2025 year-end recap: Expanding access, advancing equity, and shaping the future of work-based learning.

For clarity, when we use the term “learner” throughout this blog, we’re referring broadly to both students enrolled in formal postsecondary programs and adult learners building skills through reskilling or upskilling pathways. While “student” often reflects a structured academic setting, “learner” captures the wider range of people gaining skills and experience through Riipen’s programs.

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2025 was a year of bold action and meaningful progress for Riipen. Through new global partnerships and innovative programs focused on equity and access, we expanded opportunities for learners and employers, fostering a sense of shared achievement and purpose across borders. We deepened connections with learners, empowering them with real-world skills, while helping employers access the talent of tomorrow. Here’s a closer look at what shaped our year across programs, partnerships, impact, and innovation.

Check out our quick recap with our Co-Founder and CEO, Dana Stephenson.

New academic partners: Expanding global connections.

Riipen made significant strides in expanding our academic network, forging new partnerships that span Canada, the U.S., and internationally. It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about connecting learners with real-world experiences that align with industry needs and creating pathways to success.

In Canada, institutions such as Centennial College and Cambrian College have partnered with us to integrate applied learning directly into the classroom. These partnerships ensure learners gain the skills and confidence necessary to excel in the evolving job market, strengthening ties between learners and employers and providing learners with the critical, job-ready skills needed to thrive.

In the United States, partnerships with Florida National University and Western Governors University enabled learners to gain hands-on experience while earning their degrees. These collaborations focus on career alignment and acceleration, which is crucial as institutions adapt to meet the increasing demand for work-based learning.

Every academic partnership strengthens the bridge between education and industry, creating equitable opportunities for learners and preparing them to make meaningful contributions to the workforce.

New program launches: Expanding access and creating opportunities.

At Riipen, we are committed to providing career-connected experiences that are both meaningful and engaging for learners from all backgrounds. In 2025, we launched a suite of innovative programs designed to break down barriers and expand access to work-based learning for all

Career pathways & workforce development.

We introduced career-aligned programs in collaboration with key academic partners, designed to help learners gain practical, hands-on experience that prepares them for success in today’s competitive workforce.

• Calbright College’s Career Bridge program: Calbright College’s Career Bridge program offers paid, work-based learning opportunities for adult learners across California, enabling students to gain real-world experience on employer projects in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and data analytics.
• Impact Projects – Climate Resilience, in partnership with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS): This program empowers learners to work on critical environmental projects, helping to meet the growing need for sustainability experts while providing learners with hands-on experience in green technology and sustainability.‍
• The University of Virginia V-TOP program: This statewide initiative supports UVA learners in gaining career-aligned experience. Through the addition of micro-internships through Riipen, learners completed paid, employer-sponsored projects that build practical skills while connecting with organizations across Virginia.

Workforce development & equity.

We rolled out programs designed to empower underserved groups, create mentorship opportunities, and foster inclusive career pathways.

• The REALWork Springfield Empowerment Zone Program: In partnership with the Springfield Empowerment Zone, offers underrepresented learners workforce development opportunities in high-demand industries, enabling them to gain the confidence and experience necessary to succeed in their careers.
• Youth Thrive, in collaboration with The Career Foundation: This program offers participants a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally through service-focused projects while also supporting non-profit organizations in delivering community-impact work.
• Expressway Cyber Program, through COSTI: This program addresses the cybersecurity talent shortage by offering training and career opportunities to learners in this high-demand sector, equipping them with the practical skills necessary to launch successful careers.‍
• Skills Lab, in collaboration with IBM SkillsBuild: This program offers equity-focused programs that provide hands-on learning in digital marketing, software development, and data analysis, helping learners build the skills needed to compete in today’s job market and drive stronger employment outcomes.

Future-ready students.

We supported several initiatives that bring real-world, career-aligned learning directly into high school settings. Through Utah Connections Academy and K12’s National Center of Excellence, students engaged in employer-led projects, hands-on micro-internships, and mentorship experiences that introduced them to in-demand skills and future career pathways. These programs connect virtual classrooms with industry, giving students early exposure, practical experience, and the confidence to take their next steps beyond graduation.

FuturePath launch: Bridging the gap between education and industry.

The launch of FuturePath marked a significant milestone for Riipen, as we introduced our first co-investment model, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program. This approach shares project costs with employers, making it easier for organizations to offer paid, career-aligned opportunities for learners. FuturePath gives Canadian employers access to career-ready learners through paid, short-term projects, enabling them to tap into skilled, diverse talent while providing learners with real-world experience. This program is a win-win: employers gain the talent they need, and learners develop the skills and professional networks they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

Measuring impact: Real results, tangible outcomes.

Riipen’s efforts delivered measurable outcomes that demonstrate the real-world impact we’re making. Learners gained hands-on experience, boosting their confidence and career prospects, while contributing to meaningful projects and expanding their professional networks. These results reflect our shared commitment to creating lasting change.

Our platform continues to drive tangible results for employers. 85% of employers were small businesses, with many seeking fresh ideas from learners. 55% of employers reported a direct (positive) financial impact from their engagement with learners, and 25% extended job offers to learners following their project work, demonstrating a strong link between education and employment.

Employers also benefited in non-financial ways, with 76% of employers reporting an increase in their mentorship skills. However, challenges remain. 80% of employers who did not hire learners indicated that wage subsidies would have enabled them to hire, underscoring the importance of funding in creating more opportunities for learners.

These metrics reflect the growing recognition of Riipen’s platform as a vital talent pipeline and a valuable resource for businesses of all sizes.

Sharing ideas that shape the future.

Riipen continued to lead the conversation on the future of work-based learning and education innovation through a series of impactful webinars and conferences. These events provided a platform for educators, employers, and thought leaders to come together, discuss key trends, and share best practices for building a more equitable, accessible workforce.

Our webinars brought together industry experts and innovators to explore the future of experiential learning. Topics such as scalable project-based learning, course-level strategies for work-based learning, and connecting educators with industry partners sparked valuable discussions on how to align education with the evolving needs of the workforce. Through these sessions, Riipen reinforced its role as a thought leader, sharing actionable insights and inspiring educators and employers to rethink their approach to engaging with learning and talent development.

In addition to webinars, Riipen’s presence at over 30 conferences and events across North America enabled us to directly engage with key stakeholders, build new partnerships, and advocate for the future of work-based learning. From SXSW EDU to Complete College America, Riipen participated in high-level discussions on advancing equity in education, improving workforce readiness, and creating pathways to employment for underrepresented learners.

These events provided Riipen with the opportunity to connect with academic leaders, employers, and policymakers, strengthening our commitment to creating meaningful impact in the education sector.

Platform enhancements: Leading with innovation.

We introduced several key platform enhancements designed to improve the user experience for educators, employers, and learners. Our commitment to innovation was reflected in the new features that streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and make work-based learning more accessible and impactful.

One of the standout enhancements was the AI-powered summaries and flagging feature. This tool saves educators valuable time by automatically generating summaries of survey responses and conversations and creating flags based on the sentiment identified within them. With the ability to identify potential issues early, educators can provide timely support, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

We also introduced the team tracker, which provides real-time visibility into the progress of learner teams. This feature enables educators to more easily monitor team dynamics, track milestones, and ensure projects stay on schedule. By offering a centralized view of learner work, the team tracker enables educators to provide targeted feedback and support when needed, ultimately enhancing the quality of learning experiences.

For employers, we introduced an invoice payment system that streamlines the process of handling payments for learner projects. With both fixed-rate and hourly pay options, employers now have the flexibility to compensate learners based on the scope of their projects. This feature also supports seamless payments through Stripe, ensuring that both employers and learners can focus on what matters most—collaborating on meaningful projects.

These platform enhancements represent Riipen’s ongoing commitment to providing a cutting-edge solution for work-based learning. As we continue to innovate, we’re building a future where educators, employers, and learners can collaborate seamlessly and efficiently, driving even more impactful learning experiences for all.

For a closer look at these enhancements and other recent updates, visit our Help Center.

Annual Impact Report: Showcasing progress and impact.

We proudly published our second Annual Impact Report, reflecting the collective progress of Riipen’s work in 2024. The report highlights how learners, educators, employers, and partners advanced career pathways, expanded access to meaningful opportunities, and demonstrated the power of collaboration to support employment outcomes. 

As we reflect on an exciting and impactful year, we’re excited to continue our journey of expanding opportunities, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of work-based learning. The strides we’ve made this year are just the beginning. Guided by the lessons of 2025, we’re poised to achieve even greater outcomes in 2026 and beyond.

Pre-register now for Riipen’s 2025 Annual Impact Report, and be the first to access the full insights, outcomes, and milestones delivered to our partners. This report will provide a deeper dive into the data, stories, and impact of our programs, partnerships, and innovations.

Here’s to what we’ll accomplish together in 2026—and beyond.

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