The History of RRC: Part One

From Nothing to Something:

Red River College came into existence in the mid-1930s. It was initially called The Industrial Vocational Education Centre, and was founded locally by three Winnipeggers: R.J.Jones, T.O.Durin, and and Otto Peters. The goal was to teach unskilled and unemployed youth basic, usable skills. The first students lacked desks, blackboards, and even classrooms. Everything had to be built, and the college literally started with nothing.

The government began providing monetary support in 1938. During the Second World War, the college also provided training for men going overseas. In 1948, after most Canadians had returned from the war, the college was opened to the community. It was renamed Manitoba Technical Institute (MTI). It became the first post-secondary, public school in the province that taught students vocational skills.

In the 1950s, the college continued to grow. MTI began to distinguish itself as different from any other type of post-secondary institution. Graduates were trained for specific jobs, and could walk right out the door and find work. Unique certificates and diplomas were issued to graduates, which was a huge advantage when trying to find employment.

In 1969, Manitoba joined a movement that swept across North America. Vocational and technical training programs in the Winnipeg community were fused, and the combined complex was renamed Red River Community College. The college expanded under this new name throughout the 70s and 80s.Distance Education was initiated in 1979. A Board of Governors was created in 1993, and the Aboriginal Education and Institutional Diversity Division was set up the same year.

In 1998, the college was renamed the Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology. Transformation of Campuses:The first RRC campus, The Industrial Vocational Education Centre, was located at 331 Henry Avenue. It moved around to various small buildings, and by 1944, had claimed the entire five-storey Ford Motor Company building at 1181 Portage Avenue. In 1950, the school of nursing transferred from St. Joseph's Hospital to MTI.

As the demand for programs at the college grew, it became necessary to move to a larger facility. In 1963, one was built at the corner of Notre Dame Avenue and King Edward Street. It was named the Manitoba Institute of Technology.

In 1985, in an effort to better serve the province, a campus was opened in Portage la Prairie. Many other campuses followed: Selkirk and Winkler in 1986; Gimli and Steinbach in 1992. The Market Driven Training program (MDT) was launched as an affiliate program of the college in 1986. In 1997, the Industrial Technology Centre opened on Kind Edward Street. In 2002, Stevenson Aviation opened a new campus at 2280 Saskatchewan Avenue. The Princess Street campus opened in 2003, and it continues to win awards for being an innovative and sustainable building.

Explosion of Students:

At the end of the 40s, the college had an enrollment of roughly 1000 students a year (both full-time and part-time).

In 1963, when the college opened its new location at Notre Dame Avenue, there were roughly 2000 students a year.

By roughly 1970, the college had exploded, and saw about 10,000 students a year. By 1985, enrollment was at 25,000 students year.

Today, RRC teaches roughly 40,000 students a year, and that number continues to climb.

Expansion of Programs:

Some of the first courses to be offered at RRC were carpentry, welding and forging, power engineering, machine shop, needle trades, and radio.

By 1948, when the college opened as the MTI, there were 34 courses for students to choose from.

Around 1968, as the college was rapidly expanding, many new programs were added to the existing options.

Students were now able to take Advertising Art, Computer Analyst/ Programmer, Hotel Management, Creative Communications, Preschool Education, ESL programs, Commercial Studies, and Teacher Education.

The Teacher Education program in 1975 marked the first college-university joint program with the University of Winnipeg.

Origins of the Students Association:

The first RRC Students Association (SA) formed at the MTI in 1950. Its annual membership fee was 50 cents. In 1974, the SA was incorporated into the college as a business entity. The Association opened "The Crazy Ox," which became the first of many business ventures. The SA was also responsible for creating an on-campus daycare centre in 1975.