Vancouver Learning Network

The Canadian school where students are turning education into real work, real income, and real futures

Vancouver Learning Network, a public secondary school in Vancouver, Canada, is tackling the critical gap of transitioning from school to adult life by empowering students with the real-world experience they need to earn an income and build sustainable careers in parallel to completing their formal schooling. For young people, Canada’s university-focused schooling system leaves many students without a clear path into work, vocational training, or skilled careers. The expectation to make life-shaping decisions about their future without having experienced the world of work leaves many disengaged and unsure of their next step.

To address this challenge, Vancouver Learning Network, a department within the school, has created an interest-based structure where learning is no longer confined to the classroom, giving students the opportunity to divide their time between secondary school, college, and the workplace. With this approach, learners in their senior secondary years can achieve academically and earn credits through their neighbourhood school, while at the same time completing learning through hands-on skilled trades training, post-secondary dual credit courses, and paid apprenticeship work placements. Through a strong cooperation with their neighbourhood schools, students are supported to create a graduation plan, enabling them to have access to alternative learning experiences without losing their sense of belonging within their original school communities. Students still participate in school-based activities, sports and the graduation ceremony among their friends.

At the heart of the collaboration, students are supported in pursuing their own unique pathway by a coordinated network of educators, apprenticeship employers, and post-secondary training partners. The programme connects students with meaningful work opportunities, helps them enrol in training, and build the skills they need for life beyond secondary school. In practice, students spend up to four days a week in training or on a worksite, while completing their remaining graduation requirements through flexible or self-paced learning. Working as teaching partners, real-world employers help students shape the skills they need, demonstrating a strong value for education in the workplace.

By supporting students at one of the most challenging transitions in their lives, Vancouver Learning Network is having a measurable impact. Current students have completed over 200,000 hours of registered and paid apprenticeship work, earning between CAD$19.51 and CAD$27.50 per hour, equating to at least CAD$5 million of direct economic and educational benefit. Student apprenticeship registration has increased through collaboration with community-based employers over the past few years.In one case, nearly 100 youth apprentices have been hired by a single employer and a total of 395 employers routinely recruit students from the programme. Teacher retention is high, with educators often reaching out to be a part of the team as they are drawn to the purpose-driven nature of the programme and its real-world impact on students’ lives.

Learners have been recognised at a provincial and national level. Recently, 74 graduates received the CAD$1,000 Ministry of Education 'WORK Award' for apprenticeship achievement, and students have consistently earned national medals at Skills Canada competitions. In 2025, five out of eight competitors received medals, making the Vancouver Learning Network the most decorated single school in the province.

The programme is supported by provincial policy that allows supervised youth employment within school structures, meaning that students have the opportunity to earn while they learn. Originally developed through collaboration with the Ministry of Education over two decades ago, youth apprenticeship and dual credit programs were designed to address a gap in Canada’s traditionally university-focused system by creating real pathways into skilled trades, health care, early childhood education, creative, and technology careers.

The model is highly replicable and scalable, and the school continues to engage policies that enable expansion, diversification, and connection with school districts across the province.