Virtual Latinos Academy Helpdesk
Welcome to the Virtual Latinos Academy! We’re excited to have you in our personalized learning space, built to empower virtual professionals like you. Whether you’re just starting your virtual career or looking to enhance your existing skills, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process of getting started with the Virtual Latinos Academy and make the most out of your learning experience.
Step 1: Join Virtual Latinos & Access the Academy
- Your journey starts here! Apply online to become a Virtual Assistant with Virtual Latinos. Join our community of Latin American professionals.
- Once accepted into the community, log in to your Virtual Latinos Portal. Under Resources, click VL Academy to open your personalized learning space—this is where your growth begins.
- You should also receive an email upon acceptance to the VL Community with more detailed next steps and VL Academy access.
Step 2: Unlock Your First Course
- Log in using the same email and password as your Virtual Latinos Portal. Your Academy account is automatically linked to your VL profile, so any password changes on your profile will also update your Academy login.
- Your first step is the “How to Be the Greatest Virtual Assistant” course (about 30 minutes). Think of it as your foundation—introducing you to the VL community, expectations, and skills that every successful VA needs.
- Complete the short quiz to earn your first certificate and unlock the full Academy catalog.
Step 3: Explore the Course Catalog
With the catalog open, you now have access to a wide range of learning experiences:
- Core Skills to strengthen your virtual work foundations.
- Industry-Specific Courses (legal, real estate, medical, and more).
- AI Tools & Productivity Courses to help you work smarter.
- Expert-Led Programs & Partner Initiatives offering unique insights.
Each course includes interactive videos, toolkits, and completion certificates you can showcase. You’ll also start collecting VL Points—a new system with future benefits we’ll share more about soon. In addition, some courses award VL Credits (see Step 6).
Please note that VL Points and VL Credits are separate systems.
Step 4: Enroll & Start Learning
When you find a course that fits your goals, click Join Course. If a prerequisite is needed, follow the on-screen steps to complete it first.
Once enrolled, you’ll access:
- Interactive lessons guided by experts and AI avatars.
- Practice activities like quizzes, simulations, or toolkits you can use right away.
- Progress tracking so you can learn at your own pace and revisit lessons anytime.
Remember: you’re in control—make learning fit your schedule and career path.
Step 5: Celebrate Your Achievements & Stay Connected
Every course certificate you earn is more than a milestone—it’s proof of your growth. Download your certificates and showcase them on LinkedIn or social media.
Share your learning journey with the VL community (through the VL Academy Heartbeat Channel) to inspire others and exchange tips.
Stay connected with the Academy by subscribing to our newsletter “El Virtualito” and keeping an eye out for announcements on new courses, platform updates, and exclusive learning opportunities.
Step 6: Understand the VL Bonus Structure
At Virtual Latinos, we not only offer courses that enhance your skills, but also offer the opportunity to earn VL Academy bonuses. The VL Academy bonus courses can be identified by “$” sign at the top right corner of each course.
VL Academy bonuses will be determined by VL Credits, which measure your expertise and engagement within the Virtual Latinos community. VL Credits are earned upon completion of specific courses. Each VL Credit equals $10 towards your VL Academy bonus payout.
VL Academy bonus rewards are exclusively available to our virtual assistants who have been hired. However, if you’re not currently hired, you can still proactively take courses and earn certificates to enhance your chances of securing a position. Virtual Latinos will keep track of the courses you completed and save your earned VL Credits until you’re hired.
How To Calculate VL Credits
There are different criteria to determine your relationship between course certificates and VL Credits. Once you are hired, or if you are already hired, there are different categories for the VL credits which will determine the amount of VL Credits you will accrue towards your bonus based on the type of course you took. The categories are:
| Unrelated | General | Industry-Specific Software or Skill |
Industry-Specific Plus |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credits Earned | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Bonus Earned | $10 | $20 | $30 | $50 |
1) Unrelated: The courses falling under this category involve content that is not directly related to your current role or industry but might still be something that interests you. Completing an unrelated course will earn you 1 VL Credit.
2) General: These courses provide knowledge that applies to various roles and industries. For each general course you complete, no matter the role or industry you are in, you will earn 2 VL Credits.
3) Industry-Specific Software-Skills: These courses will be focused on industry-specific software. If the course is not related to your current role or industry, it will be defined as an ‘Unrelated’ course. However, completing a software course that is related to your current role or industry will earn you 3 VL Credits.
4) Industry-Specific Plus: These courses are created by vendors, partners, or Virtual Latinos clients. They offer unique insights and information specific to particular roles or industries. If they are not related to your current job, they will be defined as an ‘Unrelated’ course. For each industry-specific course that you complete that is related to your current role or industry, you will earn 5 VL Credits.
It is important to note that if you change clients, roles, or industries, your VL Credits will be recalculated accordingly for future bonuses. The validity period of any VL Credits you earn will be two years from the date you received the certificate. After two years, the credits you earn from that course will expire, so it is beneficial to continuously take courses.
When are the VL Bonuses valid to credit?
For virtual assistants who have completed the course but have not been hired yet, your first VL Academy bonus payout will occur in 10 pay periods (20 weeks) after the date you are hired.
For our hired virtual assistants who have earned VL Credits, your first VL Academy bonus payout will take place in 10 pay periods (20 weeks) from the date you received the course certificate.
To ensure smooth payout processing, VL Academy bonuses will be paid on the same schedule as normal VL bonuses, which will be roughly every other pay period according to the Payments Calendar dates. This means you will receive your VL Academy bonuses monthly, separate from the 20-week accrual timeline.
The VL Academy bonus amount for each applicable pay period will be calculated by the VL team. They will review the certificates you have earned, assign you the corresponding VL credits, and calculate your VL Academy bonus for that specific period. We will then add it to your invoice without you needing to do anything on your end.
The maximum amount you can earn from VL Bonuses is $400 per calendar year, simply through learning and letting your bonuses rack up.
VL Credit system empowers you to take control of your professional journey. By actively engaging in courses aligned with your industry, you can expand your knowledge and skills.
Embrace the opportunities to enhance your expertise and unlock new horizons with the Virtual Latinos Academy.
Step 7: Continue Your Learning Journey
- Completing your first course is just the beginning, but finishing every course you start is where the real growth happens. Keep expanding your skills by enrolling in additional courses that match your goals and interests.
- Check the catalog regularly for new offerings and updates, and set a personal challenge—like completing one new course each month—to stay on track.
- Most importantly, stay proactive in your professional development by implementing the knowledge and skills gained from the Virtual Latinos Academy in real-world scenarios.
Congratulations on taking your first step toward a thriving virtual career with the Virtual Latinos Academy! By following this guide, you now know how to access the Academy, unlock your first course, explore the catalog, and celebrate your achievements.
Remember: stay engaged with your learning, keep connecting with fellow VAs, and continue building on your success. Here’s to an enriching and rewarding journey with the Virtual Latinos Academy!
