Why You Need Training Courses for Your Administrative Assistants & Office Administration Staff

We asked administrative assistants how often their employer provides ongoing training. For many administrative assistants (38%), there is absolutely no ongoing training; 45% reported that they receive training from their employer, but only when a need arises or if they push hard enough for it; and only 17% reported that there was a consistent plan in place.

The results clearly show that employers are falling short in this important area.

That is a big mistake, because prioritizing your administrative staff’s learning and development has a ripple effect that can be felt throughout your organization.

Let’s go through three ways that your whole team will benefit when you provide regular, meaningful learning opportunities for your administrative staff.

We will cover:

• What to Look for When Booking Training for Your Administrative Professionals
• Three Benefits of Consistent, Proactive, and Meaningful Training for Your Support Staff
• How Can Great Canadian Training Help Your Administrative Assistant?
• Developing Essential Administrative Skills: Organizational Skills, Time Management, and Effective Communication
• Why Learn with Great Canadian Training?
• How to Get Started

What to Look for When Booking Training for Your Administrative Professionals  

When considering training options, focus on practicality and relevance. You want training that is going to teach skills that can be directly applied in the workplace.  

Equally important is finding a training provider that values and understands the unique contributions of administrative staff. At Great Canadian Training, we recognize the indispensable role administrative professionals play in organizational success. That's why we've prioritized building a strong administrative team, knowing that their skills are essential for driving our growth and efficiency. 

Because of our conversations with our own team, as well as our experience helping many organizations, we know the unique challenges that support staff face when attending training. For example, we know it can be difficult to arrange coverage. That is why we stand behind our courses and ensure they are "Guaranteed to Run". You can book training with confidence, knowing that it won't be rescheduled or canceled.  

Three Benefits of Consistent, Proactive, and Meaningful Training for Your Support Staff

1. They Will Be More Productive

Today’s admins are expected to be much more than a receptionist or a typist. Their work experience expands beyond the clerical and includes being project managers, office managers, event planners, customer service reps, organizers, and so much more.

Often, administrative assistants take on the front-line strategic functions traditionally handled by HR or operations – things like onboarding new hires and event planning. They are very often also tasked with culture-related responsibilities like planning off-site events, managing perks like office snacks, and generally maintaining the office vibe.

When it comes down to it, admins are expected to keep things running smoothly, no matter what it takes. Think of them as a sort of “utility player” on a baseball team. They’re Jacks- and Jills-of-all-trades, expected to perform at a high level in a ton of different situations.

In short, they are the cornerstone of your organization.

It’s a lot to do. So being able to do things more efficiently and effectively is a must for today’s admin professional. Consistent, meaningful training is an absolute necessity to keep their edge and handle the pressure.

2. Your Organization Will Be Better Organized

Not only are admins keeping other people—and themselves—organized, they’re also usually tasked with organizing digital and physical files, along with project tasks, budgets, and other duties.

More and more of us are working in a remote environment where people are not working together side by side. Things can get misplaced or forgotten, falling through the cracks. Your admin is the key to knowing where everything is and being able to pull it all together.

Therefore, they need to know how to use digital tools to create processes and maintain those systems. Consistent and meaningful training is the only way to keep up with it all.

3. Your Team Will Attract and Retain Top Administrative Talent

Over the past few years, employees have been leaving the workforce or switching jobs in droves. For many, a big part of the reason to join the job search is dissatisfaction with their employer. Workers are opting to leave unsupportive employers and transition to jobs in which they feel they are more appreciated and will have access to better resources.

That includes your office assistants, administrative assistants, and more. 

Let’s look at today’s largest workforce – millennials. They have different expectations and demands than the generations of their parents. How do they feel about training? The answer is clearly summarized in this article: Why Does Training Mean So Much to Millennials?

Today’s professional, like most other millennials, expects to feel a sense of mentoring, a sense of belonging, and a well-defined career path. And that is only further amplified as Gen Z enters the job market. 

You know how quickly your team can be negatively affected when your administrative foundation is weak. You also know the costs involved in onboarding new employees as replacements. Therefore, to attract and retain the very best of the best, you need to demonstrate that you are committed to their ongoing learning and development.

How Can Great Canadian Training Help Your Administrative Assistant?

At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, we know that your staff are the backbone of your operations. They are the ones that everyone turns to when they need help. They are your secret weapon, with their finger on the pulse, and they know all the office procedures and where everything is.

You can transform them from task-doers to strategic partners by giving them the tools and strategies they need to grow. 

Your admin staff needs to maintain a wide range of skills to support you and your team, from mastering Microsoft tools to strengthening their professional skills. Our courses are designed to guide them to greater success and an increased sense of attachment to your organization.

Training Courses for Administrative Assistants

You can view our courses that are most well-suited to developing your support team here, but we have broken these courses down into these broad categories:

• Software training, including many of Microsoft’s programs and working with various accessibility tools
• Professional skills training, designed to improve time management skills, communication skills, and business communication (including business writing and minute taking)
• Challenges within their roles, such as navigating difficult conversations or project management

Our software courses will help them become better organized by training them how to properly use key productivity software like OneNote, Outlook, and Planner.

When it comes to software, your team probably has a good base knowledge from attending an administrative assistant program. But are they up to date on its latest updates? 

View all our administrative assistant courses here.

Upskilling Workshops: Administrative Support Training That Maximizes Your Staff's Time  

Your administrative support team is likely already adept at using basic functions in Microsoft software, like crunching numbers in an Excel spreadsheet, drafting documents in Word and managing schedules in Outlook. However, keeping up with Microsoft's frequent updates and new features can be a challenge, meaning that your team may be falling behind.  

At Great Canadian Training, we see this challenge, and that is why we offer specialized Upskilling workshops to address it. These workshops are short, focused sessions aimed at filling in the missing pieces and helping your team stay up to date. They're tailored to help your staff stay current and proficient in their use of these essential programs, ensuring they can make the most of the tools available to them. 

We also know that it can be hard to set aside the time for training - especially for your support staff. This is one of the many benefits to our Upskilling workshops. They optimize the time you have by concentrating on specific skills and functionalities that your team may not be familiar with.  

Learn more about our Upskilling workshops.

Developing Essential Administrative Skills: Organizational Skills, Time Management, and Effective Communication 

Often, administrative professionals are on the front lines of your organization and are responsible for much of the oral and written communication directed at internal and external stakeholders. From taking meeting minutes to more effective customer service, our communication and writing courses will help them better develop this aspect of their role to benefit your entire organization.

Our professional skills training courses are beautifully designed to instill a sense of satisfaction in a job well done. Our course catalog includes helping your team improve their time management, navigate difficult conversations, or run small- to medium-sized projects. Our series of courses dealing with administrative challenges includes these and more topics that will help them work through various dynamics and challenges.

Let's highlight two of our popular courses.

GREAT Time Management with Outlook

For many administrative professionals, staying on top of everything—meetings, emails, deadlines—can feel overwhelming. This course helps you make the most of Outlook so you can stay organized and on top of your tasks. You’ll learn how to manage your calendar, set up reminders, and use Outlook’s tools to keep everything in check, so you can focus on what really matters. Whether you're coordinating meetings, handling multiple projects, or simply trying to keep your day on track, this course will help you manage your time more effectively and reduce the stress that comes with a busy schedule.

Keep Track of Your Meetings with Minute Taking Essentials 

Taking minutes at meetings is a key responsibility for many administrative professionals, and this course is designed to make that process easier and more effective. You’ll learn how to capture the most important details during meetings, organize your notes quickly, and create clear, actionable minutes that everyone can follow. Whether you're jotting down action items or summarizing key points, this course will help you streamline your minute taking so your team always has accurate, reliable records. It's perfect for admins who want to feel confident in their note-taking skills and ensure that meetings stay productive and organized.

View all our administrative assistant courses here.

Why Learn with Great Canadian Training?

When you choose our training, you're getting more than just a course—you're gaining a GREAT experience that supports your team from start to finish. Whether you're in an entry-level administrative role or managing office operations as an executive assistant, our in-person and online courses are designed to enhance the skills needed for success in today’s fast-paced workplace. We offer practical training, not just theoretical knowledge, that covers everything from organizational skills and calendar management to effective communication and problem-solving, ensuring that your team can perform their administrative duties with confidence.

Our classes are guaranteed to run, and with after-training support, you can book with confidence, knowing you’ll get the most out of your training budget. We tailor the education program to suit the specific needs of your team, whether they are focused on legal support, virtual assistance, or handling daily operations.

Simply put, our courses give your team the knowledge and technical skills they need to succeed, setting them up for a successful career in your organization.

Don't wait…book today and give your administrative staff the tools they need to thrive!

• Guaranteed to run – you can book with confidence, especially if you are arranging for coverage
• Get the most out of your training budget with after-training support
• Customized to your workplace