Riipen FuturePath FAQs

What is Riipen FuturePath?

Riipen FuturePath gives businesses exclusive access to the next generation of skilled professionals while offering students the real-world experience they need to enter and thrive in the workforce and beyond. Through hands-on, high-impact projects, employers gain valuable insights and benefit from the skillsets students bring while students develop the expertise that sets them apart. It’s a win-win—innovate today, shape tomorrow.

What are the Terms and Conditions for the program?

The terms and conditions can be found on our dedicated pages for students and employers.

What makes Riipen FuturePath different from Level UP or Advance Ontario?

Riipen FuturePath stands out from programs like Level UP and Advance Ontario through its structured, employment-driven approach that bridges the gap between education and long-term career opportunities.

While Level UP and Advance Ontario primarily focus on short-term skill-building for students—particularly those in their early academic years—Riipen FuturePath is designed for students who are actively preparing to enter the workforce within the next one to two years. These students aren’t just building skills; they’re seeking meaningful, career-aligned experiences that connect them directly with employers’ talent pipelines.

Key Features of Riipen FuturePath:

The program collects more in-depth information from both students and employers, which results in better matches and supports its core goal: helping students move from the classroom to careers.

What makes Riipen FuturePath different from traditional internships?

Riipen FuturePath offers a faster, more impactful alternative to traditional internships. In just 60 hours, students complete projects with top employers, gaining hands-on experience and building a standout resume. Unlike traditional internships that often require months of commitment, FuturePath lets students gain valuable skills and make career connections in a fraction of the time.

How do I join Riipen FuturePath?

Here are some helpful guides to get started with Riipen FuturePath for students and for employers.

Am I eligible to participate in Riipen FuturePath?

Check your eligibility status on our landing pages for students and employers.

Why do I need to verify my identity?

Riipen FuturePath is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program. Since it is a government funded program, we need to adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the eligibility for payment as per our funding agreement. Learn more about student verification here, and employer verification here.

What is a cohort?

A cohort is a group of employers and students who join the platform together and follow a specific schedule for each set period. There are set dates for when employers and students are invited to apply, when projects must start, and when they need to wrap up. This keeps everything on track and ensures everyone is moving through the program at the same pace. There are cohorts throughout the year, and more information on their dates can be found in our cohort breakdown.

How much does it cost to participate?

For employers: You will contribute $700 for each student who completes a 60-hour project with your organization, and Riipen will match with an additional $700, fully covering the $1400 stipend. For more details on the payment process, please refer to the payments help article.

For students: Participation in this program is free, and you will receive a $1400 stipend upon successfully completing your project with your employer.

Can projects be in person? Or do they have to be remote?

Projects can be either in-person or remote, as long as it's clearly stated in your project description and both parties (employer and student) are able to meet in person if needed.

That said, we do encourage remote work, as it offers more flexibility for everyone involved. Since this is a national program, it’s exciting to connect with students and employers from across the country and make the most of virtual opportunities.

Can companies outside of Canada participate?

Riipen FuturePath is a Canadian program, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program, and is therefore only available to Canadian companies and Canadian students.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

The little avocado in the bottom right of your screen directs you right to our team! Please feel free to follow the prompts and our team is there to answer any questions you may have! Alternatively, you can email us at futurepath@riipen.com!

Why Riipen FuturePath?

Your competitors are already building their future workforce—are you? Gain an edge by engaging with skilled students before they enter the job market.

How do I match with the right students?

After creating and matching a great project, students will begin to apply to your project. You then have the opportunity to review the interested candidates, and conduct a screening of each one. Screening quickly is important to ensure that you get the top choice of the top candidates! Once you find a candidate you believe could be a good pick for your project, you can start working with them!

Can I bring my own student?

Yes, employers can bring their own students into the program, so long as the student completes the application process successfully. Please be mindful of the application timelines for students, which can be found here in the cohort breakdown.

How much time do I need to commit as an employer?

To drive the best project outcomes, we recommend dedicating just 1–3 hours per week for mentorship and communication with your students. This consistent engagement ensures they have the guidance needed to excel, while giving you a unique opportunity to shape their learning journey. It also allows you to assess their skills and potential as future talent—helping you identify standout candidates early and streamline future hiring efforts.

As part of the program, employers are asked to commit to a minimum of 5 hours of mentorship over the course of the placement. While this is a mandatory component, it's designed to be mutually beneficial: students gain real-world insights and professional growth while you invest in nurturing a pipeline of capable, work-ready talent. Ultimately, your time and support not only enhance the student experience but contribute to the long-term success of your organization.

Can I hire the student after the program ends?

Of course, you can; we encourage it! We are not involved in the hiring process, should you decide to continue working with a student outside of the program, we are simply here to facilitate the introduction of skilled students with seeking employers!

Can I work with multiple students on a single project?

Yes, you can! We find that the best project results come with teams of 2-4 students. However, the number of students you need depends completely on the scope of the project, so it is up to you!

Is there a limit to how many projects I can submit?

Our team will work with you to create the ideal number of projects to meet your needs!

Can employers participate in more than one cohort?

Yes, there is no limit to the number of cohorts an employer can participate in!

What happens if students miss the deadline?

It depends on the deadline! If you have specific questions about a student missing their deadline, we recommend coming right to our team, using the avocado at the bottom right of the screen. We can support on a case-by-case basis!

What happens if a student does not complete a project?

Students are encouraged to update their worklogs actively throughout the project, so you are aware of their time and how they are working on the project. Students will only be paid for the portion of hours that they complete, after a minimum of 4 hours and with a maximum of 60 hours being available per project. If a student does not complete a project, they will only be paid for the portion that they did complete.

Do I need to provide any tools or software for the students?

Yes, employers are responsible for providing necessary software licences or access to students for work-related tasks, such as those in manufacturing or engineering roles.

Is this program available across Canada?

Yes, Riipen FuturePath is a national program, available to both eligible students and employers all across Canada!

I want to work with a specific student I have in mind. Can I invite them to join Riipen FuturePath?

To ensure fairness and ensure that we are meeting all of our eligibility requirements, all students must join Riipen FuturePath via an invitation based on their application. If you have a specific student in mind, you can share our application form with them.

As an employer, can I have the same student work on multiple projects?

You can, however students have slightly different limitations than employers. Students may only participate in one project per cohort, and may only participate in a maximum of three cohorts total.

Can I add multiple companies to my employer account at Riipen?

Each employer can have only 1 account on Riipen and each account is allowed to have a maximum of 2 companies connected to it.

What is the duration of 1 project?

Projects span a maximum of 60 hours and must be completed between 2 and 8 weeks within a set cohort period. Students are expected to contribute at least 8-10 hours of work per week on their projects. Students may work for a maximum of 10 hours a day and 30 hours per week on Riipen FuturePath projects.

Is training and mentorship included in the 60-hour requirement?

Yes, the 60-hour work requirement includes any necessary training or mentorship required to complete the project, including the 5-hour mentorship that employers must provide.

Can we change the start and end date of the project?

Projects must be completed within the cohort timeline and dates cannot be altered. The project must be completed within a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 8 weeks, following the cohort schedule.

Why is ongoing communication between students and employers essential throughout the project?

Continuous communication between students and employers throughout the project is essential for clarifying expectations, problem-solving, maintaining quality, fostering positive relationships, collaboration, and accountability. It's also a program requirement for payment eligibility.

Is Riipen FuturePath available to international students?

Riipen FuturePath is funded by the Government of Canada. As part of the eligibility criteria of their funding, this program cannot be offered to international students.

How do I track my hours and progress?

All hours should be actively tracked throughout the project in the worklog section of the platform. If worklogs are not updated actively during the project, students run the risk of not being compensated for the hours worked. A reminder that all hours indicated on the worklog will need to be approved by the employer before payment is released, so students must ensure the hours are accurate. More information on how to update a worklog can be found here.

Will I receive feedback directly from employers?

Yes! We encourage employers to provide feedback actively throughout the project, but also mandate that feedback will be provided to students on the platform upon completion of the project as well! More information on feedback on the platform can be found here.

Can I work on two projects at the same time?

No, students are limited to one project per FuturePath cohort to ensure that they are giving the employer and the project at hand all of their attention and focus!

Can I participate more than once?

Yes, students can participate in a maximum of 3 cohorts in the FuturePath program. Participation in the 3 cohorts can be done consecutively or sporadically throughout the program.

Can I participate in two programs at the same time?

Though we don’t prohibit participation in multiple programs at the same time, we do ask that students ensure they can commit to the mandated 8-10 hours per week to each project they are working on. This program encourages employers to look for their next hire, and we want to ensure that each student is putting their best foot forward!

Can I use Riipen FuturePath experience as a co-op or internship credit?

This is entirely dependent on the criteria of the co-op or internship. Riipen cannot assume the rules and regulations of what constitutes a credit as each institution is unique. Riipen is also unable to provide your institution with proof of any work completed, this is the responsibility of the student. Please follow up with your institution's regulations to determine if this would suffice!

Can I get a reference letter from my employer?

We cannot guarantee that you will be provided with a reference letter from your employer, but we do believe that that should be a possibility if you provide the employer with a job well done!

What should I include in my application to stand out?

Read our guide on making yourself stand out during the application process.

Are there any workshops or training sessions included?

Yes! FuturePath includes a variety of workshops and training sessions designed to support your career growth. These sessions cover topics like resume writing, interview prep, personal branding, networking, career exploration, and more. You’ll also have the chance to develop key soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving—all essential for today’s job market.

Do I need prior work experience to apply?

The program is open to students who are eager to grow, regardless of their background. That said, participating in career-building activities will increase your chances of being accepted.

Experiences like internships (formal or informal), co-op programs, volunteering, student leadership, resume and interview workshops, Level UP & Advance Ontario projects, job shadowing, mentorship, networking events, or even self-directed job searching (like cold emailing or freelance work) can all strengthen your application. These show us that you’re actively exploring your career path and ready to make the most of FuturePath.

Can I apply as a team with other students?

No, you cannot apply as a team. This program is meant to build your individual skills and connections with employers, and we want to ensure that employers have the opportunity to build their teams as they see fit.

How flexible is the work schedule?

This program is designed to be part-time, allowing students to work on their projects while being fully enrolled in school! However, there is an expectation that students will be able to provide a minimum of 8 hours per week to their project to ensure that project work is consistent.

How long are the projects?

Projects are a maximum of 60 hours, completed over 2-8 weeks. Students must dedicate a minimum of 8 hours per week to working on their projects, but may not exceed 10 hours per day, or 30 hours per week.

Can I choose what projects to work on?

Yes! Students may apply to the projects in their cohort, where employers will interview in order to choose the best candidates for their roles.

Can I list this experience on my resume or LinkedIn?

Yes, you can. Upon completing each project, you will be provided with an achievement badge that can be shared on LinkedIn and attached to a resume!

Is this program available across Canada?

Yes, this program is available to students who are enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution and who hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or refugee status. Please see the eligibility criteria on our website for more information.

If I don't make it into this cohort, will I be able to apply for the next one?

Yes, students can apply for all cohorts, regardless of their success in the previous one. Please remember that students are limited to three cohorts in total.

Can I work on a project unrelated to my current field of study?

Students are free to work on projects

Is there a deadline for completing the project?

Projects must be completed within 8 weeks of their start date. If students are fulfilling the requirements of 8-10 hours per week, 60 hour projects should be completed typically in about 6 weeks.

As a first-year student, is it too early to sign up?

At this time, we’re prioritizing students who are further along in their studies. If you’re in your first year, we encourage you to stay connected and check back in a future term—FuturePath is designed to support students closer to graduation who are actively preparing for long-term career opportunities.

What do employers expect from students?

Employers expect FuturePath students to show proactivity, professionalism, and a genuine eagerness to learn. Since FuturePath offers remote, project-based experiences, students are expected to:

Ultimately, employers see this as a chance to mentor emerging talent — and they’re looking for students who are motivated, growth-minded, and ready to make an impact.

What happens if an employer cancels my project partway through?

If a project ends early, or is cancelled early, students will be compensated for the hours that have been detailed in their worklog, which is why it is important to ensure that worklogs are updated consistently. Students will be unable to edit a worklog if a project has been cancelled, all worklogs must be updated accurately throughout the project. In terms of next steps, we encourage students to connect with the Student Success Team!

How are students paid?

After completing a project $1,400 will be deposited directly into the students bank account. Read more about this here.

How long does it take to get the $1,400?

Payments will be distributed in two payments. The first will come after the 30-hour invoice has been approved by both the employer and Riipen, and the second will come upon the completion of the project, once the worklog has been approved once again. Once processed, payments can take up to 5 business days to be deposited into a student's account.

Will I receive tax documents for the payments I received?

You will receive any tax forms that Riipen is required to provide by the applicable deadline of the following year.

Does the $1,400 payment apply to projects done off the Riipen platform?

Riipen prohibits any work from being conducted off the platform until a student is matched to a project and initiates it officially by clicking the "start" button.