PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

This training is designed to equip participants with the modern skills required to function effectively as an Executive Personal Assistant or Secretary in corporate, government, NGO, and private office environments. It focuses on professional office administration, communication, executive support, digital tools, customer service, workplace etiquette, and performance excellence.

MODULE BREAKDOWN

MODULE 1: The Modern Executive PA & Secretary

• Roles & responsibilities
• Difference between PA, Secretary & Administrative Officer
• Professional ethics & confidentiality
• Executive mindset & proactive support

MODULE 2: Office Administration & Workflow Management

• Office systems & procedures
• Filing (manual & electronic)
• Records and document control
• Meeting preparation & follow-up

MODULE 3: Communication & Business Writing

• Professional email writing
• Memo, reports & minutes writing
• Telephone etiquette & call handling
• Internal & external communication skills

MODULE 4: Diary, Time & Travel Management

• Executive diary management
• Scheduling meetings & appointments
• Travel planning & logistics
• Managing competing priorities

MODULE 5: Digital Skills for Executive Support

• MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint (practical)
• Google Workspace / Outlook
• Online meeting tools (Zoom, Teams)
• Data protection & digital confidentiality

MODULE 6: Customer Service & Front Desk Excellence

• Professional reception skills
• Handling visitors & stakeholders
• Conflict handling & problem-solving
• Representing the executive and organisation

MODULE 7: Professional Image & Workplace Etiquette

• Dress code & personal branding
• Emotional intelligence
• Workplace ethics & conduct
• Stress management & resilience

MODULE 8: Supporting Executives Effectively

• Anticipating executive needs
• Decision-support roles
• Managing confidential information
• Crisis handling & discretion

ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION

Participants will be assessed through practical exercises and participation. Successful participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.

ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION FRAMEWORK

Executive Personal Assistant & Secretary Training

PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT

The assessment framework is designed to:

• Measure participants’ knowledge, skills, and professional competence
• Ensure participants can apply learning in real workplace situations
• Maintain quality, credibility, and consistency of certification
• Support career progression and professional standards for Executive PAs & Secretaries

MODERATION & QUALITY ASSURANCE

• To ensure fairness and credibility:
• Standardised marking guides will be used
• Facilitators will moderate assessments
• Practical tasks will follow real workplace standards
• Feedback will be provided to all participants

CERTIFICATION STRUCTURE

Certificate Awarded

Certificate of Completion
or

Professional Certificate in Executive PA & Secretarial Practice

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Participants must:

• Attend at least 80% of training sessions
• Complete all assessment components
• Achieve a minimum overall score of 50%

RECORD KEEPING & VERIFICATION

• Attendance registers maintained
• Assessment records securely stored
• Certificates issued with unique reference numbers
• Verification available upon request

ALIGNMENT & RECOGNITION ( NON CREDIT BEARING

This framework can be aligned with:

• Corporate competency frameworks
• Public sector capacity-building standards
• Professional administrative standards
• Internal HR development programmes