VA Essentials

Name: VA Essentials Training Course Online, Glasgow & Edinburgh | Pitman Training
Author: admin

About the Course

You’ll look at the complete picture of the role of a Virtual Assistant. You’ll look further into the career and lifestyle of a VA, necessary attributes for the role, business plans, equipment and software, legal requirements, risk management, data protection, finance and marketing, the delivery of the VA service and much more.

The course is accessed online so you can study at a time and place convenient to you. You’ll have the support of our Course Advisors if you need it, and once you’ve completed the course, you’ll gain a Pitman Training Certificate to validate the knowledge gained.

Course Info

Duration 4 HOURS (Actual course duration will vary from individual to individual, based on prior skills and application)

Training Type Course

Study Type In centre, Online

Awards & Qualifications

Awarded 4 CPD points upon successful completion

Discounted Training

CITB Members can receive a special discounted rate on our training courses – Click to find out more

Is this course right for me?

If you’re thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant, our VA Essentials course will help give you a rounded overview of what is involved in running your own business as a Virtual Assistant.

Is this course for you?

This course would be great for anyone looking to start their own business working as a Virtual Assistant.

Awarded 4 CPD points upon successful completion

Duration 4 HOURS (Actual course duration will vary from individual to individual, based on prior skills and application)

Course Content

In this online course there are 5 modules:

Module One – Introduction – This module includes an introduction to who the Virtual Assistant is and the role they perform; the VA’s potential client and case studies.

Module Two – Becoming a VA – In this module you’ll cover the reasons to become a VA; business goals; the attributes necessary to be a VA; the career and lifestyle; peer support.

Module Three – Starting up a Business – You’ll look at the business plan; types of business; your office location; equipment and software; business name; legal requirements; risk management; insurance; data protection; finance; accounting/tax/IR35; marketing and USPs.

Module Four Providing the Service – The fourth module looks at the initial contact; consultation preparation; consultation structure; safety; structuring services and packages; the contract; customer care; hours and charging; legal responsibilities regarding clients; complaints; recommendations; cover and contingency.

Module Five Summary – The final module gives a course round up and you’ll have the opportunity to test yourself on the knowledge learnt.

Course Overview

Aims and Objectives

VA Essentials is designed to give you an excellent insight into the role of a Virtual Assistant and look at everything the role comprises, from not only delivering the VA service to clients, but also covering all aspects of running your own business.

Career Path

Further study on a wider range of subjects such as bookkeeping, marketing and social media can lead to a full and rewarding career as a self-employed Virtual Assistant.

Pre-Requisites

There are no pre-requisites required for this course.

September 2026

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Testimonials

‘I found this course hugely beneficial. I have just taken on a training aspect to my current role and the skills gained on this course have given me the confidence to approach the training sessions in a much more positive way.
This course gave me both the knowledge of how to put a training session together, and insight into the different approaches and skills used to deliver the training. I particularly found the practical aspect of the course useful. Throughout the three days, we not only learnt ‘how’ to do various tasks, but actually did, and evaluated them’.

MC—-Project Officer

Organisations Testimonials, Train the Trainer

“I enrolled with Pitman in August 2008, having been made redundant from my job as a Legal Secretary in July 2008. I studied the Pitman Upgrade to Fast Track Microsoft Skills Diploma. When I returned to work in 2000 having raised my family, I was unfamiliar with computers I undertook a very basic computer course and was lucky to be offered a part time job with a local Solicitors, but I always felt there was so much more to Word and Excel that I did not know. Having spent six months at Pitman doing the above course, I was lucky enough to get a part time job as a typist/receptionist with W R Hall, Chartered Surveyors. Although this job is very different to my last one, I have been able to make use of the skills I learned on your course, especially with Word and Excel.
Having been a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years, in August 2009 I was offered an admin job. I needed to use Access and could confidently do this having completed my training in that as well. I now have two part time jobs which keeps me very busy! I feel sure that I would not have been offered the second admin job if I had not learned Access, as this takes up a great part of my working hours.
I really enjoyed my time at Pitman. The staff were really friendly and helpful and it was a very professional environment to be in. It certainly got me through the six months I was unemployed, as it felt almost like going out to work on the days I attended the Training Centre.”

HG – Fast Track Diploma

General Diploma, Microsoft Office, Private Individuals

Fantastic!

Nic – Senior Pilot/OSM – Report Writing

General PD, Organisations Testimonials, Report Writing

“I relocated to Scotland after teaching English abroad for 15 years. Unable to find similar work here, I spent an anxious 12 months as an office temp, eventually gaining a permanent position as an admin assistant at a law firm in Glasgow. I carried out the usual range of tasks – photocopying, filing, distributing faxes. Although happy to have a job and appreciating its positive qualities, I felt held back – both in my own workplace and on the job market as a whole – by my lack of IT and keyboard skills.
One happy day I made an appointment to see Linda Morrison at the Glasgow Pitman Training Centre. Linda understood my frustration and recommended the Diploma in Business Skills, a qualification that combined basic keyboard training with Microsoft Office courses, plus Effective Business Communication and an elective (from a wide range of options, I chose ‘Get Into HR’).
There were eight modules in all and the sessions had to be fitted in around a full-time job and busy family life. Ultimately I took 18 months to complete it all but felt very proud when I took home my Diploma. I’m still working for the same firm but now run the library and deputise for the Archivist in his absence. My daily work is far more interesting and varied than it once was, and that fact – combined with the high unemployment brought about by the recession – means that I’m not interested in changing jobs in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to be flexible in these hard times and to be able to offer additional skills if need be. I don’t regret the time and energy I put into my courses – they’ve given me tremendous self-confidence and a great sense of relief that I’m no longer left behind or marginalised by my lack of knowledge.
I’ve already recommended the Glasgow Pitman Training Centre to a number of friends and am happy to do so again. I’d also like to put on record my thanks to all the staff for their cheerful help and unfailing moral support throughout my training.”

MF – Diploma

General Diploma, Private Individuals

“I have recently just completed the ‘Accounting Technician Diploma’ which was fantastic. This Diploma was great as it enabled me to get a good insight into each course required to work in an accounting environment.
Before my training I was living and working abroad in Spain and France, were I was learning the local language and teaching English to both adults and children.
On my return to Scotland I started my own small business as franchisee for ‘La Jolie Ronde’ where I am a Licensee for the company. I actually found this business opportunity whilst still living abroad in France on line and applied from there.
When I just started this business 3 years ago my knowledge of how to keep my books under control to help view profits and fill tax returns was nonexistent, but now thanks to the course at Pitman I am in full control of my accounts : )
I may also want to widen my job options as my business is only part time, I am thinking of possibly applying for account assistant positions in the near future and I am sure with my training at Pitman and my Certificate to back it up, I should have a good chance of securing employment.
I enjoyed my learning experience so much at Pitman
The staff that work there are all so lovely and very helpful, and I am sure you will see me again in the future back to study another course.
Thanks a lot for all your help.”

SB – Accounting Technician Diploma

Book-Keeping, General Diploma, Private Individuals

The training course helped me to build on my degree and specialise in Microsoft Skills to help me find employment in the computer support and administration industry. I enjoyed being able to get a “hands on” approach from the course.

M H – IT Systems Administrator

Private Individuals

VA Essentials

VA Essentials

Course Info

Awards & Qualifications

Discounted Training

Is this course right for me?

Course Content

Course Overview

September 2026

Microsoft Power BI Introduction -Tutor Led

Assertiveness – 1-day Workshop

A.I in the Workplace – 1-day Workshop

Management Skills – 1-day Workshop

MS Project Introduction – Tutor Led

Negotiation Skills – 1-day Workshop

PowerPoint Advanced – Tutor Led

Telephone Techniques – 1-day Workshop

Microsoft Word Intermediate – Tutor Led

A.I in the Workplace – 1-day Workshop

Time Management – 1-day Workshop

Microsoft Word Advanced – Tutor Led

Testimonials

Courses

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