Vancouver freelancers and independent creative workers, mark your calendars for an Urban Worker Project Skillshare on March 1.

This day-long event will feature workshops and roundtables that will help independent workers develop the skills they need to build successful businesses and thrive in the changing world of work.

The Skillshare is scheduled for Thursday, March 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Room 1400 at SFU Harbour Centre (515 W Hastings St.).

Workshops will cover a wide variety of topics of interest to freelancers. Some of the practical sessions include a workshop on financial management for independent workers led by financial planner Liz Shieck from the New School of Finance. And Jessica Somers, an accountant with Cordova Street will also be speaking about tax planning, budgeting and personal finance.

Gilad Babchuk, co-founder of Vancouver's alternative business school Groundswell Education Society and Humaira Hamid, Business Development Manager with Futurpreneur Canada will lead a sessions on planning and launching a business.

Don Genova, president of CMG Freelance, will lead a workshop on rate setting, negotiation and contracts. And writer and documentary filmmaker Roberta Staley will talk international reporting, pitching, and multi-media journalism.

The event will also feature Caitlin Pearce, executive director of the Freelancers Union in the United States. Pearce will talk about the Freelance Isn't Free Act, a bylaw enacted in New York City last year that establishes protections for freelance workers, specifically with regards to contracts and timely payment. 

The Skillshare is a Pay-What-You-Can-Afford event. Tickets are by donation, with a suggested amount of $35. If finances are a barrier to attendance, freelancers are welcome to attend for free.

The Urban Worker Project is an initiative that aims to give a stronger voice to the growing numbers of independent workers across the country. CMG Freelance is one of the sponsors of this event, which is part of Simon Fraser University Public Square's 2018 Community Summit, Brave New Work.

Full descriptions of the morning workshops and afternoon roundtable sessions are available right here.

To register for this event, go to this Eventbrite page.