IBM SkillsBuild FAQs

How do I join Skills for the future with IBM

SkillsBuild and Riipen

Follow the help articles below with outlined steps:

How many hours are learners expected to put into their projects?

Learners are expected to dedicate at least 8 hours per week to their projects. Though projects are meant to be part-time, flexible projects, the expectation of a minimum weekly hourly commitment ensures that both learners and employers enter each project with a clear deliverable. Learners are encouraged to commit to their projects and ensure that momentum is provided to the project and employers, providing the best outcomes!

​I am a learner with unique needs. Can the Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen program accommodate them?

Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen projects offer flexibility for learners needing extra time due to emergencies, cognitive needs or unforeseen life changes. Use clear communication to talk to the employer about your needs. Riipen encourages employers to provide the necessary support for learner success.

​If you require special accommodations due to a unique circumstance, please make sure that your employer is made aware of it at the beginning of the project and that you connect with the Riipen team immediately via chat feature in the bottom right corner of every Riipen page or by emailing ibmskillsbuild@riipen.com.

My employer said that I can do less than 60 hours/start after 2 months/etc.

Unfortunately, side agreements between employers and learners cannot be tracked and therefore are not honoured by Riipen. Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen is designed to work on a cohort schedule, therefore projects must be completed within the timeframe. Failure to work on projects within the dedicated timeframe may result in projects not being compensated.

How many projects can I complete?

Learners can complete 1 project per cohort. See our Cohort Breakdown for cohort dates.

Can I participate in multiple cohorts?

Yes, you can participate in multiple cohorts, but may only allowed to participate in one cohort at a time. After completing your first cohort, you can apply again for a second cohort by submitting a new application [link to applying to IBM SkillsBuild] and be invited to join.

How do I stand out to get selected for projects by employers?

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

How do learners get matched to projects?

Learners apply directly to projects, and employers accept applications. Employers do not search for learners to join the project. Read more here.

How does the project application process work for Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen?

Learners can have up to four active project applications at a time. If an employer declines an application, you are free to apply to a new project. Once an employer accepts your application, that project is locked in for you, and all other outstanding applications will be automatically canceled. Please note that there are specific dates [link to cohort breakdown] when learners must apply and be matched to projects for each cohort.

How can I keep my spot in a cohort?

Learners must stay active in the program to retain their spot. If you are inactive and miss action deadlines, you may be removed from the program. Make sure to review and adhere to the deadlines to maintain your enrollment.

Can AI be used for projects?

Yes, AI can be a useful tool, unless instructed otherwise by the employer. All projects must encompass 60 hours of work, and you must upload deliverables and working documents to demonstrate completion, even when AI is employed. While learners are allowed to use AI for assistance, they must demonstrate their effort and work, showing that AI was used only as a tool to aid them, not to complete the entire project.

How could my Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen experience help me find a job?

See our blog on how you can leverage IBM SkillsBuild and practical experience with a Riipen project as part of your job search.

I did some tasks for the employer after the 60-week project completion. Will I get paid for that?

Unfortunately, no. Learners are only paid for 60 hours that are completed by ensuring they follow the rules that keep them eligible for the payout. Riipen does not compensate anyone over and above outside of the participation agreement.

Am I required to hire the learner that I work with after the project is completed?

No, there is no requirement to hire the learner after the project is completed. However, IBM SkillsBuild equips learners with the skills they need to excel, and we encourage employers to view the program as an opportunity to build their talent pipeline and engage with fresh, motivated talent. When reviewing project match requests, we prioritize projects where employers have plans for future talent needs, ensuring a meaningful collaboration with learners. This helps us align the right talent to the right opportunities and supports both employers and learners in achieving their goals.

I want to work with a specific learner I have in mind. Can I invite them to join Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen

To ensure fairness, all learners must join Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen via an invitation based on their application. If you have a specific learner in mind, you can share our application form with them, found on our website [link]. No learner entry is guaranteed, and all learners must ensure they are participating within the bounds of eligibility and the cohort timelines.

How many projects can I post per cohort?

Employers may post 2 projects per cohort. Each project is limited to 2 learners per project. See our participation agreement for more information on participation limits.

What should I include in a project?

Employers can read this guide on Creating a Successful Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen project [link]. It outlines the key elements needed in your project match request to expedite approval by the Riipen team.

Can teams be canceled if they are inactive?

Yes, if a team is inactive after being matched to your project, they may be canceled. The team must begin the project on the Riipen platform before or on the cohort start date.

Are employers responsible for providing the required software and tools needed for the project?

Yes, employers are responsible for providing necessary software licences or access to learners for work-related tasks, such as those in manufacturing or engineering roles. However, we recommend that all communication remains within the Riipen platform.

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.

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 learners. 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: learners 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 learner experience but contribute to the long-term success of your organization.

What happens if a learner does not complete a project?

Learners must complete all 60 required hours to be eligible for payment. Learners who do not fulfill the hour requirement will not receive compensation, and partial payments are not available.

What is the Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen program?

IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen have partnered to create the ultimate career advancement program. Learners build tech skills with IBM SkillsBuild, then gain experience through Riipen

IBM SkillsBuild is a free, comprehensive learning platform designed to empower individuals with the digital skills needed for today’s in-demand industries. Offering expert-developed courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, web development, data science, and more. IBM SkillsBuild helps learners acquire the knowledge necessary to advance their careers.

Upon completing the eligible courses [link to article], learners are invited to apply their newly gained skills through hands-on projects in collaboration with employers on the Riipen platform. This real-world experience helps learners deepen their expertise while providing employers with valuable contributions from motivated, skilled talent.

By bridging the gap between education and career readiness, IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen play a pivotal role in preparing the workforce of tomorrow.

What are the conditions required to participate in the program?

The participation agreements outline requirements to participate in the Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen Program.

How do I join Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen?

Here are some helpful guides to support learners [link] and employers [link] in getting starts.

Am I eligible to participate in the Riipen projects?

Check your eligibility status on our landing pages for learners

[link] and employers [link].

Why do I need to verify my identity?

Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen 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 it for learners & employers.

Can learners work on teams?

Each team is limited to one learner. With the employer's approval, a team may collaborate with another team matched to the same project, if required. In cases of collaboration, each team must submit unique deliverables to the platform to showcase their individual contributions.

What is a cohort?

A cohort refers to a group of learners who participate in a specific term of the Skills for the future with IBM SkillsBuild and Riipen program. Learn more in our Cohort Breakdown.

What is the duration of 1 project?

Projects span 60 hours, and learners must fulfil the full 60 hours to be eligible for payment. These 60 hours must be completed more than 2 weeks and within the set cohort period. Learners may work for a maximum of 10 hours a day and 30 hours per week on the Riipen projects, and are expected to dedicate at least 8 hours per week.

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

Yes, any necessary training or mentorship required to complete the project is included in the 60-hour work requirement. This includes the 5-hours of mentorship that employers must provide.

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

No, projects must be completed within the cohort timeline and dates cannot be altered. The project must be completed within a minimum of 2 weeks, following the cohort schedule.

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

Continuous communication between learners 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.

The project has started, but I’ve run into trouble with my learner/employer. What should I do?

The first step is to always try to work through challenges together. Learn more in these helpful articles[link].

What if the project requires more than 60 hours of work?

If a project requires more than 60 hours, it can be split into two separate projects: Phase 1 and Phase 2, within the same cohort. However, please note that learners can only work on one project per cohort. As a result, each phase will need to be assigned to different learners. Once the 60-hour limit is reached for a phase, the project is considered complete, and learners will not be compensated for any additional hours worked beyond that limit.

What if I can’t finish the 60 hours?

Riipen does not offer partial payments for incomplete work. To receive payment, learners must demonstrate that they completed the 60 hours required.

What is Riipen looking for when evaluating projects as part of payment processing?

Please view our help article: Complete your project [link] to view our evaluation process.

How are learners paid?

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

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

See our cohort breakdown for when you can expect to receive your payment.

How can I get paid for my work sooner?

To receive payment within our standard billing cycle, please ensure that your project fulfils all of our payment requirements. We are unable to expedite payment for individuals to maintain fairness and equality in our practices.

Will I receive tax documents for the payments I received?

Riipen will provide any and all tax documents required by Canadian law, all of which will be available in the documents section of your Riipen profile. Learn more here.

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 learner is matched to a project and initiates it officially by clicking the "start project" button.

What if the employer doesn't provide feedback? Will I still get paid?

While employer feedback is crucial for payment, it is not mandatory. If the employer hasn't given feedback, the Riipen team will review your submission five weeks after receiving it. During this period, we'll send reminders to your employer to complete feedback and help expedite the payment process.