POC Training/ Education Programs

POC believes in the value of education, and we are committed to delivering educational programs, seminars, training and events that set the standard in professional organizers across Canada.

We are proud to present a series of training and education programs for professional organizers as well as people interested in learning about how to become a professional organizer.

These programs include:

How to Become a Professional Organizer

A one-hour, non-credit teleclass aimed at individuals interested in becoming a professional organizer. Find out what it’s like to run your own organizing business.

POC Trained Professional Organizer Program

This designation is the industry standard in organizing professionalism and excellence. Challenging and deeply rewarding, it comprises 12 courses led by subject matter experts.

Continuing Education

Ongoing education helps professional organizers learn new skills and expand upon their area of expertise to stay on top of industry trends and remain competitive.

While the professional organizer training courses are open to everyone, we encourage people to become a POC member to take advantage of significant training course discounts as well as additional benefits that our members enjoy.

Training Benefits

Training and ongoing education helps you get a competitive market advantage, and add to your existing credibility as a professional organizer. Our POC Professional Organizer training programs enable you to:

Find out how to run your own business more easily
Keep up-to-date on industry standards
Discover new tools that will help your business
Improve your self-confidence
More confidently teach/coach your clients
Build your capacity to earn more money

To work toward becoming a POC Trained Professional Organizer visit the event signup page and register for one of our professional organizing training courses today.

How to Become a Professional Organizer

Got a knack for cutting through the clutter? Are you good at planning and managing your time? Do all your friends ask you to come over and help organize their closets? Why not put your skills to work and become a professional organizer?

If you've ever thought about becoming a professional organizer but weren't sure where to start, POC has created a "Should I Become a Professional Organizer?" non-credit information session. This one-hour teleclass session gives you the chance to ask a veteran organizer questions and get information about the steps involved in becoming a professional organizer. Find out what it's like to run your own organizing business and be your own boss.

To learn more about how to become a professional organizer, read our FAQ section entitled, "What is a professional organizer?" If you see yourself in the role of a professional organizer helping people find balance and order in their lives, then be sure to register for the next Should I Become a Professional Organizer?" teleclass session.

To see all of the upcoming POC training courses, including "Should I Become a Professional Organizer?" and to register, visit the event signup page.

Learning Options:

Teleclasses: Not sure what a teleclass is? Click here to learn more.

POC Trained Professional Organizer Program

The Trained Professional Organizer Program is a rewarding learning experience led by professional organizers and subject matter experts. Courses cover residential and business organizing, safety, basic marketing, assessments, working with children and seniors, as well as many other topics.

By completing twelve (12) classes – ten (10) core classes and any two (2) specialty classes – POC members are eligible to write the Trained Professional Organizer Exam. Successful candidates receive a certificate as a graduate of the program and may identify themselves as a POC Trained Professional Organizer.

POC members with more than three years experience in organizing may challenge the exam. Exams are offered twice per year; in the spring hosted by local chapters and in the autumn at the Annual Conference.

To see what POC training courses, seminars and teleclasses are currently being offered and to register, visit the event sign-up page.
POC members: please log in before registering to benefit from discounted member rates.

Learning Options:

Teleclasses: In most cases, classes are delivered over the phone as teleclasses. Not sure what a teleclass is? Click here to learn more.

To learn how the POC Trained Professional Organizer Program works and which classes are included, please click here to download the full description. (PDF)

Continuing Education

Continuing education offers opportunities to expand your skills, business offerings and fulfill continuing education or recertification hours. Many of our continuing education classes, which are delivered in webinar format, may apply towards your Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Upon successful completion of a final quiz, a certificate of completion will be provided. Let our team of experts share their knowledge on a variety of topics to help you expand and develop your business.

Learning Options:

Webinar: Learn at your own pace, with pre-recorded, self-study webinars. When you sign up for the webinar, you will receive instructions by email on how to access the webinar and receive your certificate. Sign up for a pre-recorded webinar session.

What Is a Teleclass?

A teleclass is similar to a conference call. You and all the other registrants call a regular phone number in the United States (because at present the Canadian suppliers are too expensive) at your class time, and you are welcomed by the Teleclass Leader. During a teleclass, you can expect some lecture format, some questions, and some discussion. All you need to participate is a regular phone. Do not use a cell phone, speakerphone, or computer dial-up as these diminish the quality of the line for everyone.

Each class will have a maximum of 20 participants, to allow for questions and feedback. Upon registration, you receive a reply confirming date, time, and the phone number and pass code for the teleclass phone line. Handouts will be sent out to all registrants by e-mail the day before each class.

Note: The cost to call the teleclass line is a standard long distance charge. There are no conferencing fees, so you would just pay your long distance carrier based on your rates. You may want to look into pre-dial codes to save on long distance charges if you do not have a long distance plan. Under most plans the cost for a one hour call is less than $5.

For inquiries regarding POC Teleclasses please contact the Education Committee on the Contact Us page.

What is a Webinar?

An on-demand webinar is a recorded version of an online seminar that enables you to learn at a time that is convenient for you and eliminates travel costs associated with in-person seminars. On-demand webinars offer a virtual interactive experience online by delivering the image and voice of a presenter as well as a slide presentation.

As you will be watching online, there are no long distance fees. All you need is a computer with speakers, a high-speed Internet connection and Adobe Flash Player to take part in the sessions. There's no special software to download or install.

On-demand webinars let you review and replay them anytime and anywhere that you have a computer with speakers and an Internet connection.