The Red River Technical Vocational Area (RRTVA) program celebrates its 50th year in 2023.
In 1973, it was a joint venture agreement signed by four area schools' divisions. Before school boards were amalgamated in 2000, the divisions who formed the RRTVA were Boundary School Division in Dominion City, Red River School Division in Saint Pierre, Morris-Macdonald School Division and Rhineland School Division in Altona.
RRTVA Board Chair Gail Sutherland shared the significance of reaching this milestone.
"It's huge to have a joint venture with this many school divisions and have it go this long and run this smoothly. Our current partners are Borderland, Garden Valley, Red River and Western. We have a partnership as well with the DSFM (Division Solaire Franco-Manitobaine). That's a huge part of Southern Manitoba and that helps so many kids who might not want to sit in a traditional classroom setting and might not be the best option for them. This has been huge."
Not only has the programming benefited the students, but it has also met a need in the region.
"Yeah, there's definitely a shortage of this type of employee out there and it's great to know that we're contributing to the workforce. A lot of these students stay locally and that helps our local workforce."
RRTVA Coordinator Lane Curry said in the last number of years, the average number of students enrolled in the thirteen programs across participating divisions had been around four hundred, with approximately two hundred per semester.
"We have Autobody in Morris. We have Automotive in Garden Valley Collegiate and Roseau Valley School, in Dominion City. We have a Baking and Pastry Arts offered in Northlands Parkway Collegiate (NPC) as well as WC Miller Collegiate. We have carpentry in WC Miller Collegiate in Altona, Culinary in both NPC and WC Miller, we have Electrical in NPC as well as an Aesthetics and Hair Styling program for the beauty trades. And then, we have Heavy Duty Mechanics in Garden Valley Tech in the Industrial Park, as well as another Welding program in Morden and Morris, and the Piping and Plumbing Program in Morden."
Curry noted, while this programming is aimed at giving students the first half of their first level in an apprenticeship at no cost, for some students it is an opportunity to try multiple options to see what trade is the one, or not the one, for them. He added, there is a barrier for students after high school who then need to take the remaining parts of their training in either Brandon or Winnipeg, but for those who do, this programming gives them a leg up.
Sutherland said the programming has had a personal impact in her life.
"I'm a trustee, but I'm also a parent and my oldest son went through the RRTVA program, the Carpentry program out of WC Miller in Altona, and it was great. He learned so much. He didn't end up actually just working in carpentry, but he's renovated his own home completely." she added with a chuckle, "I don't think I would have gotten that kid graduated without the RRTVA."
Looking ahead, she acknowledged there is a need for more programming and hopes to continue to expand what is offered to equip students, especially those who are rural or struggle to get into classrooms, and to continue to connect with the communities around them to meet the growing need for skilled labourers.
Curry agreed, noting Skills Manitoba has emphasized the need for skilled labourers in Canada as the aging population moves into retirement there are many positions needing to be filled. Curry encourages students to try the programming in high school, at no cost, as it may help guide their future plans.
A celebration, recognizing the successes of the last 50 years, took place at the last RRTVA board meeting at WC Miller Collegiate in Altona, featuring a full meal made by the culinary class followed by cake.
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