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Level UP January 2026 Cohort
This innovative program connects employers like you with post-secondary students for short-term, impactful projects. Here's what you need to know to get started: Key details about this Level UP cohort Projects and timelines. - Each project is 60 hours per student - Each project is limited to 3 students - Students will apply to projects between January 5 - January 16. They can have 4 active applications at a time. Once an employer accepts their application, that is the project they will complete. - This cohort's projects start by January 19, 2026 Engagement and mentorship. - As a project host, you provide at least 5 hours of mentorship, which includes the kickoff call, instructions, feedback, and support. Flexibility and funding. - Projects are open to students at all levels of post-secondary education. Be clear about your project's requirements and scope to attract the right talent. - You can host one project, and up to three students can work on it individually. - Riipen pays students $1,400 CAD for successfully completing each project. Making your project appealing. To attract students, provide a clear and concise project description. Highlight the level of experience required and outline the scope of work effectively. A well-defined project increases your chances of having students self-assign promptly. For further details, visit our Level UP Knowledge Centre. If you have questions, click the avocado icon in the bottom-right corner of your Riipen dashboard to contact support—we’ll respond within two business days.
LevelUP x FuturePath Cohort
Welcome to Level UP x FuturePath! Riipen FuturePath connects you with career-ready students for impactful short-term projects that could lead to full-time hires. These students are eager and ready to showcase their skills and are available for full-time roles if they’re a good fit for your team. In connection with Level UP, the FuturePath program provides you access to talent for longer term projects, and without the perimeters of Level UP! FuturePath requires employer co-investment, with 50% of student payments provided by the employer. Beyond that, there are no volume limits - you can access this 50% subsidy for as many students (or repeat engagements with the same student) as you wish, for up to 300 hours per student! Here’s what you need to know to get started with this cohort: Key Program Details Project Format & Timelines Each project involves 10 - 300 hours of student work per student. Project hours can be extended with individual learners if the project scope is increased. Employers can work with as many students as they require on each project Students can apply to up to five projects before November 21, 2025 . Once accepted, they are committed to that specific project. Learners propose the project dates at the time of matching; the employer can accept or decline those dates. Projects are recommended to be scheduled for a duration between 2 to 12 weeks . For this cohort: Start dates must start by November 28, 2025 End dates must end by February 6, 2025 Your Role as a Project Host You're more than just an employer—you’re a mentor. As a host, you’ll provide at least 5 hours of mentorship, which includes: A kickoff meeting Clear guidance and expectations Ongoing check-ins and feedback Your support ensures students stay on track and feel confident in their contributions. Funding & Flexibility Open to students who are deemed eligible in the program application process. Projects should be clearly scoped to attract the right talent. A deposit is taken upon accepting each student to your project, of 50% of the total cost of the project, up to $750.00. This deposit will be refunded to you upon completion of the project and payment of the final invoice. Total compensation varies per project, but is based on a $23.34/hour wage. Invoices are triggered every 15 hours logged into the worklog. Payment is co-funded: for each invoice 50% is covered by Riipen, and 50% (plus applicable taxes and fees) is contributed by the employer. For example, for a 60-hour project students are paid $1400.40, payable in four $350.10 invoices every 15 hours throughout the project. On each invoice the employer pays $175.05 (plus taxes and fees). Attracting the Right Students To make your project more appealing: Use a clear, compelling title Outline goals, deliverables, and required skills Keep your project scope focused and realistic A well-defined project attracts stronger applications, faster. For more info, visit the FuturePath Knowledge Centre . Need help? Click the avocado icon in the bottom-right corner of any Riipen page—we’ll respond within two business days.
Level UP October 2025 Cohort
This innovative program connects employers like you with post-secondary students for short-term, impactful projects. Here's what you need to know to get started: Key details about this Level UP cohort Projects and timelines. - Each project is 60 hours per student - Each project is limited to 3 students - Students will apply to projects between October 14-24. They can have 4 active applications at a time. Once an employer accepts their application, that is the project they will complete. - This cohort's projects start by October 27, 2025. Engagement and mentorship. - As a project host, you provide at least 5 hours of mentorship, which includes the kickoff call, instructions, feedback, and support. Flexibility and funding. - Projects are open to students at all levels of post-secondary education. Be clear about your project's requirements and scope to attract the right talent. - You can host one project, and up to two students can work on it individually. - Riipen pays students $1,400 CAD for successfully completing each project. Making your project appealing. To attract students, provide a clear and concise project description. Highlight the level of experience required and outline the scope of work effectively. A well-defined project increases your chances of having students self-assign promptly. For further details, visit our Level UP Knowledge Centre. If you have questions, click the avocado icon in the bottom-right corner of your Riipen dashboard to contact support—we’ll respond within two business days.
Level UP September 2025 Cohort
This innovative program connects employers like you with post-secondary students for short-term, impactful projects. Here's what you need to know to get started: Key details about this Level UP cohort Projects and timelines. - Each project is 60 hours per student - Each project is limited to 3 students - Students will apply to projects between September 8-19. They can have 4 active applications at a time. Once an employer accepts their application, that is the project they will complete. - This cohort's projects start by September 22, 2025. Engagement and mentorship. - As a project host, you provide at least 5 hours of mentorship, which includes the kickoff call, instructions, feedback, and support. Flexibility and funding. - Projects are open to students at all levels of post-secondary education. Be clear about your project's requirements and scope to attract the right talent. - You can host one project, and up to two students can work on it individually. - Riipen pays students $1,400 CAD for successfully completing each project. Making your project appealing. To attract students, provide a clear and concise project description. Highlight the level of experience required and outline the scope of work effectively. A well-defined project increases your chances of having students self-assign promptly. For further details, visit our Level UP Knowledge Centre. If you have questions, click the avocado icon in the bottom-right corner of your Riipen dashboard to contact support—we’ll respond within two business days.
McMaster Continuing Education Level UP: Fall 2025
Skilled, motivated students from McMaster Continuing Education ready to support your business. Level UP connects you with post-secondary students from across Canada who are eager to apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world challenges. These students are motivated, curious, and looking to grow. They bring fresh perspectives and emerging skills to your project. We’re currently looking for projects in the following categories: Marketing, digital marketing, business administration, human resources management, data analytics, accounting, and website development. Students work on 60-hour, short-term projects and are paid a $1,400 stipend directly by Riipen, thanks in part to the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program. This means there’s no cost to you. Level UP makes it easy to tackle meaningful tasks, test ideas, or explore new opportunities with the support of engaged, early-career talent—while helping the next generation of professionals grow. Project timeline: Request to match your project: September 2 - October 3, 2025 Program administrators will review all requests and let you know if changes are needed to set the project up for success. Students invited to join: October 6, 2025 Students apply to projects: October 6 - 17, 2025 Student will apply to projects. You must review applications and accept your team(s) during this period. Max project start date: October 27, 2025 Max project end date: December 29, 2025 For more program details, see our landing page for employers
Level UP July 2025 Cohort
This innovative program connects employers like you with post-secondary students for short-term, impactful projects. Here's what you need to know to get started: Key details about this Level UP cohort Projects and timelines. - Each project is 60 hours per student - Each project is limited to 2 students per project - Students will apply to projects between June 23 - July 4. They can have 3 active applications at a time. Once an employer accepts your application, that is the project they will complete. - This cohort's projects start by July 7 - August 29, 2025. Engagement and mentorship. - As a project host, you provide at least 5 hours of mentorship, which includes the kickoff call, instructions, feedback, and support. Flexibility and funding. - Projects are open to students at all levels of post-secondary education. Be clear about your project's requirements and scope to attract the right talent. - You can host three projects, and up to four students can work on it individually. - Riipen pays students $1,400 CAD for successfully completing each project. Making your project appealing. To attract students, provide a clear and concise project description. Highlight the level of experience required and outline the scope of work effectively. A well-defined project increases your chances of having students self-assign promptly. For further details, visit our Level UP Knowledge Centre . If you have questions, click the avocado icon in the bottom-right corner of your Riipen dashboard to contact support—we’ll respond within two business days.
McMaster Continuing Education Level UP: Summer 2025
Skilled, motivated students from McMaster Continuing Education ready to support your business. Level UP connects you with post-secondary students from across Canada who are eager to apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world challenges. These students are motivated, curious, and looking to grow. They bring fresh perspectives and emerging skills to your project. Students work on 60-hour, short-term projects and are paid a $1,400 stipend directly by Riipen, thanks in part to the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program. This means there’s no cost to you. Level UP makes it easy to tackle meaningful tasks, test ideas, or explore new opportunities with the support of engaged, early-career talent—while helping the next generation of professionals grow. Project timeline: Request to match your project: May 12 - June 6, 2025 Program administrators will review all requests and let you know if changes are needed to set the project up for success. Students invited to join: June 16, 2025 Students apply to projects: June 16 - June 27, 2025 Student will apply to projects. You must review applications and accept your team(s) during this period. Max project start date: July 7, 2025 Max project end date: August 29, 2025 For more program details, see our landing page for employers