Whether you want to improve your admin skills, brush up on your shorthand to boost your employability, or need to learn to touch type to enhance your performance at work, learning office and secretarial skills can be both fun and useful. Hotcourses spoke to Kate Scott, who secured a great personal assistant job after taking a PA course at Pitman Training.

Name: Kate Scott
Course: PA Diploma
Institution: Pitman Training

Q. Why did you choose your PA Diploma course?
I completed my A-levels, but didn’t really want to do three years of research at university. I wanted to do something practical and vocational that would get me a decent job. A friend of mine told me about Pitman Training centres and I found one in Hammersmith, which was great as I could start straight away.

Q. Describe a typical course session.
The centre is laid out like an office and the applications on the computer are identical to those used in a real office. It felt like I was at work, except it was informal and I had access to help whenever I needed it.
 
Q. Did your course differ from your expectations?
I had envisaged a classroom situation and instead I got a professional and very supportive environment. Each course I did towards my PA Diploma was at my own pace. If I didn’t understand it, I would ask a question or just redo a lesson so that I understood it all before I moved on.

Q. How has your life changed since?
I now have a job and I’m earning real money with great prospects. Employers were definitely impressed that I had taken the time out to do a vocational qualification, especially as it was at my own expense. My manager said that it was a real sign of commitment and dedication on my part and was one of the reasons he took me on. I am going take more advanced IT courses and improve my skills, which will help me get promoted.

Q. What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking a PA Diploma course?
Go for it. Start as soon as soon as possible and apply for jobs while doing the course – don’t wait until you finish.