Bridging education and industry: Langara College's partnership with Riipen

In today’s competitive job market, hands-on experience is more important than ever. That’s why Langara College has partnered with Riipen, a leading work-integrated learning platform that connects students with real-world industry projects. Since the partnership launch in 2023, this Langara has provided students across various programs with valuable work-integrated learning opportunities.

From classroom to career.

Marie-Claire Seebohm, an instructor for the Langara School of Management (LSM) and key advocate for this initiative at Langara, explains how the partnership came to be. “Langara and Riipen entered into an agreement so that Riipen could be available to instructors across the College,” she notes. This strategic move allows students not only in business management but also in disciplines such as engineering and computer science to engage in work-integrated learning.

Riipen offers students a unique opportunity to work with employers from various industries on projects that align with their academic coursework. By collaborating with companies, students can apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios, enhancing their skills and confidence.

The program has seen a range of success stories from students who have participated in projects tailored to their specific fields of study. In one example, Human Resource Management students were matched with Canadian companies to develop policies and conduct job interviews, giving them hands-on experience in their field. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The overall outcomes in terms of student response were super positive. Students really were excited about the work.

This enthusiasm for Riipen projects has even led to increased student engagement and the creation of new business-focused student clubs at Langara. 

Expanding across disciplines.

While the LSM has been an early adopter, Riipen is now being integrated into programs across the College. For example, courses in Global Management and Data Analytics have already integrated Riipen projects into their curriculum, and more departments are looking to get involved.

"[The LSM is also] looking at our second-year course in organizational development, so that more students have access to this,” says Seebohm.

This cross-departmental approach enhances the student learning experience and fosters a collaborative learning environment, preparing students for the multidisciplinary nature of today’s workforce.

How students can get involved.

Participating in Riipen projects at Langara is simple. Students enrolled in Riipen-enabled courses can create profiles and apply for projects aligned with their skills, interests, and career goals–making it an excellent way for students to gain practical work while studying.

As Langara College continues to expand its partnership with Riipen, more students will have access to work-integrated learning that enhance their job readiness.

This initiative reinforces Langara’s commitment to providing career-focused education, helping students build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

The Langara x Riipen partnership benefits students of academic departments across the College. For more information about how to get started with Riipen, please contact your instructor or department chair.