Underway at Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi, the training has been convened by Waifem in collaboration with the African Capacity Building Foundation and will run from 4 to 12 August 2014.
Speaking on behalf of the governor of Central Bank of the Gambia, Oumie Samba-Savage, second deputy governor said: “In the past, the role of the secretary was limited to typing, answering telephone calls and taking notes, as the secretary was seen as a person employed to take orders, write letters, carry out dispatches and keep records. The expectations were all about the clerical aspects of secretarial work, which was the job description that existed up to the 1970s. Over time, the expectations of executive assistants have changed a great deal, and their roles and responsibilities in organisations have also evolved.
“While the clerical component is still an essential part of what executive assistants do, routine secretarial duties are low in priority and much more is expected from them today. Some of the key expectations from modern executive assistants are good knowledge of the business; exceptional organisational skills, good interpersonal skills; good decision making capabilities, and excellent written, analytical and organisational skills. It is clear that greater professionalism has been introduced into the work of executive and personal assistants. Executive assistants might set up and oversee administrative policies and procedures for officials.”
She added: “They may work with departments and corporate officials, and liaise with other organisations and associations on behalf of the executive. Indeed, the personality and capability of an executive assistant can impact on how the senior executive is perceived by others, and how the organisation is perceived by key stakeholders. As the first contact point for internal and external clients, the executive assistant is the face of the executive team. The effective executive assistant frequently upgrades his knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of his/her calling.”
Delivering his welcoming remarks, Waifem director general Professor Akpan Ekpo said: “The course on productivity enhancement for secretaries and personal assistants has become increasingly popular because of the urgent need to bring to the fore the important support role of secretaries and personal assistants in institutions and governments given the highly demanding and busy schedules of chief executive officers .It is designed to provide executive assistants and secretaries of CEOs and directors with the critical knowledge and skills necessary for effective and enhanced job performance, the course will enable participants to learn and understand the roles, duties and responsibilities of the executive assistant/secretary, personal assistant and senior secretary; acquire the knowledge and skills in office administration and management essential for the effective discharge of their responsibilities; develop and upgrade interpersonal skills for office management; and update their knowledge of the latest office technologies.”
The courses to be taught to participants encompass personal/administrative assistantship; office administrative issues and challenges; office technologies, records and data management; grammar; effective business communication skills and report writing; minutes writing; and advanced Microsoft word skills and applications.
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