College Expansion Initiative

Programs and Investments

The College Expansion Initiative (CEI) works with all four institutions Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, University College of the North and École technique et professionnelle to develop multi-year plans that address each college’s unique programming needs.

New Programs 2008-09

École technique et professionnelle

Diploma Nursing (Sciences infirmières) – Program Expansion – ($210,000)

Originally approved in 2001 for an enrollment of 25 students per year, the Diploma Nursing Program (Sciences infirmières) was expanded by eight enrollment spaces for a total of 33 students.  The program expansion is part of the Government’s Expanded Nursing Strategy announced in April, 2008 to increase nurse training capacity across Manitoba.

Red River College

Rural Diploma Nursing Accelerated (RDNA) and Joint Baccalaureate Nursing (JBN) Program Expansions – ($500,000)

In view of the ongoing shortage of registered nurses in Manitoba, the Council approved an expansion of eight first-year spaces to each of the Rural Diploma Nursing Accelerated (RDNA) Program and the Joint Baccalaureate Nursing (JBN) Program as part of the Government’s Nursing Strategy.  The RDNA program serves LPNs in rural areas who wish to become RNs.  The RDNA expansion includes the addition of a fourth rural site and eight spaces, for total of 32 rural enrolment spaces.  The JBN program offers a three-year program to students attending Red River College, with a transfer to the University of Manitoba to complete the final year of the Bachelor of Nursing Program. 

Peguis/Fisher River Regional Campus: Health Care Aide Certificate, Business Administration Integrated Diploma, and Aboriginal Self-Government Diploma – ($500,000)

Following the results of a feasibility study to establish a regional campus in the North Interlake, Red River College received approval as part of the Department’s 2008/09 New Initiatives to expand its regional campus system to serve students in the Peguis, Fisher River, and surrounding communities.  The Council approved the opening of the Peguis/Fisher River Regional Campus with three funded program offerings: the Health Care Aide Certificate Program with 18 enrolments; the Business Administration Integrated Diploma Program with 15 enrolments, and the Aboriginal Self-Government Diploma Program with 12 enrolments.  The programs address the need to educate Aboriginal youth within their communities so they are able to contribute to the economic development of their region.

Transition Year Programs – Peguis and Fisher River First Nations ($200,000)

The Council approved funding of $200,000 as part of the Department’s 2008/09 New Initiatives to support the offering of transition year programs at Peguis First Nation ($100,000) and at Fisher River First Nation ($100,000).  As part of a contractual agreement, Red River College provides the above communities with the curriculum for a 10-month enhancement program to assist 20-25 students in transitioning from their respective community to programs at the college.  Students have the option of obtaining dual credits that can assist those without a grade 12 diploma in obtaining their mature student diploma.

Water Quality and Waste Management Technician Study – ($25,000 one-time only)

Red River College received one-time only funds of $25,000 for consultant fees to study the current state of Water Quality and Waste Management Technician training and professional requirements in Manitoba.  The study was designed to address all issues concerning the best training model, delivery modality, student interest and employment demand for the eventual offering of a Water Quality Technician Program at Red River College.

Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses  – ($163,800 from Manitoba Labour and Immigration in 2008/09; and $118,700 in 2008/09)

As part of the Government’s Nursing Strategy to increase nurse training capacity, and to increase immigration, the Council approved the establishment of Levels 2 and 3 of a 20-seat Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nursesas a pilot project, as well as for one and possibly two additional cohorts in 2009/10 at Red River College (Level 1 was funded by Manitoba Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport).  As the only program of its kind in Manitoba, the pilot project was specifically designed to meet the gap training needs of internationally educated nurses seeking licensure as RNs in Manitoba who are unable to practice as RNs or pass the Canadian Nurses Registration Examination due to limited English language skills or nursing skills practice issues.  The pilot project, part of the larger “Capacity Building for Internationally Educated Nurses Project” funded by Health Canada and supported by the four western provinces and northern territories, is expected to become an ongoing regular program in the future in view of the shortage of RNs in Manitoba and the number of internationally educated nurse graduates who will seek registration in Manitoba.

University College of the North

Educational Assistant Certificate Program ($408,000 over three years; $141,700 in 2008/09; $117,800 ongoing)

The Educational Assistant Certificate Program combines formal instruction and practical experience to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide educational assistance to students, teachers, counselors and other educational professionals in a variety of settings.  Particular emphasis is placed on providing services within Aboriginal and northern communities including urban, rural and remote locations.  The program helps establish a career path for lifelong learning in which students completing the program can receive advanced standing in UCN’s Bachelor of Education degree to enable moving from positions as educational assistants to certified teachers.  The program also helps meet the significant demand for skilled educational assistants and teachers in northern and Aboriginal communities.

College Programs Approved by COPSE that did not Receive Funding

Assiniboine Community College

Civil Technician Diploma – Program Expansion

In view of the major shortage of skilled civil technicians, and the need to fill vacant positions, particularly in northern Manitoba, the Council approved an expansion of five spaces to the existing enrollment of 15 students per year, increasing the total to 20 seats in the Civil Technician Diploma Program.

Office Administration Certificate – Program Expansion

In response to the demand for office administration training, the Council approved the reallocation of 10 spaces from the Office Administration Certificate Program at the Brandon campus to the Parkland campus in Dauphin.

Redirection of funds from Wireless Telecommunications Engineering Technology Program to the Computer Systems Technology Program and to Distance Education Offerings

Due to lack of enrollment in the Wireless Telecommunications Engineering Technology (WTET) Program, the Council approved the suspension of the program for 2008/09 and the temporary redirection of $124.3 from Year 1 of the WTET Program to support an additional intake of 15 students in Year 1 of the Computer Systems Technology (CST) Diploma Program in 2008/09, thereby increasing the total capacity from 50 to 65 students in the CST Program.  The Council further approved the temporary redirect of $124.3 from Year 2 of the WTET Program to support base-budgeted distance education offerings at the College.  A review of the WTET and CST Programs was subsequently undertaken to determine possibilities for restructuring the delivery framework.

Wireless Telecommunications Engineering Technology Program Restructuring Plan

The Council approved Assiniboine Community College’s plan to restructure its Wireless Telecommunications Engineering Technology (WTET) Program, including an updated labour market and employment analysis for WTET graduates.  The restructuring plan included renaming the program to the Communications Engineering Technology (Wireless) Program; development of a ‘common core’ 15-seat Electronic Technician Certificate as an exit point for students at the end of Year 1 beginning in 2009/10; and the offering of a 15-seat, two-year Communications Engineering Technology (Wireless) Diploma Program beginning in 2010/11.  Students completing the ‘common core’ first year have the opportunity to transfer to the second year of a related range of diploma programs at partner institutions.  Employment prospects are considered very good in view of the strong communications and wireless industry in western Canada and the number of local and regional companies in Manitoba looking to hire graduates.

École technique et professionnelle

Diplôme en administration des affaires – option Gestion de bureau, année II Business Administration Diploma Program – Office Management Option, Year II

The Council approved the suspension of the second year of the Office Management Option in the Business Administration Diploma Program in 2008/09 due to insufficient enrollment.  The situation was re-assessed in spring 2009 following a survey of students enrolled in the Business Administration Diploma Program.

Red River College

Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul Technician – Expansion and Conversion to Apprenticeship

The Council approved the suspension of the Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul Technician (GTRO) Program for one year to convert to an apprenticeship delivery model in order to meet the long-term labour market needs for gas turbine technicians.  Standard Aero Ltd. (SAL) is the single largest employer of GTRO graduates and requires 387 gas turbine technicians over the next five years to service a number of new long-term contracts in Manitoba.  As the world’s largest gas turbine repair and overhaul organization, SAL can provide access to advanced technologies and large commercial engines for training, in partnership with Red River College and the Manitoba Apprenticeship Branch.  The GTRO apprenticeship program increased its capacity to 60 students per year, and is consistent with Government’s priority to strengthen and grow apprenticeship training in Manitoba.

Business Administration Diploma – Financial Services Major

With the strong, emerging demand for strategic wealth management for clients, an aging demographic, and the need for new financial products and services, the Council approved the offering of a fifth major in Financial Services to the Business Administration Diploma Program at Red River College.  Following completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to work as entry level managers and professionals in the financial services market which includes but is not limited to chartered banks, investment firms, credit unions, trust companies and insurance companies.

Pre-employment Construction Trades Program Expansion

In response to the critical shortage of skilled workers in Manitoba’s construction industry, Red River College received Council approval to convert its 10-month Pre-employment (PE) programs in three high-demand trade areas, Carpentry, Electrical Construction, and Piping Trades to 5-month PE programs on a pilot basis beginning in February 2009.  The 5-month programs provide students with technical training which meet and exceed Level 1 Apprenticeship standards, and prepare them with the skills and knowledge to enter a trades career at the entry level.  The shorter programs allow the College to deliver twice as many sections of half the duration, train more individuals to meet the skills shortage, reduce waiting times for applicants, improve retention, and increase completion rates.  When fully implemented, enrollment capacity will double from 128 to 256 students per year across all three trades in order to increase the supply of skilled workers needed to keep pace with new construction projects and replace an increasing number of retiring workers.

Historical Funding of Programs

2007-08 (16 KB)
2006-07 (17 KB)
2005-06 (15 KB)
2004-05 (13 KB)
2003-04 (22 KB)
2002-03 (17 KB)
2001-02 (19 KB)
2000-01 (15 KB)

Investment Overview

The colleges and the College Expansion Initiative (CEI) have developed multi-year expansion plans that address future programming needs. Each plan is unique and builds upon the strengths and challenges of each institution. CEI's responsibility is to ensure that investments are balanced among all economic sectors and roughly allocated according to breadth and size of each institution.

The following chart illustrates CEI program investments from 2000/01 to 2009/10

NOTE: Strategic Initiatives are investments that will indirectly foster enrolment growth. Support for regional centres, for example, has allowed UCN to extend its reach in northern Manitoba. Similarly, investments in distance education permit colleges to increase access to their programs. The RRC Princess Street Campus and the ACC relocation to the site of the former Brandon Mental Health Centre are other examples of strategic initiatives.