Riipen

08/14/2026

📍 Stay informed on what’s shaping higher education, experiential learning, and the future of work with the new and improved Riipen Report.

🥑 From new initiatives and platform updates to insights from across our ecosystem, the newsletter highlights how real-world learning is evolving.

Read the latest edition here: https://hubs.li/Q04rR-2r0

👉 Subscribe now: https://hubs.li/Q04rRSKT0

08/11/2026

Students think they’re ready for work. Employers see a gap. And AI is making that gap more urgent.

As routine tasks shift, the skills that matter most are communication, judgment, critical thinking, professionalism, and responsible AI use.

Those skills are built through real work.

Riipen helps employers launch practical AI-ready projects while giving students the experience they need before graduation.

Ready to get started?

👉Employers: Take the AI Readiness Self-Assessment:
https://hubs.li/Q04sCBLW0
👉Academic teams: Book a meeting to explore AI-ready project pathways: https://hubs.li/Q04sCy8m0

08/11/2026

We’re grateful to have been part of the UERU 2026 Leadership Summit, hosted by Colorado State University, and to support the important work UERU is leading.

Riipen’s Jennifer Albrecht, SVP, Revenue & Partnerships, and Dr. Mara Woody, Director, Strategic Partnerships, joined higher education leaders in an important dialogue about bringing world readiness more explicitly into the undergraduate student experience.

One message came through clearly: leaders are looking for ideas that work and practical strategies to scale experiential learning to more students—and make those experiences visible across their institutions.

It’s a privilege to contribute to this conversation and connect around new ideas, resources, and possibilities for what comes next. We’re inspired by the momentum and excited to keep building alongside this community.

08/10/2026

📣 Calling all employers looking to leverage their business with AI, and students looking to stand out on their application—this one is for you.

Many organizations are investing in AI, but technology alone isn't enough. The real challenge is finding the expertise needed to turn AI potential into meaningful business progress.

Join us on August 11 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT for our live webinar, Reverse Mentorship — Why You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone. In it, you’ll explore how organizations can leverage emerging talent to accelerate AI initiatives and why students are uniquely positioned to contribute.

Whether you're preparing your organization for the future or building your own career, this webinar offers practical insights you won't want to miss.

Seats are filling up. Reserve yours while you still can:
https://hubs.li/Q04snMw50

08/10/2026

✨ Your Riipen project could be part of your career story.

When you share your experience, you’re reflecting on the skills you built, the challenges you worked through, and the experience you can take with you.

Selected stories will be featured by Riipen and could become something you share on LinkedIn, add to your portfolio, or use to show future employers what you worked on, learned, and gained.

👉 Submit your story here: https://hubs.li/Q04p_h4Z0

08/07/2026

Canada's workforce challenges won't be solved by education or industry working in isolation.

Last week, Riipen welcomed Annie Koutrakis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families, for a roundtable with learners, employers, post-secondary partners, and workforce leaders to discuss the future of work-integrated learning in Canada.

The conversation focused on a simple but important idea: the people closest to the education-to-employment journey should help shape the policies that define its future.

The discussion highlighted why youth employment and business productivity are deeply connected—and why expanding access to meaningful work-integrated learning is critical for both.

From learners sharing how project-based experiences built their confidence and career clarity, to employers explaining how flexible talent helped them grow, the message was consistent: investing in human infrastructure is investing in Canada's future.

The conversation also explored opportunities to strengthen Canada's work-integrated learning ecosystem through:
✅ Shared workforce infrastructure that connects learners, employers, institutions, and government.
✅ Long-term, predictable investment in proven programs that are already delivering impact.

Read the full recap to see what was discussed, what recommendations were shared, and why these conversations matter for Canada's workforce of tomorrow. https://hubs.li/Q04sdYwp0

On July 28, learners, employers, and workforce leaders gathered at VentureLabs in Vancouver to discuss how Canada can better connect education, experience, and employment.

08/06/2026

🇨🇦 Canadian students—want to earn $600 while building real-world experience? 💰

Expressions of interest are now open for the November Riipen Labs cohort.

We've been blown away by the response to Riipen Labs, and our September cohort is already full! 🎉 If Riipen Labs has been on your radar, now's the time to express your interest for November.

With Riipen Labs, you'll:
💼 Work on a real project with a real employer.
📚 Apply what you're learning outside the classroom.
💰 Earn $600 for completing 30 hours of work.

👉 Interested in joining the November cohort? Express your interest today: https://hubs.li/Q04qRkbJ0



This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative.

08/05/2026

AI-readiness is not just an employer challenge. 🤖

It is a workforce readiness challenge.

Employers need safe, practical ways to explore AI.

Academic institutions need scalable ways to prepare students for AI-shaped work.

Students need real projects that allow them to practice judgment, communication, and responsible AI use.

One well-scoped project can support all three.

💼 Employers, find your AI readiness score: https://hubs.li/Q04rYV2j0

🎓 Academic teams, let’s talk about AI-ready project pathways: https://hubs.li/Q04rY-vv0

08/04/2026

Reverse Mentorship — Why You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone.

AI is changing how organizations work, but many teams are still asking the same question: Where do we find the expertise to move AI initiatives forward? 🤔

Join us on August 11 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT for a live webinar exploring how organizations can tap into emerging talent, rethink where AI expertise comes from, and create meaningful opportunities that benefit both employers and students.

🎓 Students will discover how developing practical AI skills builds stronger resumes and stands out to future employers. 💼Employers will learn how to accelerate AI adoption through new approaches to learning and collaboration.

Whether you're looking to advance your organization's AI journey or gain experience that prepares you for the future of work, this webinar will provide practical insights you can apply immediately.

📌 Register today and secure your spot: https://hubs.li/Q04rsZXv0