Riipen — Level UP

Finding skilled talent to move projects forward can be challenging, especially when budgets are tight or specialized skills are hard to source locally. Riipen — Level UP offers a practical way for Canadian businesses and nonprofit organizations to get meaningful work done while connecting with top post‑secondary students from across the country. Instead of traditional hiring, the program matches organizations with students who complete real, defined projects as part of fully subsidized, short-term internships.

Through Level UP, participating organizations can host a student for a structured project of roughly 60 hours, delivered either fully online or in a hybrid format. These projects can range from market research and digital strategy to process improvement or exploratory initiatives that often get pushed aside. Because the internships are funded, there’s no wage cost to the organization, making it an accessible option for small and medium-sized businesses as well as larger enterprises and nonprofits. The program also allows employers to track progress, communicate easily, and assess student performance throughout the project.

Level UP runs nationally and operates through scheduled cohorts, with applications typically open on an ongoing basis depending on timing. For organizations interested in testing future talent, gaining fresh perspectives, and advancing specific business goals without taking on additional payroll expenses, learning more about how Riipen — Level UP works could be a valuable next step.