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Business Skills for Land Care Professionals

"Taking the Business Skills course with Gaia College was vital in the development of my composting business. I was able to walk away with all the necessary plans, documents, information and knowledge required to be well prepared in launching the business as well as providing ongoing operation support of the business."

 - Andrea Blum, Founder of Pacific Composting

Beginning a new business in land care (or any field) is exciting and also daunting. Understanding the knowledge and skills necessary for success can go a long way to take the journey with confidence.

Beyond simply repeating information found in textbooks, this course explores living situations and practical solutions. Topics include managing risk, preparing budgets and estimates, and developing strategies to increase sales, profitability and cash flow. Students work closely with the instructor and each other to develop their own business plans.

This Course Prepares You to: 

  • Choose the appropriate legal entity for your business

  • Work within the legal parameters governing your business

  • Evaluating the pros and cons of different business financing options

  • Develop business strategies and operating plans for a startup or current business

Who Should Take This Course?

  • Anyone contemplating going into business for themselves
  • Small business owners feeling overwhelmed by rules and regulations they need to learn more about
  • Small business owners without a formal business plan.

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Business Skills for Land Care Professionals - January 2025

Course Details

Outline

Please download the course outline here: Business Skills for Land Care Professionals Course outline.

Time Expectations

Students can expect to dedicate 6-10 hours per week to successfully complete this course.

As well, our courses are offered in the continuing education realm and are designed so students can complete them according to their own schedule. The work is divided up into 14 weekly topics and students are expected to complete their assigned work and quizzes by the given deadlines.  

Our courses do not use online meetings, so we are not using Google Meet, Zoom or other online meeting applications.

If you have any questions about studying online with Gaia College please see our FAQs page

Fees

Fees: $795.00

Fees include:

  • Comprehensive on-line educational materials
  • Unlimited access to our on-line course resources, community center, including libraries, discussion forums and much more.

Payment Options: Online: E-transfer, Visa, MasterCard By Mail: Cheque drawn on Canadian Funds, Money order in Canadian Funds

Prerequisites

There are no academic prerequisites for this course, however students must

  • be proficient in English (written)
  • be comfortable with current computer and internet technology, including spreadsheets and word processing programs
  • have an email account capable of receiving a large number of messages for the duration of the course
  • have access to high-speed internet
  • have access to a computer capable of running a current version of FireFox or Chrome. Tablets and phones are not supported at this time.
Evaluations

There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on developing practical skills and the ability to synthesize information.

To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.

Texts

There are no required texts in this course. All required materials are provided online.

Credits

This program is eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CECs) with the following:

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)
Also applies to B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) and Landscape Ontario
Pre-approved: 24 Credits

National Association of Landcare Professionals - American (NALP)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist
Pre-approved: 5 Credits

International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Management Arborist
Pre-approved: 5 Credits (Management)

B.C. Society of Landscape Architects
As per certification renewal guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed

Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI)
Pre-approved: 24 Credits

Canadian Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL)
Pre-approved: 6 Credits

Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
Pre-approved: 42 Non-core LUs

This course partially satisfies the requirements of:

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