Start building real-world experience with Riipen.

Students are asking the same questions.

How can experience be gained before graduating? What opportunities are flexible enough to fit alongside studies? Which programs are actually worth the time and effort?

These are valid questions and Riipen is the answer.

Riipen is where students go to gain real-world experience, build in-demand skills, and grow their confidence by working on real projects with real employers.

For many students, that journey starts with Riipen Labs.

This article brings together what students need to know about getting started on Riipen, beginning with Riipen Labs. It’s informed directly by learners who have gone through the experience, with insights gathered by Riipen’s student Brand Ambassadors across campuses.

The goal is simple: to provide a clear, honest view of how Riipen helps students build experience, starting with Riipen Labs and continuing beyond.

What is Riipen Labs?

Riipen Labs is the starting point for students beginning their journey on Riipen.

It offers short, guided projects with real employers, designed to help learners apply their skills, gain hands-on experience, and build confidence early. Each project takes 30 hours to complete and includes a $600 stipend. No prior experience is required.

By completing a Riipen Lab, learners earn a certification that demonstrates key workplace skills employers value: communication, teamwork, critical thinking, professionalism, and career development.

It’s a first proof point. A way to show what you can do, not just what you’ve studied.

Why Ripen Labs matters for students.

Many students are looking for ways to gain experience before graduating while balancing coursework, part-time jobs, and personal commitments.

Riipen is designed with this in mind.

Through flexible, structured, real-world projects, students work directly with employers, collaborate with peers, and contribute to meaningful work. This is where academic learning turns into applied skills and where confidence starts to grow.

Riipen Labs is just the beginning.

After completing a Lab, students can continue building experience through programs like Level UP and FuturePath, progressing into longer, more advanced projects that deepen skills and strengthen career readiness.

Built with students, for students.

We’re on the ground talking directly with students.

Through the Brand Ambassador program, students across Canada have worked on their own campuses to connect with peers, share their experiences, and answer questions about the program. These ambassadors have provided valuable insight into what learners are looking for, what concerns them, and what helps them take the next step.

Meet the Riipen Labs Brand Ambassadors:

• Niki Do, The University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Rebecca Korceba, MacEwan University
• Brandan Quach, University of Toronto Mississauga
• Sally Abdulwahhab, Seneca Polytechnic
• Dasha Guliak, University of Saskatchewan
• Michael Jones, McMaster University
• Nelson Phan, Queen’s University
• Sazarina Azamyar, Carleton University
• Mohammad Moaaz Chaudhry, York University

Because these conversations happened directly with students, Riipen has a clear understanding of the most common questions and how to answer them.

Is Ripen Labs too good to be true?

No. Riipen Labs is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative. This funding helps provide the $600 stipend while learners gain experience. There is no catch.

How flexible is this with my studies?

Riipen Labs is designed to fit alongside academic commitments. Learners work on 30-hour projects that can be completed on their own schedule. There are no excessive meetings or rigid timelines beyond clear deliverables. The focus is on making meaningful progress while maintaining flexibility.

“Riipen projects are more flexible and focused on short-term, real-world problem solving compared to traditional internships or co-op programs. Instead of working in a fixed role over a long period, you work on a specific project with clear deliverables and timelines. This makes it easier to apply academic learning directly, gain practical experience quickly, and build confidence without the long-term commitment of a full internship.”
— Idil Mohamed, Riipen Labs student

The work is remote and collaborative, allowing learners to work with peers from different fields of study.

“My project allowed me to work closely with people from diverse academic backgrounds, which is not something I usually have the opportunity to do. Collaborating with teammates who brought differing perspectives helped me understand how varied experiences contribute to stronger problem-solving.” — Rui Xin Li, Riipen Labs student

What is the project experience like?

Getting started is straightforward. After indicating interest, learners do not need to create an account immediately. If selected, they receive an invitation with guidance on how to access the platform, explore available projects, and apply to those that align with their interests.

Once matched with an employer, learners begin working on the project. Employers define expectations, timelines, and check-ins to ensure clarity from the start.

More details can be found on the Riipen Labs Help Center.

What if there are no projects related to my field?

Riipen Labs offers opportunities across a wide range of industries and disciplines.

“I would like to become a software developer. Riipen's platform has helped me work on projects to become significantly more employable and has helped me earn my current role as a Junior Data Science Analyst.”
— Umair Butt, Riipen Labs student

While some projects align closely with specific fields, others provide broader exposure. This can be a strength. Working on projects outside of a primary area of study allows learners to develop transferable skills, collaborate across disciplines, and explore new career possibilities.

“This internship was a career-changing experience that pushed me beyond my comfort zone by combining holistic nutrition education with digital content creation and coding. Learning unfamiliar technologies in a remote environment challenged me at first, but through persistence and self-directed learning, I gained confidence and valuable technical skills. This experience reshaped how I see my career path, showing me that I can succeed in interdisciplinary roles that blend communication, technology, and education. It strengthened my confidence and motivated me to approach future opportunities with curiosity and resilience.”
— Anonymous student

Every project is an opportunity to learn something new.

A clear starting point for building experience.

Riipen Labs offers a practical, accessible way to begin building real-world experience.

It provides structure without rigidity, support without complexity, and meaningful work that reflects what employers are looking for. Through direct collaboration with students and ongoing feedback, the program continues to evolve in ways that reflect real learner needs.

For those looking to take the first step, Riipen Labs offers a clear path forward.

Indicate your interest and begin building experience that connects learning to future career opportunities.

Learn more about the student journey with Riipen now.

The ideas, views, and opinions in this publication belong to the author(s). They may not reflect those of the Government of Canada.

This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program.

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About the author:

Jasmine Roberts leads the content team at Riipen as the Senior Manager of Brand and Content Marketing. With a passion for writing, Jasmine has written for over 10 Canadian publications, including ELLE Canada, Collider, Later, and more. With a love of education and higher learning, Jasmine is proud of the work Riipen does to help learners gain real-world experience to prepare for their careers.

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