Portage College enters an exciting new partnership with Riipen.

October 3, 2024, Lac La Biche, AB — Portage College is pleased to be partnering with Riipen and their Level UP program, a unique initiative that provides an opportunity for students and employers to collaborate by matching students with paid short-term, remote projects from a variety of employers.

Riipen is the world's leading project-based learning platform that empowers every student with employability skills. The platform, which connects students, educators, and organizations through real-world industry experiences, has been instrumental in bridging the gap between learning and employment for Canadian students and employers. Riipen developed Level UP as a part of its mission to provide practical learning experiences for students.

Each Level UP project takes 60 hours to complete, with students able to complete three projects, adding up to 180 hours of hands-on experience. Students and employers collaborate to set a 2-8 week timeline, working with students to accommodate class and work schedules. The Level UP projects give students a fantastic opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world situations and gain valuable skills.

The Level UP program gives students the opportunity to work with various external organizations, broadening their industry knowledge and preparedness. This collaboration will allow students to gain practicum hours while earning an income. With funding from the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program, students are paid a $1,400 stipend for each project.

"Partnering with Riipen through the Level UP program is another step forward in Portage College's commitment to enhancing student employability. This initiative provides our students with invaluable employment experience while also bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application. By engaging with a diverse range of employers, our students will have the opportunity to gain critical skills and industry knowledge, setting them up for career success,” said Don Moore, Dean of University Studies.

“At Riipen, we are committed to ensuring every student has access to meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that build critical employability skills. Our partnership with Portage College through the Level UP program exemplifies this commitment by bridging the gap between education and employment”, said Dana Stephenson, Co-Founder and CEO of Riipen. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to break down geographical barriers and foster community, innovation, and economic development in rural regions. By collaborating with a diverse array of employers, we’re empowering students to unlock their full potential and make a significant impact in their future careers. We are excited to see the growth and success that comes from this partnership, both for the students and the organizations involved.”

To make sure they get the most out of their projects, students will also complete surveys on the Riipen platform. These will provide critical feedback and help them reflect on their growth.

The Work Integrated Learning staff from across our campuses look forward to seeing this program's positive impact on our students.

About Riipen

Riipen is the world’s leading online work-based learning platform and ecosystem, aiming to end underemployment and close the skills gap. Riipen partners with governments, colleges, universities, and short-cycle training providers to provide authentic, accessible online training for employment-focused skills and technical/professional proficiency. Riipen has successfully and proudly implemented 13.3 million hours of learning hours through over 217,000 learning experiences with more than 35,000 employers and 640 academic partnerships, portals, and training providers in 9 countries, in both English and French. Learn more at www.riipen.com.

For more information on the Work-Integrated Leaning Initiatives visit the website below: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/innovative-work-integrated-learning/students.html

Media Inquiries:

Portage College

Corporate Communications Department

780-623-6671 or email 

Riipen

Carly Coughlin, Project Manager

Email: carly.coughlin@riipen.com