Vancouver's community of practice
for enterprise IT
Programs & Learning Tracks
Structured, multi-session programs built for enterprise IT practitioners. Follow a track, build a lab, earn a portfolio artifact.
How VanTUG Programs Work
We're not just talks. We're a community of practice that runs programs.
Choose a Track
Each program contains 2–3 focused tracks. Pick the one that matches where you are and where you want to go.
Attend Sessions
Sessions run monthly. Each one builds on the last — this isn't a one-off talk series. It's structured learning with real continuity.
Build in the Lab
Every program connects to hands-on lab work. Build real environments, document your process, submit to our GitHub portfolio.
Earn a Portfolio Artifact
Completing a track produces something you own — a documented lab, a GitHub submission, a project you can show employers. This is the point.
Portfolio-First Learning
Every track produces something you own.
VanTUG programs are designed around a simple idea: when you finish a track, you should have something to show for it. Lab documentation. A GitHub repository. A project you built in a real environment. Not just a certificate — a portfolio artifact that demonstrates what you can actually do.
GitHub-based
All lab submissions live in our community GitHub org
Employer-visible
Portfolio artifacts are shared with our employer partner network
Yours to keep
Everything you build belongs to you — not to VanTUG
Design and operate the foundational systems that power modern organizations — networking, hardware, virtualization, and core architecture.
Tracks
Hybrid Infrastructure Design · Modern Datacenter Operations · Infrastructure Automation
Example Sessions
- →Designing Hybrid Infrastructure Architectures
- →Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Fundamentals
- →Observability & Monitoring for Infrastructure
- →High Availability & Resilience Patterns
Master cloud architecture, multi-cloud strategy, governance, and cost management for enterprise environments.
Tracks
Cloud Architecture Fundamentals · Multi-Cloud Operations · Cloud Governance & Cost Management
Example Sessions
- →Cloud Architecture Patterns for Enterprises
- →Hybrid Identity in Cloud Environments
- →Cloud Cost Optimization Strategies
- →Designing Secure Cloud Landing Zones
Build security depth across Zero Trust, identity, threat detection, and compliance frameworks for enterprise IT.
Tracks
Zero Trust Architecture · Security Operations (SOC) · Identity & Access Management
Example Sessions
- →Zero Trust Security Fundamentals
- →Conditional Access & Device Trust
- →Security Monitoring & Threat Detection
- →Identity as the New Security Perimeter
Apply AI and automation to modern IT operations — from data platform design to infrastructure monitoring and workflow automation.
Tracks
Data Platform Architecture · AI & Automation in IT Operations · Infrastructure Automation with AI
Example Sessions
- →Modern Data Platform Architecture
- →AI for Infrastructure Monitoring
- →Automating IT Workflows with AI Tools
- →Building Data Pipelines for Operations
Develop deep operational skills in monitoring, incident management, SRE practices, and service reliability.
Tracks
Infrastructure Monitoring & Observability · Incident Management & SRE Practices · IT Service Operations
Example Sessions
- →Observability in Modern Infrastructure
- →Incident Response & Post-Mortems
- →Service Reliability Engineering Fundamentals
- →Monitoring Cloud & Hybrid Environments
Build, document, and showcase real lab environments. Turn home lab work into portfolio-ready GitHub artifacts.
Tracks
HomeLab Builder Track · Cloud Lab Environment Track · Security Simulation Track
Example Sessions
- →Building a Hybrid HomeLab Environment
- →Deploying a Cloud Security Lab
- →Simulating Security Monitoring Workflows
- →Documenting Infrastructure Projects for Portfolio
Structured career tracks for IT professionals navigating role transitions, portfolio building, and long-term growth in enterprise technology.
Tracks
Cloud Engineer Career Path · Cybersecurity Career Path · Infrastructure Architect Career Path
Example Sessions
- →Transitioning from IT Support to Cloud Engineering
- →Building a Technical Portfolio for Infrastructure Roles
- →Understanding Enterprise Architecture Roles
- →Career Progression in Cybersecurity
Suggested Learning Journeys
Not sure where to start? These are three common paths members follow through our programs.
The Infrastructure-to-Cloud Path
IT admins and infrastructure engineers moving to cloud roles
The Security Specialist Path
Practitioners focused on building a cybersecurity career
The Career Transition Path
Professionals moving from IT support into engineering roles
Not sure which track is right for you?
Join the community on Luma and ask. Our members and leads are happy to help you find your path.
VISIT US ON LUMA >>Common Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about VanTUG programs.
No — but continuity helps. Each session is designed to stand alone, but members who follow a full track get significantly more value. The lab work especially builds session-to-session.
We're building toward a recorded session library. For now, live attendance is the primary format. Join us on Luma to get notified the moment recordings become available.
It depends on the program. Each card now shows a skill level indicator. IT Operations and HomeLabs are great entry points. Cybersecurity and Enterprise Infrastructure assume working practitioner experience.
The submission process is being finalized. Join the waitlist for your track and we'll send instructions when your cohort opens.
Yes — many members do. We'd suggest starting with one track and adding a second once you have the rhythm. The Career Pathways program pairs well with any technical track.
Yes. All VanTUG sessions are free to attend. We're a volunteer-run, community-funded organization. Sponsors support the infrastructure — not the content.