Budget 2025: A win for work-integrated learning (Riipen statement).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, B.C.-- NOVEMBER 5, 2024 — Riipen, the leading project-based learning platform for higher education, workforce development, and training providers, gratefully acknowledges the Government of Canada’s multi-year funding commitment for existing youth employment initiatives as a key part of Budget 2025.

‘This is an encouraging step and a testament to the power of work-integrated learning to connect Canada’s postsecondary talent with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in all corners of the country. We look forward to further collaboration with the Government of Canada.’ Dana Stephenson, CEO & Co-Founder

The extension of the Innovative Work Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Program will allow Riipen to connect ever more SMEs and postsecondary youth through paid, impactful work experiences, delivering a dual-impact solution - upskilling its learners while also delivering employment and innovation results for participating businesses.

Since 2021, Riipen Level UP and FuturePath programs, funded in part by the Government of Canada, have delivered over 36,000 ongoing and paid student experiences nationally. The impact on participating SMEs has been significant. 78% of employers report increases in business efficiency and productivity, and 91% of employers indicate that they plan to or already use programs like Level UP when making hiring decisions. 

Level UP work placements drive transformational impact for students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds (comprising nearly 70% of the participants). By connecting directly with SMEs on real-world business challenges, students experience career acceleration (89% report significant increases in workforce readiness) and gain the critical technical and durable skills employers are seeking. 

Riipen’s FuturePath co-investment model – which allows SMEs to secure top, highly curated talent at 50% of stipend cost – is helping to redefine government funding mechanisms, enabling the Government of Canada to spend less and invest more. 

Riipen is honoured to play a key role in this vital work, advancing impact-focused initiatives that highlight the importance of work-integrated learning and mobilize government and corporate investment to build a stronger, more inclusive Canadian economy.

About Riipen

Conceptualized in 2013, Riipen, the Leading Project-Based Learning (PBL) Platform, is on a mission to end underemployment and close the skills gap. Partnering with higher education,  workforce development agencies, and training providers from around the world, their technology connects demand and supply sides of the labour market through clearly scoped, measurable, and outcomes-based projects. With a marketplace of over 700 higher education and training providers, 44,000 employers, and more than 272,000 completed work experiences to date, it is Canada’s Talent Marketplace, connecting coast to coast.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Caroline Konrad

VP Canadian Ecosystem

caroline.konrad@riipen.com

416-399-8735

‍