By Janet Barclay, MVA
As Director of Membership for Professional Organizers in Canada, I received many requests for information from individuals who were considering becoming a professional organizer. One of the questions I received most often was “What type of training is required or recommended for a professional organizer?”
Because professional organizers offer a wide range of services, there is no specific educational requirement. If you are interested in working as a professional organizer, it is likely that organizing comes naturally to you. Most organizers combine their natural organizing abilities with the skills they’ve acquired through employment and/or as homemakers, and specialize accordingly. Although there are some larger companies, most professional organizers are self-employed, and you will benefit from taking some courses on running a small business. Affordable and sometimes even no-cost courses are available in most areas.
This is not to say that there is no training available for professional organizers - there are a number of opportunities for you to enhance your skills in this area. Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) offers a variety of training programs to both members and non-members.
POC holds a teleclass for individuals seeking information about working in this industry, as well as topics for established organizers. Previous topics have included Hoarding & Mental Health Issues With Organizing Clients and Initial Consultations & Intake Interviews. For information on upcoming teleclasses as well as other educational events offered by POC members, please visit the Professional Organizers in Canada website at www.organizersincanada.com.
About the Author
Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant, offers a variety of professional quality services to support entrepreneurs and other individuals who are overwhelmed by the demands and technology of the 21st century. For further information or to request a subscription to her monthly ezine, The Organized Assistant Resource, please visit her website at www.organizedassistant.com.
