Hello,

I am trying to decide whether or not I should invest money in formal Virtual Assistant Training Program/Certification from schools such as AssistU.

Does anyone have any input, experiences, pros vs cons, etc. they are willing to share with me?

Hi and welcome to the forums
I haven't personally taken any VA training courses or certifications. There's a thread on the boards that you will certainly find helpful and interesting entitled VA Training Courses - have you taken any? Just click the link to read through the various replies. I hope that helps Surely, others will reply here with further input for you too!

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You might try checking out your local trade schools for training as well. I know my local Metro Tech has Business Start Up classes for $25.00. They have a great selection too, for everything from how to set your business up, small business bookkeeping, marketing, networking, how to create business plans, etc. They even have classes on Microsoft Office, Photoshop (I'm going to be taking this one), QuickBooks and other programs commonly used in business.

I have not taken any of the VA training courses, but I've heard good things about AssistU. Personally, I would feel more comfortable getting my training from an accredited school. A business is a business, virtual or not.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I've heard good things about assistU as well. However, there are other certificate programs that will consider your experience and qualifications (education level), website etc. Training from an accredited school is a smart way to go in my opinion.

Shirlene

Hello!

A lot of local colleges are adding courses on Virtual Assistance to their course schedules. You could do a quick search on the college websites to see if your local schools are offering them. That might be a good way to go if you want to do an evening course or some form of training that is in-person.

I don't know anyone personally who has gone through Assist U but I have definitely heard of them before and they seem reputable.

Good luck in your search!

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Sincerely,

Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC

I would be curious to know who you go with, as I am considering training and certification as well.. Have you heard of VOT (Virtual Office Temps)?

Tammy you might want to check out this thread for info on VOTVirtual Office Temps - feedback on VOT?

I personally have not taken any courses geared towards VA's or have any certificates. I have a business degree and have extensive real world experience. IMO running a successful company (my husbands) was more valuable then any course I could have taken.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I am taking classes at a local community college that are teaching me skills I don't have or need brushed up on. Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash, Ohio has a Virtual Assistant Capstone class, given by a Virtual Assistant and I'm thinking of taking it. I'm also thinking of becoming Microsoft Office Certified. My reasoning is this; the more credentials I have the more apt I am at obtaining funding to build my practice.

Hope this helps!
Viki

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Need Help? Ask Viki!

I'm have a certificate 4 in business administration and am currently getting a diploma in small business management (through Tafe NSW) This covers bookkeeping, powerpoint and a range of other skills. I would also like to get Microsoft Certified.
I think it is better to look into courses that target the area's you want to specialize in as this is what your future clients will be interested in.
I haven't done any VA specific training and I don't have anything against it I just don't know how much it would really mean to a client looking at your proposal.