Update

 

Partnerships, Collaboration and Community Benefits - Now a reality at RDC's Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing 

The catchphrase “learn where you live” just became more relevant – students now have additional technology and training devices, ready to work, in the new Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing.

On June 17, more than 100 people attended a special event to launch and celebrate these opportunities. There was plenty to appreciate, recognize and unveil: 

 

• recognition of Red Flame Industries $250,000 donation – in part directed for new scholarships that will support students in the future Mechanical Trade or Engineering Technology programs, and in honor of Red Flame’s generosity, the dedication of the Red Flame Industries Materials Testing Lab
• commemoration of an important learning tool – the High Arctic Energy Services Training Derrick – enabling students in our Rig Technician, Millwright, Electrician, Mechanics and Welding programs to remain on campus to train
• recognition for the generous supporters who partnered to enable the training derrick: High Arctic Energy Services Inc., DFI, Roll’n Oilfield Industries Ltd, Studon Electric a& Controls Inc., and Group2 Architecture Engineering Ltd.

An appreciation for collaboration.  The major underlying theme for this event was to highlight the opportunity this Centre provides for partnership and collaboration. RDC hopes to continue and enhance the partnership it has with both government and industry. The Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing presents opportunities galore to partner – best of all, industry have their needs met right here in central Alberta, and students’ learning experiences become hands on and relevant to the needs of industry today.

Several members of industry and government made this event memorable: Jared Sayers, President of Red Flame Industries and Ross Whelan, Health & Safety Manager for High Arctic Energy Services. We also welcomed Cal Dallas, MLA Red Deer South and Earl Dreeshen, MP, Red Deer.

Representing RDC, Joel Ward, President, and Michael Donlevy, Vice President of Community Relations, took part in the afternoon’s festivities.

“It’s time we thank and recognize our generous donors,” says Donlevy, “those people who have invested in a College they believe in, to ensure the success of our students.” 

Attendees had a chance to view state-of-the-art equipment such as the Wet Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Detector and an Ultrasonic Flaw Detector along with the new spaces and much more advanced equipment available to students and community partners. Former RDC student, Luke Moore, was on hand to demonstrate the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machine that reads instructions to drive the tools.

This summer, Moore is headed to the World Skills Competition in London, England – one of only ten competitors from Canada.

At the end of the day, student success is what identifies RDC. The College continues to advance with the help of local and provincial supporters, making Trades and Manufacturing programs even more competitive and important within our region.

“We’ve got everything in place now to get our students working on industry projects and give our industry partners many innovative opportunities, right here in Red Deer,” says Tim Waines, Acting Associate Dean of Trades & Manufacturing Technology. “We have a lot to offer the learners and the communities of central Alberta.”