AUT - APEC-IBIZ Training Programme
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APEC-IBIZ Training Programme
The APEC-IBIZ Training and Certification Programme is designed to improve the quality of advice and counselling given to small business owners and managers. The APEC-IBIZ programme consists of a rigorous certification process and a competency-based training programme.
The main objective of the programme is to provide small business counsellors, consultants and advisors with the counselling skills and capabilities they need to lead, assist and enable small business clients to develop their own capabilities and expertise necessary to effectively manage their business autonomously.
APEC-IBIZ Certification Process
To be certified as an APEC-IBIZ Business Counsellor, a small business counsellor, consultant or advisor must achieve the following:
1) Complete the APEC-IBIZ Training & Certification Programme Registration
2) Enrol in and complete the APEC-IBIZ Training Programme:
- Days 1 and 2 – Small Business Counselling
- Days 3 and 4 – Counselling in Functional Areas
3) Complete 400 small business counselling hours (within 3 years of Registration)
4) Submit a Portfolio of Evidence for counselling 10 small businesses (within 3 years of Registration)
When a learner-counsellor has completed the APEC-IBIZ Training & Certification process and has demonstrated experience in counselling SMEs, they will be eligible to apply as a Certified Business Counsellor.
APEC-IBIZ Training Programme When a person enrols in the APEC-IBIZ Training Programme they become a learner-counsellor. The training programme builds a foundation for the learner-counsellor of knowledge and skills in counselling and then develops the participant for counselling within specific functional areas of expertise.
The programme integrates seven (7) general competency areas beginning with the knowledge, skills and attributes (KSA) required to counsel the small business owner/manager and then leads into developing the learner-counsellor’s ability to manage the client counselling process.
The training programme must be completed before a learner-counsellor can achieve APEC certification. The training programme consists of ten (10) modules of learning which are delivered through a combination of face-to-face workshops and online learning.
APEC-IBIZ Training Programme Outline
Days 1 and 2
This workshop is designed to equip the learner-counsellor with the knowledge, skills and ability (KSA) to counsel, coach and enable a small business owner and manager to develop their own capabilities and the expertise necessary to effectively manage their business autonomously.
The four key areas of counselling you will cover in the workshop include:
1. Understanding the role, ethics and conduct required of business counsellors in providing counselling services to the small business client.
2. Demonstrating the importance of communications skills, coaching techniques and a positive attitude.
3. Familiarisation with problem-solving and decision making techniques.
4. Assisting the client to develop and implement an action plan to address identified strengths and weaknesses.
Days 3 and 4
The purpose of this workshop is to introduce five of the six functional areas that a learner-counsellor may work on with a small business owner and manager including:
- Business Planning
Describe and explain the benefits of strategic planning to a small business.
- Marketing
Develop and identify marketing strategies for a small business.
- Financial Planning
Assist client to set up and maintain financial records and appropriate record keeping systems.
- Human Resource Management
Identify, develop and select the most appropriate Human Resource Management techniques for the small business.
- Legal and government issues
Identify the knowledge and skills a small business counselor will require to assist the client to initiate and apply e-commerce solutions to their business
The online modules of the training Programme are designed to ensure a learner-counsellor can work with a small business owner and manager in the following areas:
- Information Technology and e-Business
Explore and identify generic issues related to relationships between the small business client and government
Portfolio of Evidence
To be certified and receive the APEC CBC designation, a learner-counsellor must complete a comprehensive and rigorous Portfolio of Evidence.
The Portfolio of Evidence is designed to provide an in-depth illustration of the process a counsellor used for specific counselling interventions, including the client interface that took place, and the outcome of the intervention.
When developing your portfolio, you should recognize that the portfolio is always a work in progress. As you grow in your personal and professional life your portfolio will continually grow and develop as you do. Upon final assessment and certification your portfolio will be returned to you.
More detailed information on how to put together a Portfolio of Evidence will be given to you at the Workshop. Information on the competencies are as follows:
Instruction
Appendix
Competency requirements
APEC-IBIZ Registration of Interest
Please click here complete your Registration form.
When we have received your Registration of Interest Form, we will email to you an Enrolment Form for the APEC-IBIZ Training Programme.
APEC-IBIZ Training & Certification Programme Fees
New dates for next year are: TBC
For information on the APEC-IBIZ Training & Certification Programme Fees, for first time applicants, please click here 
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