Secretarial/PA Courses: Getting Your Foot in the Door of the Job Market

Oxford Media and Business School (OMBS)

The Oxford Media and Business School (OMBS) offers a one-year Professional Business Diploma, which emphasises the development of strong administrative abilities coupled with business acumen. Students benefit from comprehensive training in business communication, software proficiency, event managing, digital marketing and media. OMBS’s strong industry connections often lead to excellent job placement opportunities in roles such as Executive Assistant (EA), Personal Assistant (PA) and Private PA, making it an attractive choice for aspiring professionals. And if you’re still not convinced, 95% of 2023 graduates were in employment just 3 months after graduating!

Quest Professional

Quest Professional provides targeted, practical training that is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed in today’s fast-paced job market. They offer a 9-month Professional Diploma Program for recent school graduates, as well as a 3-month intensive Graduate Training Program for university degree holders. Additionally, they provide two-week Back to Work courses, designed to refresh essential skills for individuals returning to the workforce following a career break. With a strong emphasis on real-world experience, their courses are tailored to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional application. With a dedicated recruitment arm and excellent links to top London employers, Quest Professional boasts an impressive 97% employment rate for its students upon course completion, many of whom secure positions as EAs and PAs.

Pitman Training

Pitman Training is long established and renowned for its flexible and career-focused PA and secretary courses . They offer a wide range of programs covering essential administration and technical-skills training such as Microsoft Office proficiency. Pitman’s flexible, self-paced learning approach enables students to embark on their studies around existing commitments. Moreover, their practical curriculum ensures that graduates are equipped to excel in real-world Executive Assistant (EA), Personal Assistant (PA) and administrative positions, providing a solid foundation for career advancement.

Today’s PA 

Today’s PA have been voted the ‘Best Assistant Training Provider in the UK’ seven years running at the PA Voice Awards. Their programs are designed to engage and entertain, as well as inform, and they include modules on the latest technological tools and software used in modern office environments, such as Microsoft Office packages, One Note, Teams, Forms and Planner, keeping their students at the cutting edge of industry standards. They have trained EAs and PAs from over 4000 companies in over 80 countries around the world, and they boast an impressive list of clients, including Sky, HSBC, BBC, Adidas, Facebook, Warner Brothers, KPMG, and Nike.

“My Goal was to empower EAs to believe in themselves and arm them with the tools they need to ‘have a seat at the table’ and it is still my goal to this day” – Amanda Vinci – CEO of the EA Institute

Now is an excellent time to consider becoming a Personal Assistant (PA), Private PA or Executive Assistant (EA).

• Variety: Personal Assistants (PAs) and Executive Assistants (EAs) often find themselves engaged in diverse tasks and responsibilities, which can range from managing schedules and coordinating events to handling important communications and providing strategic support to executives. This variety keeps the role dynamic and intellectually stimulating, providing continuous challenges that foster personal growth and development.  
• Direct Impact and Influence: PAs and EAs play a crucial role in supporting senior executives and leaders within organisations. They are not just administrative support; they are strategic partners who contribute to decision-making processes and help to drive business objectives forward. In today’s corporate landscape, PAs and EAs are increasingly recognised for their valuable insights and contributions, earning them a “seat at the table” in important discussions. 
• Working Closely with Leaders: PAs and EAs work closely with directors, enabling them to gain exposure to high-level operations. These experiences cultivate valuable leadership, communication and problem-solving skills that are highly transferable across all industries, and can result in roles in management and directorships.
• Job Security and Opportunities: As organisations recognise the critical role of administrative support in driving efficiency and productivity, the demand for skilled PAs and EAs continues to rise across all sectors. Skilled PAs and EAs can significantly influence the success of an organisation.