Professional Office Administration


Professional Office Administration training is a five day, in-class or online instructor-led, program for women and gender diverse individuals interested in clerical and administrative related careers.

This program focuses on developing essential skills needed to work in a business environment:

  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication in the workplace
  • Data management and record keeping
  • Office protocol and business etiquette
  • Preparing, organizing meetings
  • Making travel arrangements

 
Through a series of quick and affordable workshops, participants will learn more about Canadian office practices and etiquette.

By the end of this program, you will


  • Have a better understanding of professional business practices
  • Learn basic skills in communication and office protocols
  • Assess your skill level in a variety of office work practices
  • Learn current and necessary administrative skills
  • Improve your interpersonal and communication skills
  • Benefit from dynamic and interactive learning environment

Course Fee


$500* for this five day training.

* You may be eligible for this training for free. Fee subsidy options are also available to others. Call the Skills Development Centre for details.

Course Outline


Day 1 – Verbal Communication

  • General rules for in person business greetings and introductions, including body language and vocabulary
  • General telephone etiquette including screening calls and recording messages
  • Handling difficult customers – theory and practice
  • Tips and suggestions to improving listening skills

 
Day 2 – Written Communication in the workplace

  • How to prepare various business correspondence – letters, memoranda
  • Styles and format of business writing – basic letter writing principles; punctuation and codes; letters for signature
  • How to read and fill out various forms – invoices, order forms and shipping documents
  • Procedures for handling and processing incoming and outgoing mail

 
Day 3 – Data Management and Record Keeping

  • Importance of Data Management and Record Keeping
  • Types of filing systems – alpha, numeric, geographic, etc.
  • Functions of a file room
  • Management of active and inactive records
  • Purging and shredding files

 
Day 4 – Office Protocol and Business Etiquette

  • How to set up and organize your work station
  • Ordering and managing office supplies
  • How to effectively use a day timer, manage time and improve workplace performance
  • Planning and scheduling
  • Interpersonal skills required for the office
  • Workplace etiquette
  • Confirming and clarifying instructions
  • Tips and tools to general business protocol

 
Day 5 – Preparing, Organizing Meetings and Making Travel Arrangements

  • Preparations for formal and informal meetings and conferences including agenda, notices, resources, assembling supplies and reserving boardrooms, etc.
  • Recording and preparing minutes of meetings
  • Follow-up of meetings and conferences
  • Arranging and participating in teleconferencing and team meetings
  • Arranging and organizing travel arrangements
  • Preparing itineraries, travel advance and expense vouchers

Contact Us


YWCA Toronto Skills Development Centre
416.269.0091 x231
ywcatrainingcentre@ywcatoronto.org

Testimonials


"I developed my interpersonal skills and learned how to arrange meetings and business trips."

"Through this program I learned how to compose professional business letters."

"I wouldn’t change anything in this program as it was very informative and beneficial."