The Workshops
This funded WORKSHOP SERIES for Albertans helps you learn how to get your foot in the door with contract or gig work, start freelancing, contracting and consulting or build an income streaming portfolio career.
In this virtual workshop series, you can choose to take one, two or all three workshops. There is no pre-requisite workshop. However, all three workshops fit together to broaden your knowledge about non-traditional work and how it can help you meet your personal, career and financial goals.
Learn More About Branch Out for Albertans
Branch Out with non-traditional Work – It can work for you!
In this workshop, you learn the types of opportunities that exist in the non-traditional workforce and why it’s important to consider casual, contract, project based or gig work as a career or income strategy. You learn how to manage change, build a positive mindset and align your knowledge, experience, and skills to employers’ needs. At different stages of your career, non-traditional work can help you get your foot in the door of a new occupation or industry, gain work experience, or help you create the freedom and flexibility you need.
“Exploring an alternative career path is both exciting and daunting, which is why I found this series practical, and actionable to navigate this journey. The Non-Traditional Work series delivered both valuable insights and strategies that I can now use to transition within my profession.”
Branch Out as an Independent Worker – Work Your Way
In this workshop, you learn how to set up an independent career as a freelancer, contractor or consultant. You will use an Independent Worker's Business Canvas to help you align your knowledge, experience and skills to opportunities in your industry, set up your services and negotiate. An independent career can work well to help you build skills, experience or a portfolio of work. It allows you to share your knowledge and expertise. It also gives you freedom and flexibility to work in a way that meets your personal, career and financial goals.
“Thank you. I will be recommending this to others. It was a very good workshop and got me thinking and gave me some really good nuggets for future development. I want to look at working from home full time and utilize my expertise that I have and share with others.”
Branch Out with a Portfolio Career – Earn a Living Income Streaming
In this workshop, you learn why a portfolio career of multiple income streams is smart career and income strategy. You align your interests, knowledge, and skills with various opportunities and plan your portfolio of income streams. You also learn tips for managing and maintaining your portfolio career. During different stages of life, a portfolio career of multiple income streams can diversify or provide extra income, create freedom and flexibility, bridge a career transition or support a startup business.
“I am so impressed with the depth of (the instructor’s) knowledge, wisdom and experience when it comes to navigating non-traditional work! I learned so many practical and actionable steps I can take right now to improve how I look for clients, how to approach potential clients, what to say (and not say), and how to keep the conversation going!”
“The Branch Out with Non-traditional Work workshop provided essential skills for non-traditional work, networking strategies, and the ability to articulate personal value to employers. Highly recommended for those navigating the dynamic world of freelancing and non-traditional careers.”
“This workshop (Branch Out with a Portfolio Career) was organized effectively. It was a packed 2 days but the format made sense and flowed well for me. I knew components of this but the totality of this was good so I look forward to the next 2 where I know bits and pieces but having it in one workshop and set of resources will be valuable”
The Province of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services