There’s a discussion going on amongst the ‘senior’ VA members of our industry currently. We’re concerned about the number of new VA courses popping up claiming to be ‘certified’. It’s important for you all to know that there is no industry standard (as yet) and therefore there is no industry certification.
Some of the VA Associations in different countries have talked about it from time to time, and I believe the time is coming when these associations will do something about ‘industry standards’. But until that time there is NO course that is industry certified. There’s a big difference between receiving a Certificate for doing a VA course versus being listed as ‘industry certified’.
Some years ago, when I was running the only VA network in Australia I did provide ASO = Australian Secretary Online, whereby applicants had to meet certain criteria to be listed as an ASO. This was based on a process I had studied and experienced through an industry association at the time (1990s). That included education, references, experience and so on. I had an external board of people who processed the applications and marked them – it wasn’t done by me as an individual. They had a range of business experience and marked according to the criteria that had been created. During those years there was also MVA = Master Virtual Assistant of which I was a recipient as well. I did have to pass criteria to receive it. I later launched the first VA Course in Australia and the second in the world (to my knowledge at the time). The other one in the USA was launched the same month as mine – we later wondered if we should have collaborated but neither knew the other was working on the same thing. That person was Fred Gandee, who sadly is no longer with us. Fred, and his wife Shirley, founded the International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA) in 1999.
However, today, because the industry has grown so much it seems that anyone can decide to set up a course, a pretty site and open their doors as a VA educator. I want to urge you to be aware that not all of these people have walked their talk or have the experience behind them. It is so important to check who is providing a course, their background experience and knowledge of the industry – not just what is being provided. We’ve all heard the stats about how a large percentage of businesses fail in the first 5 years. While granted, more survive now, than some years ago, it’s still 50% that fail in the first five years.
[Quote: It’s often said that more than half of new businesses fail during the first year. According to the Small Business Association (SBA), this isn’t necessarily true. The SBA states that only 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, 50% during the first five years and 66% during the first 10. end quote]
How can someone who’s been a VA for only one or two years provide a course teaching you what is needed to grow a successful VA business? It would be wise to check that they have put in the hours to gain the relevant experience to teach you what you need to know to successfully build a VA business. It will be interesting to see if these courses and their owners are still in the industry in another 4-5 years’ time. Some may be, others won’t.
Kathie is the former owner of VA Directory and is former past President of the Australian VA Association. She founded the Virtual Assistant industry in Australia in the mid 90s, having already been operating a home-based secretarial service. Today the VA industry covers a multitude of office-based services for clients worldwide.
Susan Mershon says
Well said Kathie and could not agree more. It’s important that people coming into the industry understand there is no industry standard or accredited certification. Know what you’re paying for, who’s delivering it and if it’s their own course or if they bought it to use as their own (PLR).
Lyn Prowse-Bishop says
Absolutely! There’s a difference between “industry certified” and a certificate from a course or an association certification. VACertified.com on whose board I sit as the Australian rep was the first to try and cover a number of country standards, but as you correctly say there is no industry standard and as such there cannot be an industry recognised certification. Anyone can say anything these days ? I’ve even seen VAs who have been in business only a few years claim they are the “first” or “only” to receive a particular certification when I know for a fact they aren’t … In one instance because I was! You can imagine my surprise! ?? Do your due diligence!
Yolanda Crowley says
Thanks so much for sharing this, Kathie! This needed to be said!
Rosie Shilo says
Absolutely agree. Taking steps over the first couple of years is awesome but it doesn’t make you a teacher. You need time to fail and get back up before you start training others.
Vanessa Marrama says
Having a quality background myself, I wonder if/how we could create some standards that VA’s can aim to achieve and operate towards…? Just putting it out there…
Kathie Thomas says
This is something that has been discussed by a number of senior VAs on and off over the past few years and discussions are still happening as to the best way to handle it, as the industry is global, not just one country.
Christiane Jechoux says
I totally agree. Something needs to be done. I’ve seen it happen too often in certain SM groups, where a ‘young’ VA claims she has all the answers, and if you take her course, voila, you’ll be a Master VA and what not…
That burns me. And what bugs me even most, is that the younger Vas, not knowing any better…and for none of their faults, fall for this kind misrepresentation.
I’ve been in business long enough to know the hard work and gained experience it takes, to properly run this type of business…
And this is not the way to go.
Also, I’m all for the idea that a ‘worldwide’ organization should be created, where VA’s from each country would be represented. We need it not only on a ‘county’ level but also internationally…
Our industry is there for the long run…
Effie Katrakazos says
I’ve been a professional Executive Administrator for over 15 years in both Education and Media and I find it astounding that VA trainers are popping up all over the country, creating what I term “appropriating” business tools training for financial gain. As a VA, I can see right through the soft and hard sell strategies and the obvious lack of actual experience, but it does concern me that these “trainers” are creating courses from an entrepreneurial angle which only skim the complexity of business administration, technology and law.