“Don’t hesitate to start a conversation. We are here to talk with you, to consult well before you have to make any commitments,” says Ute Kothe, Dean, University of Manitoba (UM) Extended Education. “Our aim is to provide the education Manitobans need.”

Meeting challenges

In these rapidly changing times, businesses are having to adapt to become more efficient and explore new markets in both Canada and internationally. It’s not always easy to hire the perfect match for a job, but experts and leaders can be trained in-house.

“The cost of losing employees and having to rehire is significant. Professional development can make a big difference. That’s where we can help,” says Kothe. “We provide tailored professional development to enhance job skills and upskill workers. This is something we are deeply committed to.”

The university not only serves students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees but also supports alumni and businesspeople through lifelong learning. To this end, UM Extended Education provides flexible, online professional development options that fit into a busy schedule.

As part of the University of Manitoba, the largest research university in the province, Extended Education is in a unique position to provide tailored training opportunities.

“We have the connections to experts like our instructors, as well as the UM network of experts with a broad range of expertise.”

It all begins with a conversation with a member of Extended Education’s Business Development and Innovation Team to discuss your organization and its needs including determining the specific skill sets you want to provide or enhance in your team.

Building skills

“It’s not just about knowledge. There is a lot of knowledge easily available online now. It is about building skills,” says Kothe.

From one-time training to recognizing an organization’s own training as prior learning that can be credited towards a UM certificate or micro-certificate, UM Extended Education delivers tailored training to its partners to strengthen businesses and provide employees with the opportunity to add a university credential to their resume and LinkedIn profile.

Learning and growing

Extended Education graduate, Derek Scott started off as a power cableman for Manitoba Hydro, and now he is training people to be systems operators who make sure the lights stay on. The Certificate in Program Development for Adult Learners was a requirement for the position he holds.

But Scott has not stopped there. He is now working on his next credential, a Certificate in Applied Management.

“The most important thing is that learning never ends. That you can continue on your journey of learning. And no matter what your age or your life or what’s going on, you can do it and you can still advance and you know you are not stuck where you are. You can always grow,” he says.

Working in partnership

As an example, organizations have partnered with UM Extended Education to offer their own customized version of the Certificate in Applied Management.

Kothe says, “We determine a subset of elective courses that are relevant to the organization. Thereby we are together enabling their employees to enhance their impact for the organization and their CV for years to come.”

Another impactful example is the Micro-Certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions which can be customized for interested organizations. It is not just about understanding this important technology, she says. “Adding a blend of change management and leadership and management components can make all the difference.”

While UM Extended Education is always interested in forming new partnerships, the goal is to create lasting relationships. Accordingly, UM Extended Education has long-term partnerships with CPHR Manitoba, the Manitoba government, and Manitoba Municipal Administrators, providing certificates that lead to career enhancement and advancement.

Supporting people

UM Extended Education is committed to fostering welcoming workplaces that attract a wide range of talents. Organizations can strengthen their work culture with a credential in Change Management and with a new course called Understanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Practice. It is already recognized as professional development for several organizations.

While one or two people from an organization can take a program, when a larger number of employees form a cohort, there are even greater results, says Kothe. “They create a network. They can better collaborate with each other as they speak a common language due to their common educational experience.”

Providing customized professional development increases employee satisfaction and commitment to an organization.

“You depend on your people to do the work. Support them with professional development. We can work together to address your unique needs and discover where you can really shine,” says Kothe.

“We want to partner with you.”

To learn more about partnering with UM Extended Education, email bdi@umanitoba.ca

As seen in the Winnipeg Free Press

There are a variety of events taking place through the month of November. These free events will build your entrepreneurship mindset, develop your skills and connect you with other innovators.

Check out all the free events and registration information here.

Witness a live pitch competition, visit the Indigenous Winter Market, participate in lunch hour learning opportunities, and so much more.

EIT Month coincides with Global Entrepreneurship Week and International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, but UM supports are available year-round.

• Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation
• The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
• IDEA START
• Faculty of Science – Science Innovation Hub
• Lab 2 Market Prairies

Explore the many opportunities that support and celebrate entrepreneurship and innovative thinking at UM.

Partnerships

It is not easy running a business, working hard to maintain and grow your organization, and finding professional development for your staff. But you don’t have to do all of it alone. University of Manitoba (UM) Extended Education’s Business Development team is working with companies and organizations from across the province to understand your needs and support you in providing further education, created with the expertise of the university, industry, and community.

In today’s competitive world, a strategic plan to support employee growth is not optional. To remain competitive and retain talent, you must invest in your employees with professional development. Professionals demand a good career and quality of life.

“If their employer is not offering professional development, employees will move on,” says Yvonne Kinley, Director of Business Development, UM Extended Education. “A workforce development plan is key.”

Investing in talent to build capacity

A workforce development plan considers the careers needed in the organization including their specific skills and competencies, and if current staff have them. It closes gaps. It asks what is missing and what is needed. The goals are to increase the skills and capacity of current staff, do succession planning, and attract new talent.

In addition to skills and training, professional development increases an employee’s confidence and enhances their impression of the organization and their commitment to its success.

“Most businesses have a workforce development plan, but the formality of it varies. Human Resource skills are needed to manage them,” says Kinley.

HR training

For those who would like to build this expertise in-house, she suggests UM Extended Education’s Certificate in Human Resource Management. Accredited by CPHR Manitoba, the program trains HR professionals and prepares them to apply for professional certification.

And when someone is preparing for promotion, you want to ensure you provide them with adequate training for their new role.

Management training

For managers, the Certificate in Applied Management (CAM) is one that can be customized to meet your needs, says Kinley. For example, a non-profit social services agency within the community was looking for management programming and found their answer with their own customized version of CAM.

UM certificates are long recognized as quality education in their industries, says Kinley. They go beyond short webinars and workshops, with deeper content offered in a flexible format, online from anywhere. Several also offer an applied learning component, for real-world industry experience.

Courses to develop skills and competencies

UM Extended Education courses offer targeted training and the opportunity to get started on a professional development journey or credential. With their newest addition, Understanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Practice, employees can apply what they learn to your workplace so everyone can thrive. They will prepare to challenge biased systems and practices to identify and remove barriers for all with this course.

Make technology work for you

With the Micro-certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning Solutions, employees learn how to work with data to solve your real-world problems in just three courses, no coding required.

Or with Digital Innovation and Leadership (DIAL), two programs are developing digital leaders to transform careers and organizations. Digital Transformation for Managers and Digital Transformation for Leaders are offered by DIAL founded by SFU’s Beedie School of Business, in partnership with University of Manitoba Extended Education.

Upskilling your staff ensures the economic resilience of your business, and the Manitoba and greater economies. “Our ability to attract business to the province also depends on achieving a skilled workforce. It’s important for existing business and to attract new investment,” says Kinley.

“We are reimagining engagement, making strong connections through partnerships. Our upskilling benefits your employees, your organization, and your greater community.”

Learn more about UM Extended Education partnership opportunities

As seen in the Winnipeg Free Press

Students graduating from Red River College Polytechnic’s (RRC Polytech) Engineering Technology programs are now eligible for direct entry into a department program in the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba (UM), creating career options and opportunities for new graduates or industry professionals looking to level up.

This new partnership provides RRC Polytech Engineering Technology graduates the ability to further their education and earn an engineering degree in Manitoba, allowing students to experience the benefits of both programs through an accelerated approach. Pathways are available for up to ten RRC Polytech graduates per year applying to UM’s Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering programs in Fall 2025.

“We’re thrilled to see this partnership with RRC Polytech become a reality. This will mean an easier transition for students, as we work together to develop and keep engineering talent here in Manitoba,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor of UM. “UM’s Price Faculty of Engineering offers a comprehensive range of professional degree programs, co- and extra-curricular co-op, internship, and design opportunities to meet students’ interests, and it also offers the first-in-Canada Department of Engineering Education.”

This opportunity is open to RRC Polytech students graduating in 2025 as well as graduates from the last ten years.

“This partnership creates an invaluable pathway for graduates of RRC Polytech’s Engineering Technology programs to continue their educational journey right here in Manitoba. RRC Polytech and UM have a strong relationship, and this articulation agreement creates more opportunities for student mobility between our institutions. Most importantly it keeps talent here in Manitoba to support our industry and economy,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

A recent report from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Canada West Foundation noted that over the past decade there has been more youth (aged 15 to 34) leaving the province than arriving, with one of the key factors being a lack of opportunities for career advancement. RRC Polytech and UM work closely with industry through program advisory councils and regular discussions about bolstering the province’s economy and providing training for the skills of tomorrow.

For Price Industries, it’s an important part of growing and attracting a strong local workforce.

“For decades, I have had the privilege of hiring and working with graduates from RRC Polytech’s Engineering Technology programs and UM’s Price Faculty of Engineering. Both institutes produce incredible talent that has been vital to the success of our company, and both institutes are our preferred providers of engineering talent, many of whom now lead our various business units. I’m championing this partnership because I know that individuals who take both programs will elevate their own professional skill level and help companies grow and succeed in a multitude of industries,” says Dr. Gerry Price, Chairman and CEO of Price Industries.

This collaborative approach between the post-secondary institutions leverages existing strengths in research, facilities, equipment, infrastructure, and curriculum with the shared goals of supporting student achievement leading to increased graduate numbers, increasing diversity of students, offering high-quality program delivery, and ensuring research success. Both RRC Polytech and UM strive to meet Manitoba employer needs for a diverse workforce through recruitment of under-represented students into Engineering programs.

“It is important for Manitoba’s Polytechnic and Manitoba’s U15 university to be collaborating on education and training opportunities, and we know that the dual credentials are highly valued in industry and support career mobility for the graduates in fields that are important to Manitoba’s economy and growth,” says Marcia Friesen, Dean, Price Faculty of Engineering.

Manitobans of all backgrounds can access an engineering degree through this partnership and existing pathway programs, including supports for Indigenous students through RRC Polytech and UM’s respective programs, Pathway to Engineering Technology Program and Engineering Access Program (ENGAP).

“No matter their level of education or career experience, students can obtain a diploma and degree in engineering and accelerate their career options. This type of cross-institutional agreement will provide clear steps and support for students to adapt seamlessly from classroom to industry,” says Derek Kochenash, Dean, School of Skilled Trades and Technologies, RRC Polytech.

This new agreement is available for students graduating from the following programs at RRC Polytech:

• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Municipal Engineering Technology
• Structural Engineering Technology
• Geomatics Technology
• Environmental Engineering Technology

Applications will close June 1, 2025 for the Fall 2025 start date.

In Fall 2026, the agreement is expected to have additional articulation pathways available for RRC Polytech graduates applying to Biosystems, Electrical and Computer Engineering programs at UM.

It was the second event for Reyes’ initiative called Port-a-Kindness. The first was a mobile campus hangout in collaboration with the International Centre in February.

Reyes’ unexpected entrepreneurial journey all began with an invitation to Better Together.

Better Together is a 2-day experiential learning opportunity to build entrepreneurial thinking skills and collaborate with others in interdisciplinary teams. Participants also engage in a rapid design sprint to develop and share a validated solution to a campus challenge. Over 150 UM community members – staff, faculty and students – have participated in the past two years. It is hosted by Janine Carmichael and Meaghan Ewharekuko from The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.

“Originally, I thought Better Together was about starting businesses so I didn’t think it was for me. My friend encouraged me to come, and I learned that entrepreneurial skills can be used to address all kinds of problems, not just those of customers,” said Reyes.   

Reyes’ team worked on addressing theft at campus retailers, a challenge submitted by the University of Manitoba Students’ Union.

“At Better Together, the tables are set with big pieces of paper and supplies like sticky-notes, markers and fidgets. We started by deeply understanding the problem before brainstorming solutions and developing our pitch. I remember jotting down “mobile campus hangout” during the event. I even took a picture of it.” said Reyes.

After Better Together, the idea continued to percolate.

“I met Daniel Heschuk from the Faculty of Science Innovation Hub at Better Together. Like Janine, he has supported me with meaningful suggestions. I learned at Better Together about other entrepreneurial supports on campus and I’m now taking SCI4000: The Entrepreneurial Mindset for Scientists and Engineers. This course has been very timely for this season of my journey. My instructor, Joshua Zaporzan, has helped me develop my idea, too,” Reyes added.   

After Better Together, Reyes connected with others on campus, including the International Centre, Science Students’ Association, UMSU, and IDEA START. Rajeev Koyal, Program Manager at IDEA START, invited her to set up her initiative outside their space in UMSU University Centre.

“So many people are longing for meaningful connections with others. Our mobile campus hangout helps with that. And our gratitude wall helped the UM community take a moment to reflect on what is good. Gratitude and connection are like an antidote to uncertainty and loneliness.”

Reyes is grateful for the support she has received from many entrepreneurial supports on campus.

“Not only that, many other people stopped at the gratitude wall to offer to be involved. This may just be the beginning.”

Got an entrepreneurial idea? Not sure where to go for assistance?

IDEA START is UM’s new unit dedicated to ensuring entrepreneurial thinkers and doers are connected with the right support at the right time. That may be the Faculty of Science Innovation Hub, Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation, The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, UMSU Ventures, or other supports on and off campus.

If you are a student, staff, faculty or alumni reach out so the UM community can support you.