Our Workforce Development Partners

Level UP

The Level UP program is designed to empower student talent from top schools across Canada to through fully subsidized, 60-hour remote internships that bridges the gap between learning and work. Registered Canadian businesses and non profits get access to skilled talent and students are paid a $1400 stipend that is funded by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program.

Advance Ontario

The Advance Ontario program connects underserved Ontario students with local employers for remote, paid work experiences. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges & Universities, the program helps students build skills while completing employer-led projects on the Riipen platform. These 2-8 week internships involve 60 hours of work, allowing students to earn $1,400 while gaining experience in high-paying industries and connecting with potential employers across Ontario.

ICT Ignite

Lighthouse Labs and Riipen have partnered to accelerate pathways into Canada’s booming tech sector. This partnership connects aspiring tech professionals with hands-on, employer-led projects, equipping them with in-demand skills and real-world experience for today’s dynamic job market. By fostering inclusivity and opportunity, Lighthouse Labs and Riipen are building a talent pipeline that supports a thriving, diverse tech ecosystem while preparing participants to succeed in the evolving digital economy.

EPIC

ICTC Beyond the Cloud

ICTC Beyond the Cloud is a program built by ICTC (Information and Communications Technology Council) to develop job-ready workers through training and remote employer-led projects. Riipen is empowering Canadian employers to drive the growth of the digital technology sector through digital infrastructure internships. Employers can access skilled professionals at no cost, including database administrators, network administrators, cloud engineers, cloud architects, cloud administrators, DevOps specialists, and back-end developers. This initiative provides the support employers need to enhance their digital infrastructure and expand their teams.

Ascent UP

The AscentUP program equips Ascent borrowers with the skills and confidence through targeted professional development and personalized 1-on-1 coaching. The program is designed to ensure that learners are ready to succeed in any work environment. The Ascent UP program aligns closely with relevant, real business projects, providing organizations with candidates who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the organization and to grow within their careers.

Learn more about Ascent UP

Council of Independent Colleges

Riipen has partnered with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Work-Based Learning (WBL) Consortium, a national initiative to integrate work-based learning into the curriculum of small and midsized independent colleges. This program is designed to benefit students at 25 member institutions by helping them gain real-world experience, develop valuable skills, and build professional connections through employer-designed projects embedded in courses. This multi-year collaboration creates more equitable opportunities, preparing students for future career success.

Learn more about CIC here.

RBC Future Launch

RBC and Riipen’s REACH UP program, part of the renewed RBC Future Launch partnership, aims to increase access to high-impact authentic work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for Canadian post-secondary students. Building on a successful collaboration, the program increases access to employer-led projects, particularly for underserved communities. Since 2019, RBC and Riipen have delivered over 27,000 WIL experiences, empowering students to develop skills, boost employability, and prepare for the future of work.

Tech Talent Boost Washington

The Tech Talent Boost Washington (TTBW) program, in partnership with North Seattle College and powered by Riipen, connects Washington-based employers with emerging tech talent through fully-subsidized, 40-hour digital tech projects. Employers can collaborate with interns in web/app development, cloud computing, and data analytics, testing potential hires at no cost. Participants gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship, and have a direct path to job placement, while employers expand their talent pool and access specialized skills for their digital projects.

Diverse Tech Talent Program

The Diverse Tech Talent Program (DTTP), a collaboration between World Innovation League (WIL), Atila, Co.Lab, Riipen, and Skillhat, is designed to address the underrepresentation of Black Canadians and newcomers in tech. The program offers specialized training, mentorship, and work experience, empowering participants aged 18-35 to build successful careers. For employers, DTTP provides access to diverse, skilled talent, helping bridge the representation gap while supporting the growth of a more inclusive tech industry.

ECO Canada

ECO Canada has partnered with Riipen to provide pathways into Canada’s environmental sector through hands-on, employer-led projects. This collaboration offers aspiring eco-professionals valuable work experience and in-demand skills in areas like sustainability, research, policy, and conservation. The Pathways to Environmental Careers program provides accessible internships, supporting a more inclusive and thriving environmental workforce while helping participants align their skills and career goals with real-world projects in the environmental sector.

Colorado Community College System

The Impact Projects program, in partnership with Colorado Community College System’s (CCCS) Rapid IT Training and Employment Initiative (RITEI) and Riipen, connects Denver-area employers with top tech talent. Employers can post data analytics and IT support projects, which are completed by learners, gaining hands-on experience and skills. These 40-hour, fully-subsidized projects allow employers to access skilled talent while providing learners valuable work experience in real-world tech environments.

CAEL

Riipen and CAEL have partnered on the Where It Starts: Build Better Careers initiative to redefine career pathways through subsidized work-based learning partnerships in the financial services sector. By engaging industry leaders, workforce development organizations, and higher education institutions, this collaboration creates equitable opportunities for adult learners, particularly women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) individuals. Together, Riipen and CAEL aim to foster diversity, strengthen inclusion, and empower learners to achieve meaningful employment and economic mobility.

Complete College America

Complete College America (CCA) and Riipen have partnered to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) education with work-based learning in higher education. This initiative brings together five open-access institutions to equip students with AI skills and real-world experience, preparing them for the evolving workforce. By offering employer-integrated, project-based learning, the program ensures equitable access to experiential opportunities, helping students gain the skills needed to succeed in AI-driven industries and boost economic mobility.

Achēv: Innovations in FinTech

Achēv, a top provider of employment and settlement services in the GTA, has partnered with Riipen to help internationally trained fintech professionals break into Canada’s growing fintech sector. This 12-week program involves 450 hours of employer-led projects, providing participants with hands-on experience and the chance to build in-demand skills. It fosters direct collaboration between participants and employers, creating pathways for career success in this dynamic field.

JVS

The BUILD program connects Canadian employers with top architecture and design talent through 200-hour, fully-subsidized projects. BUILD learners, trained in architectural design and construction management, are ready to tackle your business challenges. Employers can delegate tasks to these skilled learners at no cost, benefiting from remote mentorship and the opportunity to test drive talent. Post your projects today and collaborate with the next generation of architects to enhance your business.

Level UP

Empowering student talent from top schools across Canada to match with paid short-term, remote projects from thousands of diverse employers. Let's bridge learning and work.

Advance Ontario

A fully remote internship program in collaboration with the Ministry of Colleges & Universities, beginning in September 2023. This program will help underserved Ontario students build skills and earn paid work experience while completing employer-led projects on the Riipen platform alongside a supportive community of their peers.

Ascent UP

The AscentUP program focuses on equipping individuals with the necessary skills and professionalism to excel from day one. Through targeted, professional development training and dedicated 1-on-1 coaching, we ensure our learners are not just ready but are adept at engaging in any professional environment.

At AscentUP, we combine career development resources with personalized coaching to enhance our students' professional capabilities. This approach aligns closely with your projects, providing you with candidates who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to your organization and to grow within their careers.

Learn more about Ascent UP

ICT Ignite

Lighthouse Labs and the Government of Canada in partnership with post-secondary, community, and industry partners have come together to provide an opportunity for 1,700 Canadians to shape a better future for themselves and their families — at no cost.

Based on these criteria, you may be eligible to attend a retraining program to learn in-demand digital skills, and benefit from a series of essential skills-development workshops and events with employers to help you navigate the job market, and even support services to jump start your journey.

EPIC

Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and is made possible by the generous support of American Student Assistance (ASA) and the Walton Family Foundation. EPIC provides learners and workers with access to authentic, employer-sponsored project-based learning through a network of business associations and other challenge providers. EPIC provides employers as well as education and workforce development partners with a standardized platform to scale and credential employer-sponsored challenges that support career awareness, exploration, and development. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is working with its national network of business associations and employers to make authentic project-based learning available at scale.

Eco Pathways

The Environmental Employability Pathways (EEP) program is part of the government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program aims to help youth who have faced barriers navigate through the labour market and develop skills to transition into sustained employment successfully.

CIC

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is the major national organization that focuses on services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC and Riipen have joined forces in a multi-year project to benefit 25 member institutions.This collaboration aims to integrate work-based learning opportunities into up to 375 courses led by 125 faculty members and impacting up to 11,250 students.

ICTC Beyond the Cloud

Empowering Canadian employers to help drive the development of the digital technology sector with 4-week digital infrastructure internships from July to August 2024. Tap into 40-75 hours of highly skilled professionals at no cost and get the help you need from database administrators, network administrators, cloud engineers, cloud architects, cloud administrators, dev ops, and back end developers.

Tech Talent Boost

Unlock 40-hour, fully-subsidized, digital tech interns, specialized in web/app development, cloud computing and data analytics for your Washington business, building and nurturing your tech talent pipeline.

Diverse Tech Talent Program

DTTP is a unique program designed to address a critical issue in the tech industry: the underrepresentation of Black Canadians and newcomers aged 18-35. With a focus on diversity and innovation, DTTP is poised to shape the future of tech.

DTTP participants complete specialized skills training, received mentorship, and have participated in an innovation hackathon. The final phase of their certificate connects tech talent with forward-thinking employers to gain practical experience in the industry.

Impact Projects

Unlock 40-hour, fully-subsidized projects for Denver area employers, building and nurturing their tech talent pipeline.Impact Projects learners have successfully completed IT and data training and are ready to tackle your tech projects.

BUILD

BUILD learners have successfully completed an intensive architectural design and construction management program and are ready to tackle your projects.

Complete College America

Complete College America (CCA) and Riipen are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking initiative that aims to revolutionize higher education by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) education and work-based learning into curricula.5 visionary open-access institutions will to join this transformative consortium and collaborate to equip students with cutting-edge AI skills and real-world experience, preparing them for the rapidly evolving workforce of tomorrow.