In the first of an occasional series about continuing education for PAs, we review two training courses – one designed to improve core skills and the other focused on helping to boost your confidence in the workplace.
Course: The new PA Provider: Reed Learning
“My current job is my first PA position after several years of secretarial work and so I wanted to find a course that would help me hone my key skills.
“The course was aimed at the first-time PA. There were some people who were new to the role and some who had a little more experience, meaning that it was a useful opportunity to learn from the other participants and share ideas.
“We did an ice-breaker session to start off and several group exercises, presenting back to the group and sharing ideas from flip chart sheets.
“The tutor made learning fun and the afternoon session included a recap of the day’s activities. A comprehensive workbook was provided, along with a pen and a CD containing material to take away and view back at your desk.
“I came away from the course feeling positive and motivated and had lots of ideas to share with my boss the next day. One of the activities was to make a list of objectives generated by the course to subsequently discuss with your manager, to examine how you would work differently as a result of attending.
“I would recommend Reed Learning for its range of courses and the professionalism of its trainers. I look forward to attending a more advanced PA course at some point in the future.”
For further information, visit reedlearning.com
Sarah Portch, PA to Assistant Director of Public Health, NHS Devon
Course: Promoting yourself and your ideas Provider: Chelsea College of Art and Design
Most of the classes at Chelsea College are naturally geared towards art and design. However, there are options aimed at those who want to further different skills, whether to gain responsibility at work, improve their interview technique or learn to give better presentations to potential clients.
“Promoting yourself and your ideas” is a short course with this in mind. The structure is surprisingly personal, beginning with each attendee expressing what they want to achieve. Tutor Chris Kelly interviews us in turn and the small class makes it easy to give feedback to one another or break into pairs for exercises.
Kelly gives us several practical tips, such as the tactic of thinking “I pause and I breathe” at the end of each natural breath. It works wonders for shortening garbled sentences and gives your public speaking more expression.
Although Kelly says it’s regrettable that this is such a short course (just one six-hour session), a lot is achieved thanks to the intimate setting. Each member of the group is even filmed and recorded twice to emulate being in front of a large and scrutinising audience.
Kelly also dispenses insights on sincerity, body language and simple ways to reflect on personal successes, while adhering to the British need never to boast about anything. He explains elements of sales behaviour for presenting ideas and encouraging interest or repeat business – all ideal for public speaking, pushing for new responsibility in the workplace or talking about a raise with your boss.
Most motivating about the course is that those who attend shape the day. We all took away personal tricks and tips for our own working lives, and left more confident about promoting ourselves in general.
The course costs £195 per person. For more information visit chelsea.arts.ac.uk/shortcourses
Nicole Holgate, Features Writer, PA Life
