Innovation & Creativity Award

Recognizes organizations that have undertaken a unique initiative or program within their human resources portfolio that has inspired an exceptional level of innovation and creativity.

Finalist: Canadian Gaming Centre of Excellence

The Canadian Gaming Centre of Excellence (CGCE) is a subsidiary of Manitoba Lotteries, operating out of the Human Resources division. The CGCE focuses on developing gaming specific education and products to enhance employee skills within the organization and at a National and International level. Manitoba Lotteries is focused on education and developing its internal talent. It is considered a learning organization.

The Gaming Leadership Certificate Program is an industry-certified pre-MBA program in partnership with Athabasca University, University of Nevada and Reno. The program was created in 2011 to build gaming skills necessary for leadership positions and provides credits and access into both Athabasca University's MBA program and UNR's Certificate in Gaming Management. Students participate in eight interactive online courses complete with assignments and grading which especially allows shift workers to access post-secondary educational opportunities necessary to move into senior-level positions. The program is customized to the gaming industry with input from the industry through CGCE.

An Advisory Committee was extremely engaged through the development of the program. They assisted with research to conduct the needs assessment, customized program courses, sponsored students from their organizations for the first cohort and communicated the Gaming Leadership Certificate Program within their respective gaming organizations within Manitoba Lotteries. The key stakeholders include the Board of Directors, Senior Executives, management level employees and Human Resources.

In November 2012, the first cohort of eight students from across Canada (5 from manitoba Lotteries) graduated from the program. Two of the first year program graduates have applied to enter into the MBA program. The second cohort began in February 2013 and the number of students participating the in program has increased, which is a positive indication of program acceptance.

 2013 Sponsor: People First HR Services