Secretarial Diploma Level 7
Brentwood Open Learning College is proud to offer this all-new Secretarial Diploma Level 7, now open for enrolment. Our exclusive online training programs are flexible enough for even the busiest lifestyles, with no fixed study schedules or deadlines. This endorsed Secretarial Course Level 7 is open to anyone looking to build a successful career in the field - no prior knowledge or experience necessary. Each of the 20 self-paced modules examines a different topic or knowledge area, including telephone skills, record keeping, presentation skills, office management, conflict resolution, business etiquette and many more besides. On-demand tutor support is available throughout and we include all essential learning materials as standard with all our secretarial courses. Enrol today, or contact our student support team anytime if you have any questions.
At Brentwood Open Learning College, we work hard to support candidates from all backgrounds in pursuit of their professional goals. Our top-level Diploma in PA and Secretarial Skills is delivered over a series of 20 modules, each covering an important topic or knowledge area:
Module 1 - The Job Functions of a PA / Secretary
The course begins by examining the primary roles and responsibilities of professional PAs and secretaries, with a look at the daily routines of executive admin workers, the types of people who hire PAs and the reasons they hire them.
Module 2 - Telephone Skills
Module Two touches upon the telephone skills needed to get by as a successful PA or secretary, with a look at the principles of good telephone etiquette, factors to consider with long-distance calling and the professional approach to leaving voice messages.
Module 3 - Mail Services and Shipping
Candidates then consider the advantages and disadvantages of the various mail and shipping services available, along with how to select an appropriate shipping method in accordance with the nature and requirements of the consignment.
Module 4 - Travel Arrangements
Making travel arrangements on behalf of other people is discussed in Module Four, which presents an overview of the information that must be gathered to make reservations. The potential advantages of booking through a commercial travel agent are also discussed.
Module 5 - Organising Meetings
Module Five takes a look at the anatomy of a meeting, while discussing a series of different types of meetings and the reasons they take place. The role of the PA or secretary in organising, scheduling and hosting different types of meetings is also discussed.
Module 6 - Time Management
The benefits of adopting a proactive approach to time management follow in Module Six, which looks at the consequences of procrastination and the benefits of working to a routine. Daily schedules and action plans for the professional PA are also brought into discussion.
Module 7 - Keeping Accurate Records
The basics of effective record keeping are presented and discussed in module seven, guiding candidates through the process of alphabetising records for quick and convenient retrieval. Tips and guidelines for keeping computer files in order are also provided.
Module 8 - Writing Business Letters
Module Eight examines the art of effective letter-writing, highlighting the differences between various types of business letters and their main purposes. Candidates learn how to begin and end business communications the right way, while considering essential e-mail protocol for administrators.
Module 9 - Other Written Communication
Module Nine brings additional internal and external communications into discussion, including the functions and objectives of memorandum reports. The benefits of honed editing and proofreading skills are also discussed, along with the use of templates when writing reports.
Module 10 - Presentation Skills
The principles of effective presentations are presented and discussed in Module 10, which outlines several different types of presentations a PA or secretary may be involved in. The importance of thorough planning and preparation is emphasized, along with how to boost a presentation with props and visual aids.
Module 11 - Communication Skills
Module 11 outlines the most essential communication skills the professional PA or secretary must master, with strong focus on the use and interpretation of nonverbal communication. Candidates also consider a series of customer service fundamentals in relation to communication.
Module 12 - Active Listening
Activities and exercises for building better listening skills are presented in Module 12, which examines the distinction between active listening and passive hearing. Candidates are also presented with a detailed overview of the main forms of nonverbal communication.
Module 13 - Administrative Skills
Administrative skills and duties within the field of PA and secretarial services follow in Module 13, which takes a look at the different types of business environments and the social responsibilities of a business. The fundamentals of business ethics are also discussed briefly.
Module 14 - Office Management & Supervision
Leadership skills in PA and secretarial services are discussed in Module 14, focusing on team leadership and workplace supervision in an office setting. Tips for building trust in a team are also presented, along with a look of the concept of whistleblowing.
Module 15 - Budgets and Managing Money
A look at the budgeting and financial management responsibilities of the professional PA follow, with emphasis on the importance of educated and informed decision-making. The different types of budgets a PA or secretary may be required to manage are also discussed.
Module 16 - Dealing with Difficult People and Conflict Resolution
The art of effectively resolving workplace disputes is dissected and discussed in Module 16, which takes a look at the most common causes of disputes and the separate stages of conflict. Tips and guidelines for dealing with challenging people and difficult situations are also presented.
Module 17 - Business Ethics for the Office
A more detailed look at office ethics follows in Module 17, highlighting the benefits striving for an ethical workplace culture. Candidates are presented with a step-by-step guide to developing and implementing a workable code of ethics for the office.
Module 18 - Business Etiquette
Business etiquette essentials are explored in Module 18, which emphasises the importance of appropriate conduct to suit the situation or scenario in question. Business affairs and events that call for appropriate conduct are presented and discussed, including business dining.
Module 19 - Effective Planning and Scheduling
Strategic planning in the field of PA and secretarial services is discussed in Module 19, which introduces learners to the functions and objectives of the work breakdown structure. A look at risk management from the perspective of the professional PA or secretary is also included.
Module 20 - Microsoft Office Skills
The course concludes with an insightful introduction to the three most widely-used office applications in the world - Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. Candidates learn how to perform a variety of everyday tasks with each of these three Microsoft Office applications.
At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the components the learner has completed as part of the course).
This course and/or training programme has been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. This course and/or training programme is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. Your training provider will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example progression routes into further and/or higher education. For further information please visit the Learner FAQs on the Quality Licence Scheme website.
