Tom Elson - Live From the SocialPacific Vault

Recorded live at SocialPacific 2025 in North Vancouver, Tom Elson, Employer Success Manager at Riipen, joins guest host Rachel Thexton to explore how work-based learning is closing the gap between graduation and meaningful employment.

Riipen connects students, educators, and employers through real-world project work — giving students hands-on experience while giving organizations access to fresh talent and ideas, often with government-funded subsidies covering up to 50% of student stipends.

Tom breaks down how Riipen works, what employers are actually looking for in junior talent, and why their new Future Path program might be the most flexible student engagement tool available to Canadian organizations right now.

Because the talent gap is real — and the solution might already be in a classroom near you.

Tickets to SocialPacific 2026 will be on sale soon. Be part of conversations like this, live and in person.

Follow Tom Elson on LinkedIn and learn more about Riipen at riipen.com.

Follow guest host Rachel Thexton on LinkedIn and listen to her podcast Rachel Thexton Connects.

Thanks to our Editors and Producers at TAKT.

This episode was recorded live at The Wallace in North Vancouver during SocialPacific 2025, British Columbia's largest marketing conference, bringing together over 600 professionals for two days of actionable insights, expert speakers, and high-value networking.

SocialPacific is part of the SocialNext series, Canada's leading platform for marketing conferences, media, and community.