Lessons from a flexible learning program: the Brotherhood of St Laurence Community VCAL education program for young people 2010–2013

The Brotherhood of St Laurence ‘Community VCAL’ program is a response to widespread concern in Victoria about youth disengagement from secondary education.

Operating in Frankston since 2010, it enables 15–18 year olds who have encountered significant challenges to undertake the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning – a course which combines classroom tuition with vocational training and work placements – in a non-school setting.

Using the 2013 program experience as its starting point, the report describes the evolution of an integrated approach to assisting young people through teaching, wellbeing and pathways support.