Virtual Assistance
Build the digital skills, tools knowledge, and professional confidence to work as a virtual assistant for businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Programme Overview
Our Virtual Assistance programme is a practical, career-focused introduction to the growing world of remote professional support. Participants learn the tools, systems, and skills used by working virtual assistants - from calendar and inbox management and document creation to social media scheduling, basic bookkeeping, customer support, and AI-powered productivity tools. This programme is designed to help people launch or formalise a VA career, whether employed or self-employed.
Virtual assistants provide remote administrative, operational, and creative support to businesses and entrepreneurs. It is one of the most accessible, flexible, and growing entry points into the digital economy. This programme gives participants the practical skills, tool knowledge, and professional confidence to operate as an effective VA across the full range of tasks that modern clients need - all from anywhere with an internet connection.
Duration
4–8 weeks
Format
Online & In-Person
What You'll Learn
- The VA role: services offered, client types, pricing models, and how to find clients
- Email and calendar management: Gmail, Outlook, Google Calendar, and Calendly
- Document creation and management: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Microsoft Office
- Social media scheduling and content support using tools like Buffer and Hootsuite
- Project and task management tools: Trello, Asana, Notion, and ClickUp
- Customer communication: email templates, professional tone, and CRM basics
- AI-powered productivity tools for VAs: ChatGPT, Grammarly, Canva AI, and automation tools
- Basic bookkeeping awareness: invoicing, expense tracking, and financial admin support
- Setting up as a freelance VA: contracts, rates, platforms (Upwork, Fiverr), and professional profile
- Digital security and confidentiality for remote working professionals
Who Is This For?
This programme was built for people who have been overlooked, left behind, or never shown the door in.
- You're a carer or parent who needs flexible work that fits around your responsibilities
- You took time out of work and want to come back on your own terms, from home.
- You've been doing admin for years and want to turn those skills into a proper digital income
- You're unemployed and want a realistic, achievable route to earning money online
- You want to work for yourself, set your own hours, and build something that's yours
Programme Benefits
- Completely free and open to everyone, especially those returning to work or seeking flexible income.
- Confidence to offer professional VA services to clients immediately after the programme
- Practical proficiency in the most commonly used tools across VA roles
- Understanding of how to set up, price, and market VA services as a freelancer
- Access to a supportive peer community of fellow VAs and ongoing resources
- Certificate of participation upon completion, supporting job applications and client proposals
Clear Pathway from Beginner to Job-Ready
This programme is structured across three progressive levels. You start at the beginning and build confidence, skills, and knowledge step by step.
Level 1 - Foundation
What you will cover
- Core concepts and terminology for the discipline
- Setting up your learning environment and tools
- Industry context: why this skill matters in the UK job market
- Guided introductory exercises and confidence building
- Understanding career roles and what employers look for
By the end of this level you will:
- Understand core concepts and career context
- Set up your tools and learning environment
- Build foundational confidence in the discipline
Level 2 - Intermediate
What you will cover
- Core technical skills applied to real-world scenarios
- Hands-on labs and guided practical exercises
- Industry-standard tools and workflows
- Collaborative activities and peer learning activities
- Building a portfolio of practical work
By the end of this level you will:
- Apply technical skills to real scenarios
- Build a portfolio of practical work
- Use industry-standard tools independently
Level 3 - Advanced Pathway
What you will cover
- Advanced techniques and real-world application
- Capstone project demonstrating end-to-end capability
- Industry certifications and further training pathways
- Mentorship, networking, and alumni community support
- Interview preparation and job application support
By the end of this level you will:
- Complete a capstone project
- Prepare for certifications or employment
- Progress into specialist roles or further training
Learning Approach
- Hands-on, practical training using real tools and scenarios
- Beginner-friendly delivery with no jargon or prior experience needed
- Guided labs, exercises, and step-by-step walkthroughs
- Supportive learning environment with peer and mentor access
- Online and in-person options to suit different needs and schedules
- Real-world examples drawn from industry and community contexts
Assessment & Certification
- Short quizzes and knowledge checks at the end of each module
- Practical tasks and mini-projects applied to real scenarios
- Guided reflection activities to consolidate learning
- Peer review and collaborative feedback exercises
- Certificate of Completion issued upon successful programme completion
Participants receive a certificate of completion. We are working towards recognised accreditation through industry and awarding bodies.
Progression Pathways
- Direct employment pathways in the UK digital economy
- Industry-recognised certifications in your specialist area
- Freelance and self-employment opportunities
- Progression to advanced technical programmes
- Mentorship, networking, and alumni community support
Expected Impact
What participants typically experience through this programme
Increased digital confidence and self-belief
Improved employability and job-readiness
Access to further education or training pathways
Reduced digital exclusion for people facing real barriers
Practical, real-world skill development from day one
Recognition of achievement through a certificate of completion
What You Gain
Real, measurable outcomes from Virtual Assistance. Skills, confidence, and clear pathways forward.
The VA role
services offered, client types, pricing models, and how to find clients
Email and calendar management
Gmail, Outlook, Google Calendar, and Calendly
Document creation and management
Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Microsoft Office
Outcome 4
Social media scheduling and content support using tools like Buffer and Hootsuite
Project and task management tools
Trello, Asana, Notion, and ClickUp
Customer communication
email templates, professional tone, and CRM basics
AI-powered productivity tools for VAs
ChatGPT, Grammarly, Canva AI, and automation tools
Basic bookkeeping awareness
invoicing, expense tracking, and financial admin support
Setting up as a freelance VA
contracts, rates, platforms (Upwork, Fiverr), and professional profile
Outcome 10
Digital security and confidentiality for remote working professionals
Every outcome is tracked and reported, so funders, partners, and participants can see the real difference Virtual Assistance makes.
Virtual Assistance
Registration for this programme is not currently open. Get advance notice of the next dates below.
Please email info@globalinnovationhub.org.uk if you would like to be the first to know when we have confirmed the next dates for this course.
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