Personal Assistant

Who is it for?

As there are no pre-requisites for this course, it's ideal for anyone wanting to make a career as a personal assistant, or someone already working in an admin role who would like to increase their qualifications. You'll most likely be organised, and enjoy making sure that things run smoothly. The best PAs are unflappable, and cope well in busy environments.

Where can it lead?

Top businesses know the value of organised and experienced PAs. While this course will equip you for an entry-level position if you have no previous experience, it could set you on the track towards a highly rewarding career involving travel and a great deal of responsibility as a PA to senior management or director level.

Salary?

Salaries for personal assistants vary depending on the size of the organisation and the experience of the employee. You'll find starting salaries for PAs can range from £18,000 to £25,000 a year. With experience, those working in large corporations can reach up to £40,000.

Can I apply?

There are no previous qualifications or experience needed to enter this course.

Course Code

L04

Period of study

12 months

What will I study?

The course consists of two sections: Business Administration, and the European Computer Driving Licence.

a) Business Administration

Equipment, Supplies and Services

• Examine the office equipment used by PAs and discover how to choose the best suppliers for your business stationery and consumables.
• Explore the various services that can be provided by external agencies.

Work Environment and Controls

• Explore the principles behind office design and examine common working practices.
• Learn how to keep personnel and equipment safe.
• Study the records, controls and systems which are required to maintain an efficient and effective organisation.

Procedures and Information

• Examine the procedures that are used to maintain efficiency in offices.
• Learn how to store and retrieve information, and consider security and confidentiality with regards to information.
• Explore the various sources of business information.

Communication

• Learn how to design and complete various business documents.
• Gain effective oral communication skills.

Organisation and Personal Effectiveness

• Explore the use of action plans, schedules and diaries for planning and prioritising work.
• Learn how to draw up rotas for holiday and absence cover.
• Examine teamwork and consider the various working relationships which a PA may have.

Business Meetings, Events and Travel

• Familiarise yourself with the paperwork used before and during meetings.
• Learn how to identify suitable venues for conferences.
• Discover how to make arrangements for business travel and accommodation.

b) European Computer Driving Licence

Basic Concepts of IT

• Explore general IT concepts and hardware.
• Discover how to perform basic system maintenance.
• Consider the use of IT in everyday life, and examine health and safety issues.
• Examine the importance of keeping confidential information secure.

Using the Computer and Managing Files

• Learn how to perform basic computer operations.
• Explore the desktop and learn how to manage files.
• Examine viruses and discover how to protect your computer.
• Explore printing.

Word Processing

• Examine common word processing operations and then consider formatting, objects and mail merge.

Spreadsheets

• Learn how to work with cells, columns and rows.
• Explore worksheets, formulae and functions.
• Discover how to format cells and how to produce charts and graphs.

Databases

• Examine basic database concepts and learn how to work with tables and forms.
• Discover how to retrieve information and how to produce reports.

Presentations

• Discover how to develop a presentation and how to work with text, images, charts/graphs and drawn objects.
• Explore various slideshow effects.

Information and Communication

• Examine the Internet, Web navigation, Web searching and email.
• Explore security considerations.
• Learn how to effectively manage your emails.

Assessment

Business Administration

You’ll complete six test papers during your course. These can be submitted to ICS online via the Student Community. It is recommended that you submit your test papers online as you will receive your results more quickly this way.

European Computer Driving Licence

You will complete one computer-based assessment for each of the seven ECDL modules. These assessments can be sat in any order and either all at once or over a period of time. On successful completion of each assessment your assessment logbook will be signed. Once your logbook has been signed seven times – indicating that you have passed all seven assessments – you will receive your ECDL.

Please note that the following details are intended only as a rough guide; the exact format of each assessment is subject to change.

• Assessment 1: 2 tasks and 17 multiple choice questions
• Assessment 2: 9 tasks and 3 multiple choice questions
• Assessment 3: 14 tasks
• Assessment 4: 15 tasks
• Assessment 5: 14 tasks
• Assessment 6: 15 tasks
• Assessment 7: 7 tasks and 4 multiple choice questions

Each assessment must be completed within 23 minutes.

Notes

Tasks are designed to test your knowledge of computer software. They require you to carry out an activity on the computer, such as send an email.

ECDL tests can be sat at an accredited testing centre. Please note that assessment fees are additional to your course fees.

Technical requirements/Fees

You will need to be proficient in the English language.

The course comes supplied with a European Computer Driving License (ECDL) CD Rom. The ECDL course has no exam fee.