Get the Skills for a Professional Career as a Virtual Assistant
Focus College's Virtual Assistant Course sets you up for a long, successful career working from home.
26 Week Hands-On Virtual Assistant Course
If you are interested in an administrative support position that can be performed at home or on-site, this program is for you! You will learn how to effectively use computers and Microsoft programs to efficiently perform your duties. You will also be introduced to Accounting & Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online, Business Writing, Effective Communications, Marketing, Human Resources, Project Management, Event Planning, and so much more! This program is jam-packed full of training to set you up for success to work for a company or start your own Virtual Assistant business!
One of the greatest advantages of working as a Virtual Assistant is that you can work in any industry! Your skills are transferable from one industry to another, which is great for job security.
The Right Place for Training
✓ Our Virtual Assistant Course has been reviewed by the Canadian Association of Virtual Assistants (CAVA)
✓ The program sets you up for entry into mid-level administrative positions immediately after graduation.
✓ You have 26 weeks to complete the program (extensions may be available) and you can study in the privacy of your own home or learn on campus.
✓ You can be ready to start your new career in just over half a year (sooner if you have previous experience and fast-track).
Why Take a Virtual Assistant Course?
The number one reason for developing this program was that employers were asking us for a program that teaches the fundamental skills needed to work from home. They also require a broad range of skills, and Focus College's Virtual Assistant Course does just that!
This program was designed according to recommendations from industry experts for training that will allow new graduates to successfully enter the workforce.
Having comprehensive training in Microsoft Office, Windows, Bookkeeping, and Project Management (among other things) can greatly improve your employability. Having these skills, and proof that you got them from a thorough training program, can put you at the top of the hiring list.
Can I graduate faster?
Absolutely! One of the best parts about our Virtual Assistant Course is that you can complete it at your pace. This means you can graduate in as little as three months. If you believe you have enough knowledge in a certain area, you can attempt the quiz, and move ahead; there is nothing holding you back from completing your Virtual Assistant Course faster.
Course Information
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Duties that revolve around administrative support and reception duties
- Efficient management of office operations
- Organizing meetings, appointments, and meeting minutes
- Maintaining contact lists and producing correspondence
- Producing reports and maintaining records
- Development and maintenance of filing systems
- Basic bookkeeping and accounting skills
- Marketing and event planning basics
- Time management skills
- Grammar and communication in business
- Booking travel
- The role of the Administrative/Virtual Assistant in today’s industry
- Career development
- Text expansion software
- Human Resources
This Virtual Assistant course has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
CURRICULUM
This chapter in the Virtual Assistant Course introduces the key concepts within the program and teaches students about the new career they are embarking on.
In this chapter, students will learn the basics of creating an office routine and the importance of keeping consistency in it. Along with this, students will learn about different office equipment that is most commonly used in an office space.
In this chapter in the Virtual Assistant course the student will become familiar with basic computer skills, including the use of hardware, software, peripherals, and wireless technology; use of the internet as a resource; and use of various methods for data storage and networking.
In this robust chapter, students learn Microsoft Office 2016. Students will learn how to use the most common Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Students will also learn about online Microsoft products.
The purpose of this chapter is to teach students the basics of online security. Ensuring that your computer is safe from outside intruders is crucial in today’s online world.
Chapter 6 in the Virtual Assistant course will teach students about the science of designing a workspace to be both as safe and productive as possible. This chapter touches on reducing muscular-skeletal issues one may face while working in an office or at home.
In this chapter, students will learn how to maintain, store, and keep accurate records. Students will investigate confidentiality, centralized and decentralized filing systems and much more.
This chapter is meant to both refresh students on English and grammar skills that may have been lost over the years. Students will learn about proper sentence structure, punctuation, and sound alike words; among other things.
This chapter is designed to teach students how to properly formulate business documents and to teach students about the basics of legal documents. Ensuring legal and business documents are properly managed is an important role both Administrative Assistants and Virtual Assistants play in the working world.
As a result of completing this chapter, students will understand the most common ways to ship, and how to adequately ship business documents. This chapter also teaches students about converting weights and measurements from imperial to metric systems.
This chapter in the Virtual Assistant program teaches students how to book travel for company partners and employees. Virtual Assistants play an important role in ensuring the correct people are traveling at the right time and to the right place.
In this chapter, students will learn how to communicate with others. This involves public speaking and listening skills. Your career as an Virtual Assistant may involve speaking to employees, company partners and clients, so gaining an understanding of effective communication can improve your employability.
Administrative Assistants / Virtual Assistants are often involved in numerous meetings weekly, and this chapter is designed to teach students about meetings and how to properly take meeting minutes. This chapter provides students with a text expander to help increase typing speeds as well as teaching students about time management.
This chapter plays an important role for those students wanting to become a Virtual Assistant and work as an entrepreneur or contractor. Also, this chapter will help those wanting to become an Administrative Assistant work with the accounting and bookkeeping team. This chapter teaches students the fundamentals of accounting and how to use Quickbooks Online Accounting software.
This chapter teaches students the basic components of Human Resources and how to best manage employees. Students will learn about recruitment, retention, discipline and how to keep employees happy.
The marketing chapter in the Virtual Assistant Course teaches students about managing social media platforms and how to target the correct clients. Students will gain insight into Google AdWords, landing pages and tracking leads.
This chapter in the Virtual Assistant course, students will learn how to plan an event and how to manage projects. Administrative Assistants / Virtual Assistants are often involved in planning events such as Christmas parties and staff events. Gaining an understanding of how to manage a project will help the student successfully transition into a new career.
In this final chapter, students will learn about gaining employment. This includes how to write a resume and cover letter and how interviews are designed. Students will learn about online and in-person interviews and how to stand above the crowd in the eyes of the employer.
Final Exam
TUITION:
Fees apply to all locations at which the program is offered.
| Tuition | $2265.00 |
| Application Fee: | $250.00 |
| Administrative Fee: | $100.00 |
| Textbook Fee: | $500.00 |
| Materials Fee: | $100.00 |
| Other Fee: | $30.00 |
| Testing/Assessment Fee: | $250.00 |
| Total: | $3495.00 |
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent qualification or mature student (aged 19 or more at the start of the program).
- If English is not a student’s mother tongue, they are required to have an IELTS level of 6.0 OR equivalent (in case of other testing standards) to be admitted to the course. A list of our currently accepted English proficiency tests is attached with the program outlines in Appendix A.
- A copy of a government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or other, which shows the student’s date of birth, must also be supplied.
- Students must complete our typing test, confirming that they meet our minimum typing speed of 30 NWPM (net words per minute).
- All distance learning students must complete a Distance Learning Assessment. Students must have a computer with Internet access (high speed is recommended) for distance learning. Computer specifications are listed below.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
If you take the Virtual Assistant Course on campus, everything is provided.
If you take the Virtual Assistant Course via distance learning, it is recommended to complete the program on a Windows PC. Apple computers are compatible, however, Microsoft Office Training from the point of view of a Windows computer. You are required to have the Microsoft Office suite installed on your computer.
You must have a computer with speakers and Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, and Excel) on your computer. An internet speed of 15 Mbps download, and 10 Mbps upload is recommended.
We also recommend that you use the latest version of either Firefox or Chrome as your browser.
FAQ:
Canada
Glassdoor estimates that the Canadian national average in Canada for an Administrative Assistant is around $44,000 per year. They also estimate that you can earn between $30,000 and $57,000 which is dependant on your training and experience levels. As you gain more experience you can move into the Executive Assistant role, which has a median salary of $54,000 and a range between $37,000 and $84,000.
Virtual Assistants are more often paid hourly as contractors working from home. Payscale estimates the median hourly starting wage for a VA is around $20.00 per hour. The range varies depending on your specialization. Similar to that of an Administrative Assistant, the more experience and training you have, the more you can earn!
United States
Payscale states that the median hourly wage for an Administrative Assistant is around $15.00 with an average range between $11.44 and $21.36 per hour.
Virtual Assistants earn a median hourly wage of $15.80 as reported by Payscale. VA’s commonly earn up to $29.84 within the first few years. With more training and experience, the more potential for growth you have!
There are many ways to find employment or contract work as a Virtual Assistant. Many VAs find work through websites such as UpWork, a website designed to help connect companies to Virtual Assistants looking for freelance work. Other companies include FancyHands, AssistantMatch, Zirtual, Virtual Gal Friday and Worldwide 101 just to name a few.
Another great way to find work contract work is to leverage your network and find “friends of friends” who are looking for assistance at their company. Going this route you can create your own company and become an entrepreneur! You can even hire other Virtual Assistants to complete work for you on a contract or employment basis as you grow your company.
Yes! This is one of the many perks you have access to as a Virtual Assistant who works from home! You can write off part of your lease/rent, internet, paper, pens, office supplies, and even part of your cell/home phone bills. This helps you save money on your taxes every year!
We are very proud to offer unlimited resume and cover letter assistance to our AA/VA graduates. After graduation, you can come back to Focus College and we will help you reassess your resume and cover letter to ensure you stand out in the interview process! Whether you come back to us 2, 5, 10, or 20 years after graduation, we will be here to help. Unlimited truly means for life!
1. If the institution receives tuition from the student or a person on behalf of the student, the institution will refund the student or the person who paid on behalf of the student, the tuition that was paid for the program in which the student is enrolled if:
(a) the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from the student no later than seven days after the effective contract date and before the contract start date.
(b) the student, or the student’s parent or legal guardian, signs the student enrolment contract seven days or less before the contract start date and the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from the student between the date the student, or the student’s parent or legal guardian, signed the student enrolment contract and the contract start date or
(c) the student does not attend a work experience component and the institution does not provide all of the hours of instruction of the work experience component within 30 days of the contract end date.
2. The institution will refund the tuition for the program and all related fees paid by the student or a person on behalf of the student enrolled in the program if the student is enrolled in the program without having met the admission requirements and did not misrepresent his or her knowledge or skills when applying for admission.
3. If a student does not attend any of the first 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition paid under the student enrolment contract unless the program is provided solely through distance education.
4. Unless the program is provided solely through distance education, if the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from a student:
(a) more than seven days after the effective contract date and
i. at least 30 days before the contract start date, the institution may retain up to 10% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,000.
ii. less than 30 days before the contract start date, the institution may retain up to 20% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,300.
(b) after the contract start date
i. and up to and including 10% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
ii. and after more than 10% but before 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
5. Unless the program is provided solely through distance education, if the institution provides a notice of dismissal to a student and the date the institution delivers the notice to the student is:
(a) equal to or before 10% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
(b) after 10% but before 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
6. If the institution provides the program solely through distance education and the institution receives a student’s notice of withdrawal or the institution delivers a notice of dismissal to the student and:
(a) the student has completed and received an evaluation of his or her performance for up to 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, or
(b) the student has completed and received an evaluation of his or her performance for more than 30% but less than 50% of the program, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
7. The institution will refund fees charged for course materials paid for but not received if the student provides a notice of withdrawal to the institution or the institution provides a notice of dismissal to the student.
8. Refunds required under this policy will be paid to the student or a person who paid the tuition or fees on behalf of the student, within 30 days:
(a) of the date, the institution receives a student’s notice of withdrawal,
(b) of the date, the institution provides a notice of dismissal to the student,
(c) of the date that the registrar provides notice to the institution that the institution is not complying with section 1(c) or 2 of this policy, or
(d) after the first 30% of the hours of instruction if section 3 of this policy applies.
9. If an international student delivers a copy of a refusal of a study permit to the institution, sections 1(a), 1(b), 4, 7, and 8 of this policy apply as if the copy of the refusal were a notice of withdrawal, unless:
(a) the international student requests an additional letter of acceptance for the same program that was the subject of the refusal of a study permit, or
(b) the program is provided solely through distance education.
Course Information
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Duties that revolve around administrative support and reception duties
- Efficient management of office operations
- Organizing meetings, appointments, and meeting minutes
- Maintaining contact lists and producing correspondence
- Producing reports and maintaining records
- Development and maintenance of filing systems
- Basic bookkeeping and accounting skills
- Marketing and event planning basics
- Time management skills
- Grammar and communication in business
- Booking travel
- The role of the Administrative/Virtual Assistant in today’s industry
- Career development
- Text expansion software
- Human Resources
This Virtual Assistant course has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
CURRICULUM
This chapter in the Virtual Assistant Course introduces the key concepts within the program and teaches students about the new career they are embarking on.
In this chapter, students will learn the basics of creating an office routine and the importance of keeping consistency in it. Along with this, students will learn about different office equipment that is most commonly used in an office space.
In this chapter in the Virtual Assistant course the student will become familiar with basic computer skills, including the use of hardware, software, peripherals, and wireless technology; use of the internet as a resource; and use of various methods for data storage and networking.
In this robust chapter, students learn Microsoft Office 2016. Students will learn how to use the most common Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Students will also learn about online Microsoft products.
The purpose of this chapter is to teach students the basics of online security. Ensuring that your computer is safe from outside intruders is crucial in today’s online world.
Chapter 6 in the Virtual Assistant course will teach students about the science of designing a workspace to be both as safe and productive as possible. This chapter touches on reducing muscular-skeletal issues one may face while working in an office or at home.
In this chapter, students will learn how to maintain, store, and keep accurate records. Students will investigate confidentiality, centralized and decentralized filing systems and much more.
This chapter is meant to both refresh students on English and grammar skills that may have been lost over the years. Students will learn about proper sentence structure, punctuation, and sound alike words; among other things.
This chapter is designed to teach students how to properly formulate business documents and to teach students about the basics of legal documents. Ensuring legal and business documents are properly managed is an important role both Administrative Assistants and Virtual Assistants play in the working world.
As a result of completing this chapter, students will understand the most common ways to ship, and how to adequately ship business documents. This chapter also teaches students about converting weights and measurements from imperial to metric systems.
This chapter in the Virtual Assistant program teaches students how to book travel for company partners and employees. Virtual Assistants play an important role in ensuring the correct people are traveling at the right time and to the right place.
In this chapter, students will learn how to communicate with others. This involves public speaking and listening skills. Your career as an Virtual Assistant may involve speaking to employees, company partners and clients, so gaining an understanding of effective communication can improve your employability.
Administrative Assistants / Virtual Assistants are often involved in numerous meetings weekly, and this chapter is designed to teach students about meetings and how to properly take meeting minutes. This chapter provides students with a text expander to help increase typing speeds as well as teaching students about time management.
This chapter plays an important role for those students wanting to become a Virtual Assistant and work as an entrepreneur or contractor. Also, this chapter will help those wanting to become an Administrative Assistant work with the accounting and bookkeeping team. This chapter teaches students the fundamentals of accounting and how to use Quickbooks Online Accounting software.
This chapter teaches students the basic components of Human Resources and how to best manage employees. Students will learn about recruitment, retention, discipline and how to keep employees happy.
The marketing chapter in the Virtual Assistant Course teaches students about managing social media platforms and how to target the correct clients. Students will gain insight into Google AdWords, landing pages and tracking leads.
This chapter in the Virtual Assistant course, students will learn how to plan an event and how to manage projects. Administrative Assistants / Virtual Assistants are often involved in planning events such as Christmas parties and staff events. Gaining an understanding of how to manage a project will help the student successfully transition into a new career.
In this final chapter, students will learn about gaining employment. This includes how to write a resume and cover letter and how interviews are designed. Students will learn about online and in-person interviews and how to stand above the crowd in the eyes of the employer.
Final Exam
TUITION:
Fees apply to all locations at which the program is offered.
| Tuition | $2265.00 |
| Application Fee: | $250.00 |
| Administrative Fee: | $100.00 |
| Textbook Fee: | $500.00 |
| Materials Fee: | $100.00 |
| Other Fee: | $30.00 |
| Testing/Assessment Fee: | $250.00 |
| Total: | $3495.00 |
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent qualification or mature student (aged 19 or more at the start of the program).
- If English is not a student’s mother tongue, they are required to have an IELTS level of 6.0 OR equivalent (in case of other testing standards) to be admitted to the course. A list of our currently accepted English proficiency tests is attached with the program outlines in Appendix A.
- A copy of a government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or other, which shows the student’s date of birth, must also be supplied.
- Students must complete our typing test, confirming that they meet our minimum typing speed of 30 NWPM (net words per minute).
- All distance learning students must complete a Distance Learning Assessment. Students must have a computer with Internet access (high speed is recommended) for distance learning. Computer specifications are listed below.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
If you take the Virtual Assistant Course on campus, everything is provided.
If you take the Virtual Assistant Course via distance learning, it is recommended to complete the program on a Windows PC. Apple computers are compatible, however, Microsoft Office Training from the point of view of a Windows computer. You are required to have the Microsoft Office suite installed on your computer.
You must have a computer with speakers and Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, and Excel) on your computer. An internet speed of 15 Mbps download, and 10 Mbps upload is recommended.
We also recommend that you use the latest version of either Firefox or Chrome as your browser.
FAQ:
Canada
Glassdoor estimates that the Canadian national average in Canada for an Administrative Assistant is around $44,000 per year. They also estimate that you can earn between $30,000 and $57,000 which is dependant on your training and experience levels. As you gain more experience you can move into the Executive Assistant role, which has a median salary of $54,000 and a range between $37,000 and $84,000.
Virtual Assistants are more often paid hourly as contractors working from home. Payscale estimates the median hourly starting wage for a VA is around $20.00 per hour. The range varies depending on your specialization. Similar to that of an Administrative Assistant, the more experience and training you have, the more you can earn!
United States
Payscale states that the median hourly wage for an Administrative Assistant is around $15.00 with an average range between $11.44 and $21.36 per hour.
Virtual Assistants earn a median hourly wage of $15.80 as reported by Payscale. VA’s commonly earn up to $29.84 within the first few years. With more training and experience, the more potential for growth you have!
There are many ways to find employment or contract work as a Virtual Assistant. Many VAs find work through websites such as UpWork, a website designed to help connect companies to Virtual Assistants looking for freelance work. Other companies include FancyHands, AssistantMatch, Zirtual, Virtual Gal Friday and Worldwide 101 just to name a few.
Another great way to find work contract work is to leverage your network and find “friends of friends” who are looking for assistance at their company. Going this route you can create your own company and become an entrepreneur! You can even hire other Virtual Assistants to complete work for you on a contract or employment basis as you grow your company.
Yes! This is one of the many perks you have access to as a Virtual Assistant who works from home! You can write off part of your lease/rent, internet, paper, pens, office supplies, and even part of your cell/home phone bills. This helps you save money on your taxes every year!
We are very proud to offer unlimited resume and cover letter assistance to our AA/VA graduates. After graduation, you can come back to Focus College and we will help you reassess your resume and cover letter to ensure you stand out in the interview process! Whether you come back to us 2, 5, 10, or 20 years after graduation, we will be here to help. Unlimited truly means for life!
1. If the institution receives tuition from the student or a person on behalf of the student, the institution will refund the student or the person who paid on behalf of the student, the tuition that was paid for the program in which the student is enrolled if:
(a) the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from the student no later than seven days after the effective contract date and before the contract start date.
(b) the student, or the student’s parent or legal guardian, signs the student enrolment contract seven days or less before the contract start date and the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from the student between the date the student, or the student’s parent or legal guardian, signed the student enrolment contract and the contract start date or
(c) the student does not attend a work experience component and the institution does not provide all of the hours of instruction of the work experience component within 30 days of the contract end date.
2. The institution will refund the tuition for the program and all related fees paid by the student or a person on behalf of the student enrolled in the program if the student is enrolled in the program without having met the admission requirements and did not misrepresent his or her knowledge or skills when applying for admission.
3. If a student does not attend any of the first 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition paid under the student enrolment contract unless the program is provided solely through distance education.
4. Unless the program is provided solely through distance education, if the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from a student:
(a) more than seven days after the effective contract date and
i. at least 30 days before the contract start date, the institution may retain up to 10% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,000.
ii. less than 30 days before the contract start date, the institution may retain up to 20% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,300.
(b) after the contract start date
i. and up to and including 10% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
ii. and after more than 10% but before 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
5. Unless the program is provided solely through distance education, if the institution provides a notice of dismissal to a student and the date the institution delivers the notice to the student is:
(a) equal to or before 10% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
(b) after 10% but before 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
6. If the institution provides the program solely through distance education and the institution receives a student’s notice of withdrawal or the institution delivers a notice of dismissal to the student and:
(a) the student has completed and received an evaluation of his or her performance for up to 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, or
(b) the student has completed and received an evaluation of his or her performance for more than 30% but less than 50% of the program, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.
7. The institution will refund fees charged for course materials paid for but not received if the student provides a notice of withdrawal to the institution or the institution provides a notice of dismissal to the student.
8. Refunds required under this policy will be paid to the student or a person who paid the tuition or fees on behalf of the student, within 30 days:
(a) of the date, the institution receives a student’s notice of withdrawal,
(b) of the date, the institution provides a notice of dismissal to the student,
(c) of the date that the registrar provides notice to the institution that the institution is not complying with section 1(c) or 2 of this policy, or
(d) after the first 30% of the hours of instruction if section 3 of this policy applies.
9. If an international student delivers a copy of a refusal of a study permit to the institution, sections 1(a), 1(b), 4, 7, and 8 of this policy apply as if the copy of the refusal were a notice of withdrawal, unless:
(a) the international student requests an additional letter of acceptance for the same program that was the subject of the refusal of a study permit, or
(b) the program is provided solely through distance education.
