Changing careers can be daunting and difficult, but Matt Betker definitely made the right decision.

A long-time software developer, Betker saw his consultant position at Manitoba Public Insurance slowly turning into a leadership role. He decided to go with the flow and in 2018 he graduated from Red River College’s Project Management certificate program.

A few months later, Betker earned Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.

Now, he’s working as a project manager at MPI and is currently enrolled in RRC’s Project Leadership program.

“I switched from a consultant to an employee and changed job roles and careers at the same time. It worked out well for me,” says Betker, 39.

Did it ever. In April, Betker was named the winner of the top student award at PMI Manitoba’s annual spring conference. The honour comes with a $1,000 cash prize courtesy of PMI Manitoba and RRC.

Betker graduated from the Project Management program with a 4.5 grade point average; according to his instructors, he was always willing to help others and consistently engaged himself in class discussions.

“One of the things I liked about the program was there was a lot of open discussion,” Betker says. “Not always discussion amongst the whole class, but the instructors would have us break into smaller groups, and a lot of times I ended up facilitating conversation for the groups I was in. In those groups I would throw out a lot of questions that would lead to further discussion and try to help people frame their thoughts a little bit, without being too pushy or trying to influence them with my own bias.”

Although the Project Management program is available through distance delivery, Betker decided to take the classroom route. He’s glad he did.

“It was really cool to be in class with people who had a lot of different cultural backgrounds and different professional backgrounds,” he says. “I come from the software development industry, but there were people from pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and a lot of people who were new to the country. It was neat to see different people’s viewpoints based on a combination of their industry experience and their cultural background.”

At MPI, Betker’s project management role is to lead the corporation’s business transformation projects. For instance, he’s currently working on government-legislated changes surrounding the issue of drinking and driving.

“There are new laws going into force in December to change the way they manage drunk drinking convictions,” he says. “Here at MPI, there’s a lot of system and procedural changes that have to happen to comply with the new legislation, so I’m leading that project. The project has a software component but it also has a people component, a financial component and a business change component.”

In addition to his academic and industry experience, Betker believes he’s picked up some project management skills on the ice and on the field. He coaches his two young children in hockey and baseball and formerly coached teenage hockey players at the AAA level.

“That was a good forum to hone your communication skills and think about who you are speaking to and how you’re speaking to them,” says Betker, who also sits on the board of directors for Gateway Recreation Centre.

“I started coaching my kids, who are six and four, and it’s the other end of the spectrum, but it’s still communication, having fun and team culture. A lot of that transfers really well to a school atmosphere or a workplace.”

Betker will further his hone his project management skills in the Project Leadership program this fall. An advanced certificate program, Betker hopes to build on what he learned in Project Management.

“There is a course in the Project Leadership program called Organizational Change Management, which is a big thing in large corporations like MPI. That’s an area that’s completely new to me that I’m learning on the job here,” he says.

“To have more academic context to what is going on will really help me. The Project Leadership program goes a lot deeper into various methodologies and approaches to doing projects. It’s just a deeper dive into certain areas of project management that are really pertinent to what you’ll do when you’re out in the workforce.”

Profile by Jared Story (Creative Communications, 2005)
Photography by Lindsay Rowan (Professional Photography, 2012)

A recent Red River College graduate, Kisama takes great pride in his work at Actionmarguerite, a home for francophone seniors who require personal and long-term care services.

He’s a therapeutic recreation specialist, so it’s part of his role to engage the residents, and encourage them to take part in the therapeutic programming he creates and plans.

“Some of the residents have dementia, physical disabilities or can’t hear or see very well — they need love and someone beside them who will treat them with dignity and make them feel like they can still do things,” says Kisama.

“My floor has 40 residents, and they all know my name. They are happy, and because of that I am very happy.”

Kisama has always enjoyed working with seniors, which is one of the reasons he decided to enroll in Red River College’s Thereapeutic Recreation Facilitator for Older Adults program.

He and his family came to Winnipeg from the Congo as refugees in 2013. Back home, he served in a similar role as a community support worker.

“The teaching methods were wonderful, and the College itself is well organized,” he says of his experience at RRC. “They made things simple, in the sense that if you are serious about what you want to do, and you work hard, you will succeed in the program.”

Another reason Kisama wanted to take the program was because of the flexible schedule afforded by the continuing education option.

“It worked around my timetable with my four kids and with my wife, so my family wasn’t even affected,” he says. “It made it easier for me to finish and to study hard.”

Kisama is fluent in French, English and Portuguese, which is helpful in his role, since he’s often called on to communicate in French to the residents — but could sometimes pose a challenge while he was in class.

“Whenever I had a problem with English or writing, I got enough support and all my questions were answered positively and taken seriously,” he says.

He completed his workplace practicum with Actionmarguerite, and secured a term position there once he’d graduated from the program in 2018. Kisama says it was “a miracle” that he was able to land a job in Winnipeg where his bilingualism is an asset.

“I could have lost my French, but I get to practice every day,” he says. “It’s like home.”

Daniel St. Vincent, manager of community programs at Actionmarguerite, works closely with Kisama, and says his life experience, expressive personality and language skills make him a valued member of their team.

“For some of these individuals French is their mother tongue, and speaking it allows [Kisama] to connect with them,” he says.

St. Vincent notes Kisama made an impact when he was able to draw out residents who had typically declined to participate in programming at Actionmarguerite.

“They started saying, ‘No I’m not ready to go back to my room yet!’ That to me is a demonstration of the important work that he does,” says St. Vincent. “This is a remarkable individual.”

Kisama says he used an approach called validation therapy to bond with residents. At the beginning it was hard, but day by day he encouraged their interests, and eventually they began proactively asking about the programs and joining in.

“I showed that I understood and valued them the way they are,” says Kisama.

“They were able to rediscover their sense of self and revisit things they missed, and wanted to be or do.”

Kisama says he enjoys applying what he learned at RRC in his new role role.

“The time I spent at RRC was not for nothing — it was important,” he says. “People love what I’m doing and enjoy it, and I’m very proud of that.”

Profile by Raegan Hedley (Creative Communications, 2016)

Red River College delivers job-ready graduates to employers, and Ronda Henley was as job-ready as it gets.

In 1987, while still enrolled in RRC’s Administrative Assistant program, Henley was offered a job with the Health Sciences Centre.

“It was in the department of communication disorders, working with speech pathologists and audiologists,” says Henley, who had previously completed RRC’s Secretarial Machine Transcription course in 1986.

“After completing an interview and passing their medical vocabulary and typing tests, they offered me the job, but I thought to myself, ‘Wait, I still have to do my final exams. I haven’t finished school.’”

And while Henley did complete the Administrative Assistant program, she still wasn’t finished furthering her education at RRC.

In 1997, she returned to the College to take the Human Resource Management program, having at the time been recently hired by United Grain Growers in an administrative assistant position in HR.

That put Henley on her current career path: HR in the agricultural sector. She’s held HR positions at UGG, Agricore United, Viterra, and for the last 10 years, Cargill.

Presently, Henley is Cargill’s employee experience/employee relations senior specialist for Manitoba.

“The role covers everything from onsite training to employee engagement to performance management — different realms that support employees and managers,” she explains.

Henley says she loves working in HR at Cargill.

“For a large company, it feels very family-like. It’s down to earth. We feel we can be ourselves at work. That makes for a very enjoyable work environment.”

As for the work itself, Henley says there’s a lot of variety in it.

“It’s never the same thing. It’s different every day because I’m dealing with specific situations and people.”

The agricultural industry is a good fit for Henley. In fact, it’s in her roots.

“Agriculture is close to my heart. Both my grandfathers were farmers, and my one grandfather went on to become a grain buyer for Cargill in Rhein, Saskatchewan,” Henley says.

“My brother and I also used to visit my aunt and uncle in Saskatchewan for the summers. My uncle was managing a grain elevator at the time and we helped out with grain sampling and coopering railcars.”

Speaking of family, Henley met her husband through an RRC classmate, and her daughter was recently accepted into the Legal Assistant program at the College.

Henley is excited for her daughter — who is currently in university — to have the same hands-on college experience she did.

“When I went to Red River, they treated it like a job. You were  expected to be there,” Henley says. “The classes are small, so you get very personal and individualized attention from the instructors. The instructors also talk from experience, not just from a textbook.”

Henley definitely speaks from experience. Since 2012, she’s been a member of RRC’s Administrative Assistant Advisory Committee.

“I felt like I couldn’t put my hand up fast enough,” she says, of her decision to join the committee.

“I am proud that I am able to give back for all that I’ve been given — I feel this is kind of a legacy to me, to say, ‘I went through this program and now you can see where I am in my career.’”

“It’s so good to hear what’s going on in the program. The committee members and instructors talk about different aspects that we feel are important to the success of the students, such as types of  software that companies are using, employers’ expectations of employees, and what skills are important.

“Really it’s about how we can equip the students to meet or exceed employers’ needs. I can share my knowledge from being on the other side — being an employer —and what I see are valuable skills that can be learned in the classroom, that will help new administrative assistants achieve success.”

Profile by Jared Story (Creative Communications, 2005)

On May 24, 12 students have successfully completed the Youth Recreation Activity Worker (YRAW) program, and are ready to provide inner-city youth with healthy recreational activities and serve as positive role models.

Each year, Red River College (RRC) and Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg partner to train individuals — many of whom face socio-economic barriers themselves — to work with inner city youth as recreational leaders. The nine-month program is designed for individuals ages 18-29, who live in or around Winnipeg’s inner city, and face barriers to obtaining their post-secondary education.

Graduates of the program find jobs with Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, other inner city youth agencies, or as childhood educators and teachers’ aides. Other grads continue their studies in RRC’s Youth and Child Care diploma program or go on to university.

This program has been changing participants’ lives for 16 years. Two grads from the 2018 class, Paul McLean and Sappfyre McLeod, share parts of their graduation speeches on what this program has meant for them.

Paul McLean:

This has been an amazing experience that I am never going to forget, including the stress and grey hair that came with it. It is because of my awesome instructors in this program that I have gained this new knowledge on what it truly is to be a Youth Care Worker, and I want to say thank you to them. Working with youth has always been something that I have been passionate about and to help show the youth that I work with a new positive outlook on life.

To my classmates, fellow graduates, and new friends, we are now going in a new chapter of life full of possibilities and new opportunities. There will be multiple downs in life, but those downs are needed to appreciate the ups even more.

Sappfyre McLeod:

I am filled with such gratitude to be here in this moment with you all.

This has been my most successful academic year to date.

Before coming into this program, my experiences with post-secondary education were personally very discouraging. I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be. I had and still do have very lofty ambitions, but I just didn’t know how I would get there. My previous performance reflected that confusion.

It was not due to a lack of talent or smarts, potential or drive. I remember being disheartened and confused. Feeling lost as to “why I couldn’t do it” why I couldn’t as successful as I wanted. When I knew I had the skills to do so. I wanted to give up.

And then in an odd twist of fate I was met with this opportunity. I was able to clarify the vision I have of my future. Hone and tune the skills I already have. This program greatly reaffirmed for me my value and my worth. Helping me grow as a person at such a pivotal moment in my adult life as I explore who I am and who I wish to be. The clarity and insight I’ve gain from this program go unmatched. Giving me the confidence, skills and certification to continue doing the work that I love in a way that positively impacts my community. I couldn’t be more grateful.

Applications for the fall intake are being accepted now.

Learn more about the program here or contact Randy Wagner at 204.982.4943.

Joe Kerr (Instructor), Min Kim (silver medalist), Heather Beckstead (gold medalist) and Rodney Braun (Lead Instructor)

A picture is worth a thousand words. The story, emotions, creativity and energy that can be captured in a photograph proves this fact, and the observer can identify, appreciate and enjoy the captivating work-of-art. This passion is what fuels photographers to bring their photos to life in creative visions.

The 21st annual Skills Manitoba Competition was held on April 12 at Red River College (RRC’s) Notre Dame and Exchange District Campuses. Over 475 students, from high school, post-secondary and apprenticeship programs, competed in 42 different skilled trades and technology challenges in six industry sectors. Achieving a medal at this level is no easy feat!

Two of RRC’s Professional Photography students participated in this competition and came out on top! Taking home the gold and silver medals in photography were Heather Beckstead and Min Kim, respectively. Congratulations on an impressive accomplishment!

Their challenge in this competition was to take three images that depicted document usage, oral communication and a mystery object. Participants were armed with a campus map of the various trades and technology events taking place, and were given the autonomy to choose an area, such as bricklaying, cabinet making or automotive, where their first two images could be captured.

Glow sticks were the mystery object to be creatively included in the third image, in any imaginative way the photographer desired. RRC’s gold medal winner found a bicycle, lit the glow sticks and wove them through the spokes of the bicycle tire. Spinning the tire and using a slow shutter speed, Beckstead successfully captured a continuous ring of light. As she explains, “It’s creativity that often sets a photo apart. Keeping things simple and not overthinking it can make for the best photos.”

Silver medal winner Min Kim used a blend of strategy, technical skill and creativity in his version of the glow stick image. He made a composite of two separate photos to create an end result that showed him throwing the glow stick towards the camera in the most natural way – when in fact, no glow sticks were thrown and the only camera operator was Kim. He clearly had the judges stunned, explaining with a laugh, “They had that ‘how did you do that’ look on their faces!”

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Kim and his family moved to Winnipeg two years ago. After starting out in RRC’s Creative Communications program, a lifelong interest in photography prompted him to switch gears and enroll in the College’s Professional Photography program. “For me, photography is a lot of fun,” says Kim, who hopes to soon be hired as a full-time photographer and looks forward to gaining the experience and enjoyment that comes from different and challenging opportunities.

Beckstead’s story of how she became involved in photography is inspiring, and should motivate others to pursue their passion, no matter what life brings. An interest in photography from a young age prompted her to take some related high school courses. Although Beckstead pursued a career in administration, she found a way to incorporate photography in each of the positions she held. Her love of photography motivated her to take the next step and enroll in RRC’s eight-month program. “I wanted to do it properly,” Beckstead said. “I wanted to have a solid foundation. I wanted to be able to talk about it, to know what to do and how to do it.” Beckstead credits the program’s instructors for their support and assistance in preparing for this competition. “In class, everything is critiqued and we all have the same guidelines,” she explains. Understanding this process and having the experience of applying constructive feedback bodes well for future competitions.

Beckstead will be traveling to Edmonton in early June to compete in the Skills Canada National Competition, where participants will have two days to shoot 11 images, including more mystery objects! She is looking forward to the experience of being a part of Team Manitoba and learning what other competitors do in similar situations. We wish her all the best!

Skills Manitoba provides opportunities for students pursuing careers in trades and technology to participate in various challenges designed to test their skills in their chosen fields. Students’ performance is evaluated by industry professionals, who along with employers, educators, labour groups and governments use this opportunity to ensure that programming and training are relevant and meet industry needs. In today’s economy, many factors – including technology, the marketplace and workplace demographics – are continuously changing. As a result, Manitoba employers and educators must reassess how they will meet the needs of future labour markets and ensure a succession of well-trained employees for tomorrow’s economy.

This competition drives awareness of the wide range of trades and technology careers and highlights the impact these skills have on the future of our province.

Learn more about the Professional Photography program here. There are a few space left for August 2018 intake.

“Now I see projects everywhere,” said Ashdown, when asked how best to describe what he learned through the program. “I think as professionals we tend to see ourselves as people who can get things done. But when you really break things down through a project management lens you start to see the inefficiencies that exist.”

As for what Ashdown liked most about the program, he didn’t hesitate in saying it was the knowledge of the instructors and the real-life examples they brought to the table.

“I learned so much just hearing about their experiences — their successes and their failures,” he said. “Education can so often turn into nothing but note taking and exams, but I really enjoyed coming to class and participating in discussions that challenged a lot of assumptions I never realized I even had.”

The passion and skill Ashdown has developed for the discipline of project management translated to great success in the program itself — and in Ashdown being named this year’s Project Management Institute 2018 Scholarship Winner.

As excited as Ashdown is to have achieved such a high standing in the program, he’s even more excited to be able to translate what he’s learned into greater productivity for his employer, New Flyer Industries.

“I was very fortunate to have New Flyer sponsor my enrolment at RRC because they recognize the value of the skill sets being taught more than anyone,” said Ashdown. “Since starting the program, I’ve moved into a challenging and fast-paced position within New Flyer’s Service department.  I manage multiple bus field retrofits, help design repairs and run warranty investigations, with each of these like its own project with associated planning, communication, costing and risk analysis considerations.”

As for how Ashdown feels what he’s learned will help him down the road, he’s pretty confident that his involvement with PMI will open doors to many new opportunities.

“I knew that increasing my project management abilities would help unlock my career potential, and I believe it’s improved my ability to assume new responsibilities, help meet company objectives and grow within my organization,” said Ashdown. “In fact, I’m now pursuing my project management designation and just started the PMP exam prep course back at RRC to develop my skills even further.”

In addition to helping his career, Ashdown is quick to point out that project management skills aren’t only applicable in the workplace. They also play an important role on a personal level.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re renovating your house, building a guest cottage or even planning a social, they’re all projects — whether you realize it or not,” he said. “Since completing the program, this has become even more evident to me and I’m continuously surprised at how I end up applying the methods I learned in class in my everyday life.”

Learn more about the Project Management and Project Leadership programs.

Case in point? Heather Klassen, a 2014 graduate of Red River College’s Project Management program, who in 2012 was working in addictions counselling when she unexpectedly lost her job.

Faced with the choice of pursuing more training in her chosen field or charting a new course, Klassen — then a University of Manitoba grad with a B.A. in criminology and psychology — enrolled at RRC and embarked on a career path she never knew existed.

“My interest was occupational health and safety, but the first course that I could take through the Red River program was project management fundamentals,” she says. “I had no idea what it was when I took that course, but once I started getting into it, it sounded like something really interesting that I wanted to keep pursuing.”

Project management is about “getting stuff done” and achieving identified goals in a methodical way, Klassen explains.

“It was a different way of thinking,” she says. “I had come from a crisis management/crisis worker role where everything just sort of happens, so there really was no planning. (Project management) was pro-active. It was definitely a gear shift in terms of how I looked at things and went about things, but I realized it’s just so practical.”

While commonplace in the big business world of manufacturing, construction and software development, project management is under-utilized by small businesses, Klassen quickly realized.

“While I was finishing my studies, I started networking among small businesses and discovered that there was a gap for small business and project management,” Klassen says. “I realized there isn’t a lot out there right now for small businesses.”

Recognizing an opportunity, Klassen targeted her services towards small businesses and wrote a book, Within Reach – An action plan to (finally) turn your ideas into reality, to help small business owners and other clients achieve their goals.

“I think for a lot of small business owners, myself included, we try to do everything ourselves,” Klassen says.

“We do what we’re good at in our business, why we started the business, and then we do all the backend stuff: the bookkeeping, accounting, inventory, marketing, website development, that sort of thing. Project management is an opportunity to outsource some of those things.”

Klassen says she wrote Within Reach with the aim of simplifying what, for newcomers to project management, can be a daunting process.

“When I started my business, I decided that I wanted to make project management more accessible to everyone,” she says. “There are a lot of technical terms that are used. If you are in the field, that’s great, but for the average person, it’s hard to understand.

“If it’s a sole proprietor trying to build their business, this is process that they can use. If it’s someone introducing a new product or service, instead of doing it off the cuff, there is actually a process that is involved.”

Klassen’s clients have ranged from a renovation company involved in complete apartment makeovers to a car salesman who wanted help reaching his health and fitness goals.

Project management can be applied “to almost anything, from planning a meal… all the way up to a business that wants to develop a new product or service, streamline their business or increase their productivity. It really is endless.”

RRC’s Project Management program is offered through distance education.

“The flexibility of that program and having access to instructors… outside of a classroom setting was the most beneficial thing for me,” Klassen says. “The distance education program is definitely a worthwhile investment.

Profile by Dean Pritchard (Creative Communications, 1994)

Shondell Babb

Shondell Babb dares to wear her natural hair, and now she’s encouraging others to embrace their curls, too.

Babb, of Thiah Management and Consulting, has partnered with Black Space Winnipeg to present the Naturally Gorgeous – Curly Hair Event at the Norwood Hotel this Sun., Oct. 29 at 3 p.m.

Babb says there is a lack of awareness amongst women with Afro-textured hair — as well as hair stylists and hair-product vendors — regarding how best to deal with the kinks in their hair.

“In mixed race, black and Afro-Canadian people with really curly hair, there’s a natural hair movement — away from chemicals or putting a weave in or wig on,” says Babb, who graduated from Red River College’s Project Management certificate program in 2010.

“Culturally, when we look at magazines or TV, a lot of times our hair isn’t represented and it’s also very politicized. I’m doing [the event] because a lot of women are natural, but if you grew up relaxing your hair and then you go natural you’re dealing with really kinky, curly hair, and you basically don’t know what you’re doing.

“You know the inside spring on a pen? That’s my curl. I used to relax my hair and then I let my hair grow out and I’m dealing with the inside coil of a pen, every single one of my hairs grows out like that. It’s like, ‘How do I manage this?’

“It’s difficult to manage if you don’t know what you’re doing, so I’m having this educational event.”

Naturally Gorgeous will feature a seminar by keynote speaker Dr. Susan Walker, a naturopathic doctor, hair and scalp specialist, and the creator of the Earthtones Naturals curly hair product line.

A second seminar, Mixed Kids and Hair Maintenance, will teach parents how to manage their children’s curly hair. The event will also feature a hair show, prize giveaways, natural hair care products and demonstrations by natural hair stylists.

Babb, who currently works as an administrative assistant for the College’s Program and Curriculum Development department, says she’s applying all of her training to the Naturally Gorgeous event. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce — with a major in marketing communications and entrepreneurship — from the University of Manitoba, and was a fashion technology student at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate.

“I’m using all of my schooling,” she says. “My fashion technology background for the hair show, my event planning background, even the skills I learned in CreComm, like taking photos for all the posters and banners and writing the press release.”

“The skills and knowledge I’ve gained from Red River College have been very valuable. I’m drawing from absolutely all of it to put on this event, and it’s saving me tons of money, because I can do it myself.”

Babb says she hopes to make Naturally Gorgeous an annual event, and plans to hold similar functions through Thiah Management and Consulting, which she launched over the summer. (Thiah is a derivative of her middle name, Orinthia.)

The message that Babb hopes to get across with this weekend’s gathering? That all hair is good hair.

“I wanted to do it because I have natural hair myself. I know all about these struggles, so I wanted to help the community understand their hair, and also love it and embrace it,” she says.

— Profile by Jared Story (Creative Communications, 2006)

2017 graduating class, Peterbilt Technician Institute

All six students enrolled in the first class of a specialized mechanics and technology course will walk out the doors of Red River College and into new careers as certified technicians for Peterbilt Motors Company.

The students are graduates of the new Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI), launched in partnership with the College earlier this year. The Institute is a manufacturer-paid training initiative offered to graduates of RRC’s Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic program, and to those interested in advancing their skills to become certified Peterbilt technicians.

For Alexandra Pratt, the experience means getting her foot in the door of a great career.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to get started in a career with such a well-known and reputable company,” ays Pratt. “I learned so much through this program, and would recommend it to anyone looking to start a career with the Peterbilt family.”

The six students were the first to complete the comprehensive training program, earning ten key certifications to earn their designation as Peterbilt Master Technicians.

This new program allowed the students to gain experience in all aspects of the work done at a Peterbilt dealership. Peterbilt Motors Company supplied the curriculum, laptops for the students, three trucks, two engines and specialized tools to help ensure the students’ success in becoming confident in their skills and career-ready by the end of the 12-week session. Peterbilt also trained RRC instructors to deliver the program at the College.

“Red River College is built on supporting the backbone of not only Manitoba’s economy, but many important sectors all across the country and throughout North America,” says Arnold Boldt, RRC’s executive director, Academic. “This new partnership with Peterbilt was a perfect fit when it came to accessing our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities.”

The program was delivered by RRC instructors Randy Zyzniewski and Perry McMahon, who provided the necessary expertise to ensure students not only successfully completed their training, but were prepared to meet and exceed Peterbilt’s standards.

While the trucking and transportation industry plays a big part in driving Canada’s economy — with more than 25,000 people employed in Manitoba alone — RRC’s experience delivering industry-specific training made it an ideal choice when Peterbilt began exploring options for their Canadian dealerships and employees.

With the success of the inaugural Institute, RRC and Peterbilt anticipate continued interest and increased enrolment in the next two sessions, scheduled for March and June of 2018.

Download the program brochure here.

Frida Sibal, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Frida Sibal is proof positive that it’s never too late to realize your dreams.

Eight years after arriving in Canada from the Philippines, and nearly 30 years after her last stint as a full-time student, Sibal enrolled in Red River College’s Administrative Assistant program.

“It was finally the change I was looking for in Canada, deciding to go back to school and choosing Red River College,” says the 49-year-old graduate. “There is room for success for people my age.”

Last December, Sibal completed a three-week practicum at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Five months later, the Crown corporation called, wanting to know if Sibal was interested in filling a term position as a human resources administrator.

Sibal leaped at the opportunity.

“The experience they are giving me is amazing,” Sibal says. “I am doing work for the educational assistance program, keeping files organized electronically. It’s a lot of day-to-day data entry — the kind of work that requires keen attention to details, because it involves a lot of workflows and processes. You really have to have sharp eyes to make sure you are entering the right data.”

After just three months, Sibal is already involved in orientation sessions for new staff.

“I love that,” she says. “I get to meet the new employees and talk to them and guide them… I would not have been confident doing that if not for the presentation classes I took (at Red River College).”

In the Philippines, Sibal worked for a telephone company for 14 years before quitting to become a full-time mom to her two young daughters. “I had to prioritize my kids,” she says.

By the time Sibal, her husband Alvin and daughters moved to Winnipeg to seek new opportunities, she had been out of the workforce for six years.

“Coming here, the thing that was looming over my head was a fresh start — how do I find it and how do I actually start my fresh start?” Sibal explains.

“It had been six years since I worked, so you can just imagine my self-esteem was so low. What was I going to do? There had been so many changes technology-wise, and I didn’t have any education with computers when I was in college in the Philippines.”

Sibal found part-time work in the service and retail sectors, but wanted something more. After a term position with the Canada Revenue Agency came to an end, she began exploring the possibility of returning to school.

Sibal says she researched other post-secondary options and concluded Red River College’s 17-week program would provide her with the best opportunity to acquire marketable skills in a relatively short period of time.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” Sibal says. “Seventeen weeks for 10 courses was crazy. It was so intense, so fast-paced. The good thing is, the instructors are very helpful —they won’t let the class go by without you understanding everything, and they answer a lot of questions.”

The Administrative Assistant program “was only 17 weeks, but it did magic.”

“All the techniques and the advice that I learned, I am applying them to the technology,” Sibal says. “Because I am now familiar with computers and I am confident, that has helped me a lot to adapt. I am just really happy that at my age I could … It’s an amazing feeling that the change I had been looking for and the fresh start that I had planned eight years ago is finally happening now.

“Red River College prepared me for take-off and now I have landed on my feet … and I’m enjoying every bit of it.”