Trade School | Barter For Knowledge

We love learning, but we loathe the debt that comes with it. That's why we love Trade School, a non-traditional learning community that runs on barter. Teachers propose classes and ask for barter items from the students; and students sign up for classes by agreeing to bring such barter items for the teacher. It's an easy concept: giving back to each other in more meaningful ways than what monetary value holds.

Originally started in New York in 2010, Trade School is now hosted in 32 cities across the word. Trade School just launched in Vancouver and is the second city in Canada (Toronto, being the other) to adopt this type of alternative school. Trade School celebrates practical wisdom and is for people who value hands-on knowledge, mutual respect, and the social nature of exchange. It is a place of learning, connecting, sharing and Trade School believes that everyone has something to offer.

Types of classes taught are anything from instruction on 'Math in Real Life', 'Marketing Basics', 'Eating for Health and Wellness', to 'Hatha Yoga', 'Guerilla Style Usability', and 'Life Drawing' and 'Knitting' courses.

Trade School Vancouver launches with their first classes on January 19. View here to see what classes are being offered and to sign up.

Trade School 2011 from David Felix Sutcliffe on Vimeo.