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Demand high for Quality PA's ....

Secretarial or administration roles have become recession proof jobs with salaries at around R350 000 pa and average annual increases of close to 21%.

In a bad recession of the sort we have experienced this year, good back up staff such as personal assistants and administrators are worth their weight in gold.

We have found, however, that instead of a personal assistant working with just one executive she or he may work with two or three. Another trend is that lots more men are entering this field as they have discovered its high earning potential.

Kelly Personnel released 2008 salary survey results which found that office or administration managers received a 20.84% average increase last year. The average salary is now R9 753 but executive secretaries earn on average R11 259 a month but for senior executives they can earn as much as R100 000 a month with perks including cars, travel allowances and housing assistance. High salaries for this job follow global trends.

Gender is not an issue when it comes to the best secretaries or PA’s in the global market. In fact some of the best secretaries are men and this position can get their foot in the door of top international corporations.

Corrie Fourie who was a finalist in 2009 Top PA of the Year awards is an ex SA National Defence Force officer. A married father, Fourie started his working career in the army and was often tasked with administration duties which led to him working in the human resources division of the SANDF and the South African Transport Services.

In 2004 he resigned from the Defence Force and after six months of job hunting a friend recommended he go for an interview as a PA for a Regional Director with a large multi-national in Midrand.

Fourie got the job and had to learn very quickly how to use an electronic diary, he recalls. “This was not a nine to five job. My position was seen as a high level executive PA and therefore I was expected to sometimes be available 18 hours out of 24. The best secretaries or PA’s have to have the ability to create miracles, make fast decisions and use initiative,” said Fourie.

“If your CEO has to fly back to Johannesburg from Kruger Park to attend a board meeting and there are no flights you need to make a plan - charter a flight. No, is not an option.”

The best secretaries also have to be able to continue the business in the absence of the CEO and therefore it is critical that the individual takes an interest in the organisation and learns more than just the basics. The popularity of our courses on minute taking as well as business writing show us how important good general knowledge is.

In South Africa recruiters are not allowed to specify male or female without reason but overseas ads looking for male secretaries in software companies, consulting firms and shipping go as far afield as Qatar, Egypt and India.

While it is not essential to have a degree or diploma, qualified team secretaries are usually far more attractive to potential employers than those who lack a tertiary education. Working experience is no longer enough and candidate selections are CV-based or orchestrated through recruitment agencies, and thus the strength of your CV is of paramount importance when applying for jobs.

 
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Newsflash

PERSONAL ASSISTANT AND SECRETARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Keeping the boss organised, on time, and on track is often a challenge, especially when you are not in charge. During this training seminar, participants will learn how to run a stellar office and stay in control, no matter how hectic the day gets. Additionally, they will discover how to build personal credibility, use techniques for better listening, deal with difficult people, handle negative situations, and more. Skills practice exercises are interactive, allowing participants to practice what they have learned in a fun, high-energy environment. The “Personal Assistant and Secretarial Development Programme” is the ideal conference for those needing to improve their administrative assistant skills or for those looking for the extra business edge.   

» Based on SAQA's Unit Standard ID 12153, NQF level 4, 5 Credits

» Based on SAQA's Unit Standard ID10388, NQF level 4, 3 credits

» Based on SAQA's Unit Standard ID 110023 NQF Level 4, 6 Credits

LEARNING CONTENT


We will cover topics such as:

  1. Super Assistant:  What the Boss Expects
  2. Minute taking Protocol and Professional Business Writing
  3. Styles and Different Kinds of Bosses
  4. Tools of the Trade: Voicemail, Email, Memos, and More
  5. Professional Presence: Looking and Acting the Part
  6. Difficult Personalities and Difficult Situations: Dealing with Challenges
  7. Time Management
  8. Conflict Management
  9. Stress Management
  10. Personal Branding
  11. Project Planning



 

DURATION, DATE AND VENUE


The course will take place over 1 day - 09:00 to 16:30 as follows:

 

DATEVENUEREGION
12 August 2010The Croft Conference Centre - MidrandGauteng
26 August 2010Courtyard Hotel, MowbrayCape Town
5 October 2010Garden Court – Kempton ParkGauteng
8 November 2010The Croft Conference Centre - MidrandGauteng
   

 

 

 

 

  COST


R1 490, 00 per delegate - Includes comprehensive training material, supplementary readers, certificate of completion, refreshments, lunch & snacks, parking vouchers and a free gift.  

ENROLMENTS

 

To enrol  for this course, kindly contact our office at (012) 376 1043.




   

ESSENTIAL OFFICE SKILLS FOR PA’S, SECRETARIES AND OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF – 2 DAYS

This seminar allows those working in an administrative office environment to develop the skills required to be part of an effective office. You will develop techniques and strategies for effective planning, organising and confident communication. Discover the many tools that can help you manage your time, prioritise and work more effectively meaning you have more time to complete critical urgent tasks. Learn how to proactively contribute to the successful achievement of your individual goals and to the successful running of an office. 

Certification: NQF Level 4, 6 Credits

DURATION
The course will take place over 2 days - 09:00 to 16:30 as follows:


DURATION

 

The course will take place over 2 days - 09:00 to 16:30 as follows:

 

DATEVENUEREGION
8 & 9 June 2010The Croft Conference Centre - MidrandGauteng
26 & 27 August 2010Courtyard Hotel, MowbrayCape Town
9 & 10 November 2010The Croft Conference Centre - MidrandGauteng


LEARNING CONTENT 

DAY 1

 1.       Effective Diary Management; 2.       Successful Events Management;3.       Professional Business Writing;4.       Travel Arrangements;5.       Meetings, Minutes and Conference Management; 6.       Accurate Filing and Recordkeeping; and7.       Super Assistant:  What the Boss Expects.

 

DAY 2 1.       Minute taking Protocol; 2.       Styles and Different Kinds of Bosses;3.       Tools of the Trade: Voicemail, Email, Memos, and More; 4.       Professional Presence: Looking and Acting the Part;5.       Difficult Personalities and Difficult Situations: Dealing with Challenges;6.       Time Management;7.       Conflict Management;8.       Stress Management;9.       Personal Branding; and10.    Project Planning

 

R2 890, 00 per delegate - Includes comprehensive training material, supplementary readers, certificate of completion, refreshments and snacks. ENROLMENT FOR THIS PROGRAMME 

To enrol for this course, kindly e-mail Bianca or contact our office at (012) 376 1043.



 

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS WRITING AND MINUTE TAKING PROTOCOL

 COURSE OVERVIEW 

In today’s busy working environment it is essential to produce clear, reader-friendly business writing to tight deadlines.  Many professionals working in large international companies have excellent spoken communication skills but lack confidence when writing business documents.   Our business writing and minute taking course, Effective Minute taking Protocol, will enable delegates to professionalise their writing skills through presentation and discussion of key elements of good business writing such as planning, style, audience awareness, punctuation and language choice.  You will also analyse and practice writing a range of documents including professional correspondence, business reports, minutes of meetings and tenders and proposals.


DATE, DURATION AND VENUE
The course will take place over 1 day - 09:00 to 16:30 as follows:

 

DATEVENUEREGION
27 August 2010Courtyard Hotel, MowbrayCape Town
9 November 2010The Croft Conference Centre - MidrandGauteng

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of this course you will learn how: 

  • To learn the value of good written communication.
  • To learn how to write and proofread your work so it is clear, concise, complete, and correct.
  • Revisit the rules of good grammar and clear communication.
  • Improve sentence construction and paragraph development.
  • Develop effective business letters for tough situations.
  • Discuss e-mail etiquette.
  • Develop an appropriate writing style and format for your letters, business cases and reports.
  • Learners will be able to draw up an agenda and produce professional, concise and accurate minutes for formal
    and  informal meetings
  • The learner will be aware of the various types of minutes
  • They will understand that the important criteria for effective meetings should be to encourage effective communication and understand the importance of their role in that process
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of grammar, tenses most frequently used in business grammar, vocabulary and punctuation rules.


 

PRICE/COST  

R1 490, 00 per delegate. Includes comprehensive training material, certificate upon completion, lunch and refreshments as well as a CD containing business templates.

 ENROLMENT FOR THIS PROGRAMME 

To enrol  for this course, kindly contact our office at (012) 376 1043.

business writing course, professional letter writing, minute taking course, writing course, technical writing course, professional business writing, writing etiquette, business writing workshop, business writing training
 

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