Employer Program Overview In partnership with First Work , South Essex Community Council ( SECC ), and Riipen About the Program Building Tech Careers in the Agri-Food Sector is an 8-week, cohort-based program combining in-class learning and real-world work experience. Designed for youth and newcomers in Ontario—especially Southwestern Ontario—the program equips participants with both technical and soft skills for digital and tech-oriented roles in the agri-food sector. As an employer, you will play a vital role by hosting participants for a 3-week job shadowing experience , giving them the chance to observe your workplace, explore real-world environments, and see how their skills can be applied, while you gain early visibility into emerging talent Placement Details Placement Dates: Monday November 3, 2025 - Friday November 21, 2025 Time Commitment: ~35 hours/week per participant (flexible based on your needs) Placement Format: In-person is prioritized ; hybrid options may be considered Support: Riipen provides structured guidance, tools, and templates throughout Who We’re Looking For We are seeking employers from across Ontario’s diverse agri-food industry, including: Primary Agriculture: Crop, livestock, dairy, greenhouse operations Food & Beverage Processing: Meat, dairy, bakery, breweries, wineries Wholesale & Distribution: Storage, logistics, butchery Retail & Food Services: Grocery, markets, restaurants Agri-Bioproducts & Innovation: Biofuels, biodegradable products, ag-tech Cannabis Cultivation Fisheries & Aquaculture What Employers Can Expect By participating, you will: Support the next generation of talent while creating positive social impact Access enthusiastic, entry-level candidates trained in essential industry skills Receive structured support and project tools through Riipen’s platform Identify potential future hires in a low-risk setting Benefit from a fully-funded training opportunity, there's not cost to you; all training is covered by SECC If you choose to hire the learner after the project ends, the learner will continue to receive ongoing training and support from SECC for up to one year. What Each Project Will Offer Participants Each employer-hosted project will allow participants to: Apply technical and soft skills in real-world environments Work in small teams of 2–3 job seekers Gain experience in professional team settings Complete a scoped project (~35 hours/week) over the 3-week placement Receive feedback and mentorship from employers Participant Skillsets Technical Skills: Food Safety and Quality Control Fundamentals of Equipment Operation and Maintenance Documentation and Record Keeping Fundamentals of Greenhouse Structures, Irrigation, PLC and Electrical Soft Skills: Communication, active listening Emotional intelligence, attitude, goal setting Digital literacy, problem-solving, compliance Certifications Earned: AODA WHMIS Worker Health & Safety Awareness Food Safety Introduction to Electricity (Lambton College 4-part series) Program Goals Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry application Provide employers with promising talent and fresh insights Help job seekers fast-track their employment journey Advance First Work’s mission of building a sustainable employment network  Questions? Hit the 🥑 on your screen or email us at agri-food@riipen.com Learn more about the program: https://secc.on.ca/get-help/job-seekers/

Employer Program Overview In partnership with First Work , South Essex Community Council ( SECC ), and Riipen About the Program Building Tech Careers in the Agri-Food Sector is an 8-week, cohort-based program combining in-class learning and real-world work experience. Designed for youth and newcomers in Ontario—especially Southwestern Ontario—the program equips participants with both technical and soft skills for digital and tech-oriented roles in the agri-food sector. As an employer, you will play a vital role by hosting participants for a 3-week job shadowing experience , giving them the chance to observe your workplace, explore real-world environments, and see how their skills can be applied, while you gain early visibility into emerging talent. Placement Details Placement Dates: Monday November 3, 2025 - Friday November 21, 2025 Time Commitment: ~35 hours/week per participant (flexible based on your needs) Placement Format: In-person is prioritized ; hybrid options may be considered Support: Riipen provides structured guidance, tools, and templates throughout Who We’re Looking For We are seeking employers from across Ontario’s diverse agri-food industry, including: Primary Agriculture: Crop, livestock, dairy, greenhouse operations Food & Beverage Processing: Meat, dairy, bakery, breweries, wineries Wholesale & Distribution: Storage, logistics, butchery Retail & Food Services: Grocery, markets, restaurants Agri-Bioproducts & Innovation: Biofuels, biodegradable products, ag-tech Cannabis Cultivation Fisheries & Aquaculture What Employers Can Expect By participating, you will: Support the next generation of talent while creating positive social impact Access enthusiastic, entry-level candidates trained in essential industry skills Receive structured support and project tools through Riipen’s platform Identify potential future hires in a low-risk setting Benefit from a fully-funded training opportunity, there's not cost to you; all training is covered by SECC If you choose to hire the learner after the project ends, the learner will continue to receive ongoing training and support from SECC for up to one year. What Each Project Will Offer Participants Each employer-hosted project will allow participants to: Apply technical and soft skills in real-world environments Work in small teams of 2–3 job seekers Gain experience in professional team settings Complete a scoped project (~35 hours/week) over the 3-week placement Receive feedback and mentorship from employers Participant Skillsets Technical Skills: Food Safety and Quality Control Fundamentals of Equipment Operation and Maintenance Documentation and Record Keeping Fundamentals of Greenhouse Structures, Irrigation, PLC and Electrical Soft Skills: Communication, active listening Emotional intelligence, attitude, goal setting Digital literacy, problem-solving, compliance Certifications Earned: AODA WHMIS Worker Health & Safety Awareness Food Safety Introduction to Electricity (Lambton College 4-part series) Program Goals Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry application Provide employers with promising talent and fresh insights Help job seekers fast-track their employment journey Advance First Work’s mission of building a sustainable employment network  Questions? Hit the 🥑 on your screen or email us at agri-food@riipen.com Learn more about the program: https://secc.on.ca/get-help/job-seekers/

Employer Program Overview In partnership with First Work , South Essex Community Council ( SECC ), and Riipen About the Program Building Tech Careers in the Agri-Food Sector is an 8-week, cohort-based program combining in-class learning and real-world work experience. Designed for youth and newcomers in Ontario—especially Southwestern Ontario—the program equips participants with both technical and soft skills for digital and tech-oriented roles in the agri-food sector. As an employer, you will play a vital role by hosting participants for a 3-week job shadowing experience , giving them the chance to observe your workplace, explore real-world environments, and see how their skills can be applied, while you gain early visibility into emerging talent. Placement Details Placement Dates: Monday November 3, 2025 - Friday November 21, 2025 Time Commitment: ~35 hours/week per participant (flexible based on your needs) Placement Format: In-person is prioritized ; hybrid options may be considered Support: Riipen provides structured guidance, tools, and templates throughout Who We’re Looking For We are seeking employers from across Ontario’s diverse agri-food industry, including: Primary Agriculture: Crop, livestock, dairy, greenhouse operations Food & Beverage Processing: Meat, dairy, bakery, breweries, wineries Wholesale & Distribution: Storage, logistics, butchery Retail & Food Services: Grocery, markets, restaurants Agri-Bioproducts & Innovation: Biofuels, biodegradable products, ag-tech Cannabis Cultivation Fisheries & Aquaculture What Employers Can Expect By participating, you will: Support the next generation of talent while creating positive social impact Access enthusiastic, entry-level candidates trained in essential industry skills Receive structured support and project tools through Riipen’s platform Identify potential future hires in a low-risk setting Benefit from a fully-funded training opportunity, there's not cost to you; all training is covered by SECC If you choose to hire the learner after the project ends, the learner will continue to receive ongoing training and support from SECC for up to one year. What Each Project Will Offer Participants Each employer-hosted project will allow participants to: Apply technical and soft skills in real-world environments Work in small teams of 2–3 job seekers Gain experience in professional team settings Complete a scoped project (~35 hours/week) over the 3-week placement Receive feedback and mentorship from employers Participant Skillsets Technical Skills: Food Safety and Quality Control Fundamentals of Equipment Operation and Maintenance Documentation and Record Keeping Fundamentals of Greenhouse Structures, Irrigation, PLC and Electrical Soft Skills: Communication, active listening Emotional intelligence, attitude, goal setting Digital literacy, problem-solving, compliance Certifications Earned: AODA WHMIS Worker Health & Safety Awareness Food Safety Introduction to Electricity (Lambton College 4-part series) Program Goals Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry application Provide employers with promising talent and fresh insights Help job seekers fast-track their employment journey Advance First Work’s mission of building a sustainable employment network  Questions? Hit the 🥑 on your screen or email us at agri-food@riipen.com Learn more about the program: https://secc.on.ca/get-help/job-seekers/

Employer Program Overview In partnership with First Work , South Essex Community Council ( SECC ), and Riipen About the Program Building Tech Careers in the Agri-Food Sector is an 8-week, cohort-based program combining in-class learning and real-world work experience. Designed for youth and newcomers in Ontario—especially Southwestern Ontario—the program equips participants with both technical and soft skills for digital and tech-oriented roles in the agri-food sector. As an employer, you will play a vital role by hosting participants for a 3-week job shadowing experience , giving them the chance to observe your workplace, explore real-world environments, and see how their skills can be applied, while you gain early visibility into emerging talent. Placement Details Placement Dates: Monday November 3, 2025 - Friday November 21, 2025 Time Commitment: ~35 hours/week per participant (flexible based on your needs) Placement Format: In-person is prioritized ; hybrid options may be considered Support: Riipen provides structured guidance, tools, and templates throughout Who We’re Looking For We are seeking employers from across Ontario’s diverse agri-food industry, including: Primary Agriculture: Crop, livestock, dairy, greenhouse operations Food & Beverage Processing: Meat, dairy, bakery, breweries, wineries Wholesale & Distribution: Storage, logistics, butchery Retail & Food Services: Grocery, markets, restaurants Agri-Bioproducts & Innovation: Biofuels, biodegradable products, ag-tech Cannabis Cultivation Fisheries & Aquaculture What Employers Can Expect By participating, you will: Support the next generation of talent while creating positive social impact Access enthusiastic, entry-level candidates trained in essential industry skills Receive structured support and project tools through Riipen’s platform Identify potential future hires in a low-risk setting Benefit from a fully-funded training opportunity, there's not cost to you; all training is covered by SECC If you choose to hire the learner after the project ends, the learner will continue t o receive ongoing training and support from SECC for up to one year. What Each Project Will Offer Participants Each employer-hosted project will allow participants to: Apply technical and soft skills in real-world environments Work in small teams of 2–3 job seekers Gain experience in professional team settings Complete a scoped project (~35 hours/week) over the 3-week placement Receive feedback and mentorship from employers Participant Skillsets Technical Skills: Food Safety and Quality Control Fundamentals of Equipment Operation and Maintenance Documentation and Record Keeping Fundamentals of Greenhouse Structures, Irrigation, PLC and Electrical Soft Skills: Communication, active listening Emotional intelligence, attitude, goal setting Digital literacy, problem-solving, compliance Certifications Earned: AODA WHMIS Worker Health & Safety Awareness Food Safety Introduction to Electricity (Lambton College 4-part series) Program Goals Bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry application Provide employers with promising talent and fresh insights Help job seekers fast-track their employment journey Advance First Work’s mission of building a sustainable employment network  Questions? Hit the 🥑 on your screen or email us at agri-food@riipen.com Learn more about the program: https://secc.on.ca/get-help/job-seekers/