commercialization across all Canadian sectors, while reducing barriers faced by equity-seeking groups and strengthening Indigenous and regional innovation.

Leveraging state-of-the-art facilities and subject-matter expertise available at network institutions will expedite entrepreneurs’ and creators’ ability to take new products and processes to market, ensuring both economic and social impacts are felt sooner.

Three signature pillars differentiate Labs4:

• Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs: Incubators in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario provide culturally grounded programming, mentorship and wraparound supports tailored to First Nations, Métis and Inuit researcher-entrepreneurs. Programming is led by Indigenous institutions and rooted in self-determined goals, ceremony and community priorities.
• Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) program: A four-month placement in polytechnic- or college-based applied research facilities, where researcher-entrepreneurs receive $10,000 stipends to develop, test and validate prototypes with expert mentorship. (The TRL program is already underway; applications are now open for the upcoming fall cohort.)
• Market to Lab (MtL) program: A two-month simulation in which researcher-entrepreneurs lead student teams to solve real-world commercialization barriers. With mentorship from business and innovation experts, participants gain leadership experience and build go-to-market strategies.

Labs4 is poised to drive measurable national impact and support hundreds of researcher-entrepreneurs to explore the launch of new research-based ventures. The initiative supports not only new ventures and commercial products but also economic development, job creation and inclusive growth across all sectors and regions.

“We are dedicated to creating pathways for innovation and amplifying the impact of Canadian research on the global stage,” says Nasil Nam, National Director of Labs4.

“Whether it’s a prototype in a lab or a venture ready to launch, we meet researcher-entrepreneurs where they are and help them move forward with confidence. Our work is practical, fast-paced and focused on impact.”

Learn more.