This article is a general guide to the Breaking Barriers with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and Riipen program. You are required to read and sign the official participation agreement provided for your specific cohort when you join the program.
1. Eligibility Requirements
I confirm that I meet the criteria of an eligible employer:
I represent a not-for-profit employer, public sector employer, or private sector employer.
My organization is a registered Canadian business, with a valid registered business number.
I am not a representative of a publicly funded post-secondary institution.
I am not a member of the House of Commons or the Senate, an organization that engages in partisan political activities, and/or federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government.
2. Participation Requirements
To participate in the Breaking Barriers with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and Riipen program, I confirm that:
I will participate in a maximum of 2 projects
I will only accept a maximum of 3 students to my project
I will not create multiple active accounts or participate using more than two companies, each of which must undergo ID verification.
My organization and I will not claim any payment from students or receive any portion of the student stipend.
I will not collaborate with friends, family members or employees on Breaking Barriers with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and Riipen projects.
If the Riipen team finds that you have violated any of the participation requirements, you will be removed from the Breaking Barriers with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and Riipen program and have any active teams canceled. This may affect your ability to participate in any Riipen funded programs, projects, portals, and experiences moving forward.
3. Project Timeline & Cohort Dates
I confirm that I have read and understood the cohort timeline below. I understand that failure to comply with the program timeline could result in my students not being compensated for the work that they submit.
Experience is open to match requests: September 29 - November 14
Learners apply to projects: November 17 - 26
Last day for employers to accept learner applications: November 28
Project start date: December 1
Note: Learners may work over the holiday period if they choose to, but it is not required. Please ensure learners are set up for success before the break, and plan to resume in January.
Project end date: February 20
4. Project Requirements
As a condition of participation in this cohort, I understand that students will apply to the project and I am required to work with the students that I accept for my project.
I will clearly define the project scope on the Riipen platform and ensure it requires no more than 60 hours of work per student.
I agree that no fees will be charged to students, including training or application licences.
I agree to be available for discussions with the Riipen coordinator to confirm project appropriateness.
Students must be accepted on the Riipen platform with their team matched to a project before starting a project. No retroactive recording of students or projects is allowed.
I will provide a minimum of 5 hours of mentorship per student, including regular check-ins.
Once a student is matched to my project, no changes or accommodations will be made. I must complete the project as outlined with that student.
If I post any project to two consecutive cohorts without accepting any applicants, I will not be eligible to repost any projects to a third cohort.
Upon project completion, I will complete the exit survey and submit feedback confirming the student's work and hours. If the work is incomplete, I will notify Riipen by submitting a Dispute Resolution ticket through the Avocado support feature in the bottom right corner of the Riipen website.
5. Student Payment Eligibility
Payment is only available to students registered and accepted into the appropriate cohort on the Riipen platform under the Breaking Barriers with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and Riipen program.
Students are considered workers of Riipen Networks Inc., with Riipen ensuring compliance with Ontario’s Work Safe requirements.
Riipen reserves the right to determine student eligibility for payment. Only projects meeting all terms will qualify.
6. Respectful Behaviour Agreement
I agree to:
Conduct myself with respect and professionalism at all times. This includes refraining from harassment, discrimination, hate speech, and abusive behaviour.
Understand that any violation of this agreement may result in immediate removal, suspension, or termination without notice.
Accept that Riipen’s determination of disrespectful conduct is final and binding.
Be solely responsible for my behaviour while using this service.