Discover our latest initiatives, partnerships, platform updates, news & insights, and inspiring stories from our community.

Learn better. Work better.

Help secure the future of Canadian students, communities, and businesses.

Too many students graduate into underemployment, while businesses struggle to find the skilled talent they need. Supporting I-WIL (innovative work-integrated learning initiatives) funding can change that.

By securing long-term funding, we can ensure more students get paid, real-world experience, businesses have access to the talent they need, and communities thrive with stronger local workforces.

We need your help to make this happen.
As of today, 2,586 individuals have already joined this critical cause, and with your support, we can reach even more people. Together, we can encourage the Canadian government to commit to sustainable I-WIL funding, creating more opportunities for students and businesses alike.

Join us and be part of the change that will shape the future of Canadian students, businesses, and communities.

Shaping futures: WBL news & insights.

Exploring the latest stories, trends, and ideas shaping the future of experiential learning.

Florida National University (FNU) has announced its partnership with Riipen to bring real-world employer projects into its business education.

This collaboration will provide FNU's nearly 500 students with flexible, work-based learning opportunities, enhancing their career readiness and addressing the need for skilled talent in high-demand industries.

By embedding employer-led projects into FNU’s business curriculum, this partnership gives students the chance to tackle industry challenges, gain practical experience, and support local business innovation.

Riipen's Co-Founder and CEO, Dana Stephenson, explores work-based learning (WBL) in an op-ed for University Business.

He highlights the importance of expanding WBL beyond traditional internships to include flexible, scalable models like micro-internships and project-based collaborations.

Dana emphasizes the need for shared definitions and stronger collaboration between academia and industry to ensure experiential learning becomes a standard part of every student’s journey, preparing them for future workforce success.

Journeys in motion.

Following learners,  educators, and employers as they grow through real-world experience.

Through Riipen, University of Toronto student Brandan Quach partnered with Integria Consulting President Samantha Bateman to strengthen the company’s SEO and digital marketing strategies.

This collaboration provided Brandan with hands-on experience, boosted his confidence, and helped Integria enhance its online presence.

Brandan also developed a meaningful mentor relationship, showcasing the power of real-world learning.

Ama Ackom-Mensah, a software engineering graduate from London Metropolitan University, partnered with the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing through Riipen to streamline their data management systems.

By consolidating and automating their databases, Ama significantly improved the nonprofit's outreach and fundraising capabilities, while gaining valuable project management, technical, and problem-solving experience in a real-world setting.

Real stories, real impact: Hear from our community.

Celebrating the individuals—educators, employers, and learners—driving success through work-based learning experiences.

Meet Arunim Garg, Lecturer in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at Acsenda School of Management.

In his Business Strategy course, Arunim connects students with local businesses to tackle real-world challenges. Students develop strategic solutions, gaining hands-on experience in market analysis, competitive strategy, and business development.

This approach helps students build confidence, enhance critical thinking, and gain the skills needed to succeed in today’s business world.

Meet Dr. Julie Stewart, Dean of Workforce and Industry Engagement at the Community College of Aurora.

In her Business Law course, Dr. Stewart connects students with industry partners to work on real-world projects. Students collaborate on tasks such as market research, legal assessments, and economic forecasting, gaining hands-on experience in the business law field.

By engaging in these real-world challenges, students build confidence, sharpen critical thinking, and gain the skills needed for success.

Enhancing your experience: Platform updates.

Discover some of our latest improvements and enhancements designed to help you get the most out of Riipen.

Guest AI project generation. 

Employers can generate projects as guests on our website, making it easier for new employers to quickly create and configure projects.

Improved match request notifications.

Educators now receive messages for expiring match requests, with instructions to extend or reinitiate connections, ensuring no opportunities are missed.

Advanced student search.

Employers can search for students by skills and experience through their profile bios, making it easier to find the perfect match for projects.

Need support? Explore our Help Center to get the most out of these updates and find everything you need to make your Riipen experience a success.

Where homework meets real work.

272K+

work-based learning experiences

44K+

vetted network of employers

700+

 postsecondary institutions

18.4M+

hours of applied learning