Revolutionizing employability: How the Riipen Employability Model is tackling underemployment.

For over a decade, Riipen has been dedicated to tackling the persistent issue of underemployment. We understand the hurdles that learners, educators, and employers face on the path to meaningful careers. Our innovative solutions are designed to address these challenges head-on. Central to our efforts is the Riipen Employability Model (REM), a powerful adaptation of the well-regarded CareerEDGE model by Dacre Pool and Sewell.

The REM represents our commitment to measuring the impact of our programs on employability—a critical factor in combating underemployment. By leveraging formal academic research and technological innovation, we’ve created a model that accurately captures the benefits of experiential learning experiences facilitated by Riipen. This is done through a comprehensive assessment of the five key factors that influence employability, as well as the two additional categories introduced by Riipen.

The Riipen Employability Model (REM).

The REM is an extension of the CareerEDGE model, renowned for its practical approach to enhancing learners' employability. The original model focuses on five key factors that positively influence employability: Career Development Learning, Experience (Work & Life), Academic Subject Knowledge, Generic Skills, and Emotional Intelligence. These factors, when developed and enhanced, contribute to developing self-efficacy, self-confidence, and self-esteem, ultimately enhancing a learner’s employability.

In adapting this model, Riipen introduces two additional categories: Labour Market and Validation of Employability. The Labour Market category considers external factors such as the economic environment, employment policies, and employer requirements. By acknowledging these influences, we provide a comprehensive view of learners' challenges and opportunities in the job market. The Validation of Employability category, on the other hand, ensures that the impact of experiential learning is not just theoretical but demonstrable, as explained in the following paragraphs.

Validation of employability.

One of the critical innovations in the REM is the Validation of Employability. This component ensures that the impact of experiential learning is not just theoretical but demonstrable. Riipen’s platform enables this validation through three main tools: Employer Feedback, Pre-and Post-Experience Surveys, and Experience Record. These tools work together to provide a comprehensive and tangible validation of a learner's employability.

1. Employer Feedback: Learners receive feedback from their employers after completing an experiential learning experience. This real-world evaluation provides valuable insights into their performance and skills.
2. Pre- and Post-Experience Surveys: Learners reflect on their experiences through structured surveys. Focusing on the five developmental factors, these reflections help learners internalize their growth and identify areas for further improvement.
3. Experience Record: All feedback and reflections are documented in a personalized Experience Record on the learner’s Riipen profile. This record is a tangible showcase of their employability, ready to be presented to potential employers.

Why focus on employability?

Our mission is to revolutionize higher education and internships to end underemployment. Employability is critical because it encompasses individual attributes and external factors affecting job acquisition. Measuring employability allows us to provide timely and ethical insights into a learner’s career readiness, bypassing the challenges of tracking long-term employment outcomes. The Riipen Employability Model is at the heart of this mission, providing a robust framework for measuring and enhancing employability.

By enhancing learners’ employability through experiential learning, we increase their chances of securing meaningful employment. This approach benefits learners and addresses the skills mismatch that frustrates many employers. Through the REM, we can demonstrate the tangible impact of our programs on learners’ career prospects. For instance, we have seen a significant increase in job offers and career advancements among our program participants.

Join us on the journey.

The 2023 Riipen Impact Report is not just a collection of data, but a comprehensive examination of our initiatives and their outcomes. It showcases how we are making strides in ending underemployment by equipping learners with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. By signing up for the report, you’ll gain valuable insights into our methods and the measurable benefits of our programs, leaving you feeling informed and confident in the data.

Together, we can create a future where all learners have equal opportunities to unlock their full potential. Join us in this mission by signing up for Riipen's Annual Impact Report. Your participation is crucial in our journey towards ending underemployment and revolutionizing the landscape of higher education and internships. 

Discover how Riipen is transforming the landscape of higher education and internships, paving the way for a world without underemployment.

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