University College of the North (UCN) has partnered with Riipen, the world's largest online work-integrated learning (WIL) marketplace. This partnership will bring accessible WIL experiences into the curriculum for Manitoba students. UCN was selected as one of 30 post-secondary institutions to receive funding from RBC Future Launch.
"Riipen has enhanced accessibility by creating opportunities for UCN students to apply classroom learning to real projects," said Krystle Paskaruk, Career and Work-Integrated Learning Coordinator. "This allows them to combine work and education while supporting both local and international organizations."
Riipen's marketplace platform matches courses submitted by professors with projects submitted by Riipen's vetted network of 19,000 employers, including small businesses and non-profits. Throughout the Riipen project, employers will provide UCN students with professional feedback and insights on the real-world application of their knowledge. Students can offer employers their expertise and ideas on various subjects such as marketing, business planning, and IT while earning course credits.
"Canada's future workforce is graduating into an economy still in recovery, and it is our mission to support these students in their transition from learning to work. Over 90% of students on Riipen report feeling a positive impact on their employability in areas such as career readiness, professionalism and critical thinking," said Dana Stephenson, CEO of Riipen. "We are excited to partner with University College of the North to deliver even more experiences this year with funding from RBC Future Launch."
By the end of this year, the Riipen and RBC Future Launch partnership will have delivered 27,000 flexible and scalable curriculum-embedded short-term work-integrated learning experiences to learners across Canada. Learn more at riipen.com.
