powered by Riipen
Connect with exceptional Canadian tech talent for your business
The ICT Ignite difference
Track progress: Review learner applications to your project, track project progress and get reminders on major project milestones through the ICT Ignite portal. Keep track of important documents and communications all in one place.
100% Remote: All ICT Ignite projects can be completed 100% remotely. Riipen supports Google Meet and Zoom integration, so you can work with learners anywhere in Canada.
Test drive Talent: This is your chance to work with aspiring tech professionals who can bring new ideas and specialist skills to your business.
How the program works
A registered Canadian business or non-profit organization
A member of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada
Part of an organization that engages in partisan political activities, and/or a federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government
Grow your business with ICT Ignite Skills
Frequently asked questions
Related resources
Tech education leader, Lighthouse Labs is partnering with Riipen, the leading work-based learning platform to provide an accelerated path to Canada’s thriving tech sector. Through hands-on, employer-led projects, this partnership will help aspiring tech professionals pave their way for success with in-demand tech skills and work experiences tailored for today's dynamic job market. Together they are creating an ecosystem of opportunities for all and creating a more inclusive and thriving tech sector.
What does an ICT Ignite Skills project need to include? 
Projects should provide 80 hours of work per learner participating. Each project must be completed within 2-8 weeks. For more information on how to create and submit a project for ICT Ignite Skills, you can consult this article.
How many projects can I submit and how many learners can I take on?
There’s no limit to how many projects an employer can submit to the ICT Ignite Skills program. You should work with 2-4 learners per project.
What if my project requires more than 80 hours of work?
If this is the case, we suggest taking on more learners on the same project. We ask that employers accept at least 2 learners per project, but up to 4. Working with 4 learners means a project can require 320 hours of work in total.
ICT Ignite Skills is offered as part of the ICT Boost Initiative. Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP).
Empowering Canadian employers with fully subsidized 80-hour digital tech internships to cultivate and retain a thriving tech talent pipeline.
Most Canadian employers are already eligible
What type of projects can I post?
Employers can post a range of digital tech projects, including but not limited to digital marketing, UX/UI design, learning design, software development, product management & IT management.
What is ICT Ignite Skills ?
A digital tech program tailored for employers seeking to connect with aspiring digital professionals and build their talent pipeline with paid internships, powered through Riipen.
Easily turn your business tasks into projects
Access our template library for inspiration, or browse to see what other employers are looking for. We make it easy for you to convert your digital tech challenge into off-the-shelf 80-hour projects.
Just mark projects complete to issue compensation
Your learners will receive a $1500 stipend, paid directly by Riipen. All you have to do is review their final submission, provide feedback, and mark the project as complete.
Please note that this program is currently closed for new applications. We invite you to explore our other programs or check back later for updates on future openings.
We have worked with a few internship programs over the last 20 years. Most leave a lot to be desired. Lighthouse Labs and Riipen have developed a program that is much easier to navigate and utilize. Small and medium-sized businesses that always need some extra help would find this program a tremendous benefit.
Paul Jacobelli,
Founder & President, EdTek Services
Mayank Balakrishnan,
Founder & Director. Fetherstill Inc.
Great initiative for startups. An opportunity to tap into the unknown talented pool of students and professionals. Riipen is one of the best organizations to connect students to industry and startups. Fetherstill has gained greatly though this collaboration.
ICT Ignite Skills was an open-access program that offered 8-week remote paid internships for learners to connect with employers, build their portfolios, and showcase their digital tech skills. The program offered 80-hour micro internships, completed between 2 and 8 weeks, with a $1500 stipend. Download the full report below: