The Program
History
Application Process
Schedule
About Us
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The Program
Hear from the best. Our presenters- talented consultants in their field- will share their experiences, strategies and ideas, which will prepare you to build a consulting career.
During ten days of intensive and interactive workshops, you'll acquire the personal and professional know-how to make it as a consultant.
Through the program, you will:
In addition to the workshop content, we also provide the following services for SCC participants:
3 hours followup with business counsellors of your choice
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History
Application Process
Schedule
About Us
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The Program
Hear from the best. Our presenters- talented consultants in their field- will share their experiences, strategies and ideas, which will prepare you to build a consulting career.
During ten days of intensive and interactive workshops, you'll acquire the personal and professional know-how to make it as a consultant.
Through the program, you will:
- learn how to market yourself to achieve results
- understand the basics of doing business on the web
- identify the essentials to create an action plan
- gain effective presentation skills that inspire clients
- see what it takes to write and edit effective proposals
- learn how to sell your services
- find out how to locate and bid on government contracts
- explore the dynamics of how you interact with others
- understand your legal responsibilities as a consultant
- recognize financial, accounting and tax requirements
- devise a fee structure that suits you
- uncover the secrets of networking with potential clients and much more!
In addition to the workshop content, we also provide the following services for SCC participants:
3 hours followup with business counsellors of your choice
- Office Support: computer, internet, telephone, photocopier, fax
- Alumni Networking Events
- Alumni Contact List
- Information Request
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History
New consultants and contractors need to be aware of specific information related to consulting practices, self-employment, business communication, competitive pricing, effective marketing procedures and proposal submission as well as the correct relationship of the consultant to Revenue Canada for income reporting purposes. Information in these areas, through our SCC program assists the new consultant toward greater success and stability in the marketplace.
Within 3 months of completing our program, about 70% of our grads are either self-employed, re-employed or enrolled for study to further their careers.
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Application Process
An Information Session of about 1-1.5 hours in length, is held every month for people who wish to know more about the program. Each applicant must attend the Information Session before he or she is qualified for program admission. At the Information Session, each applicant submits an Employment Resource Centre referral form, a resume, and completes a questionnaire and application form stating what type of consulting business he or she is planning to launch.
After the Information Session, an Intake Interview takes place during which each applicant is further considered for admission to the program. All applicants should be highly motivated to seek employment as self-employed consultants.
Applicants who have gone through the Intake Interview will be notified about their admission status at least one week prior to the next course date.
All clients accepted for the program must sign an agreement specifying their intention to complete the ten-day program and treat this training as if they were coming to the workplace.
In other words, attitude and commitment are keys to success for every beginning consultant!
If you are interested in applying for the SCC program, please call the office (604) 608-2847 to reserve a seat for the next Information Session.
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Eligibility requirements are found on our Register page.
Schedule
Thank you for your interest in our program Successful Contracting and Consulting (SCC). We run our courses monthly and we conduct an Information Session each month* at our offices 955 - 789 West Pender Street in Vancouver. They are usually about 60 to 90 minutes long.
Funded by the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, the program is provided at no cost to those who are eligible. Applicants who wish to attend must first call SCC at 604 608 2847 to register and book a seat. We also have seats available for individuals who have not collected EI, but are unemployed or under-employed, that is, working fewer than 20 hours per week.
After the Information Session, you fill out an application form and questionnaire to have a private one-on-one Intake Interview. To attend the program you must be referred to SCC from an Employment Resource Centre Case Manager. To contact an Employment Resource Centre (ERC), of which there are 18 in the Greater Vancouver Area, refer to www.labourmarketservices.gov.bc.ca or www.youremploymentservices.ca
Please call SCC’s Program Administrator, Sonia Kottmeier at (604) 608-2847 if you have any further questions
Intake schedule
*Information sessions - 2010
Tuesday, March 30
Tuesday, April 27
Start dates
March 8 - 19 (in session)
April 12 - 23
May 10 - 21
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About Us
New Directions Business Retraining Association
New Directions Business Retraining Association was formed as a not-for-profit organization in 1994 to operate federally funded training programs. In March 1998 Successful Contracting & Consulting became the third program run by the association. June da Silva was the HRSDC Programs Officer who identified the need for the program and got it started.
The program has been extremely successful and continues to attract unemployed professionals and semi-professionals who require solid business information and the benefits of mentoring.
New Directions exists solely to oversee the programs currently funded by the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement. The Board of Directors is volunteer and made up of representatives from the business community, Chambers of Commerce and program alumni.
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