Whether you’re already a working personal assistant, or aspiring to be one, your career can benefit from a number of qualifications and certifications. Several organizations offer specific PA courses suited to the profession, while others are broader in their topics, but highly applicable to the role.
In this blog we’ll look at five of the best personal assistant courses, covering the spectrum from online personal assistant skills to full-time certificates. If you are new to the personal assistant role and wondering how to become a PA, you may very well be nervous about not being qualified for the job. We’re here to put your mind at ease, and show you exactly what actions you can take to land your dream PA job.
Do I need a degree to be a personal assistant?
Before we delve into some fantastic options for educating your PA, let’s first address a common question you may have: Do you need a degree to be a personal assistant?
The short answer is no – many positions in the Authority will require an education up to level A only. The long answer is – it depends on the work of the particular authority. In formal and higher-pressure workplaces such as corporate finance, private equity or family offices, a bachelor’s degree may be a prerequisite, while the more interesting and higher-paying PA positions will of course be attainable with a degree.
However, there are alternatives to the degree that can be just as powerful when it comes to PA jobs. That’s why we recommend you consider the personal assistant courses below – getting these achievements to your name will greatly improve your job prospects and career progression opportunities.
Oxford School of Media and Business
OMBS is a highly regarded business school that regularly produces the most sought-after PAs, many of whom find work through Tiger. The OMBS Professional Business Certificate is an excellent alternative to university if you already have a clear vision of your career and want to hit the ground running. Only one year long, the course is intensive, practical, and provides students with a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge of the authority desired by the authority’s hiring managers.
Quest Professional
of London Explore Personal assistants also have a strong reputation with employers, with a staggering 97% of their graduates securing employment after completing their courses. Quest is a great option for both A-level school graduates and university graduates. They offer a certificate course as an alternative to degrees, as well as a postgraduate training program that gives graduates the real-world business acumen to help them make a successful transition from campus to office.
Pitman training
If you’re looking for accessible personal assistant courses that you can take on your own time, look no further Pitman training. They run diploma courses for personal assistants, in addition to those in executive assistant jobs and virtual assistant jobs, all of which can be studied online or in person. For the PA just looking to keep their skills up to date, Pittman also offers less intensive courses and seminars.
Your excellence
Another great academy worth exploring for online personal assistant courses is Your excellence. Their accredited and regulated qualifications are designed to raise the performance of PAs and EAs through management training, and are therefore of huge benefit to existing PAs looking to take the next step in their careers.
Admin support
Executive Support magazine is itself a brilliant resource for PAs and EAs, but they also act training programs. Their personal assistant courses are conducted online or in person, in many major cities around the world, and are suitable for entry level to senior management. The reputation of the magazine allows them to obtain leading experts in the industry to train students.
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Personal assistant courses should be a consideration at every stage of your career as an authority, due to the ever-changing nature of the role. However, at the beginning of your PA journey, you should rely on all the skills you have as you aim to impress a hiring manager. Read our guides to PA resumes, PA personal statements, and PA cover letters for insider tips on how to make your experience shine!
When you’re ready to apply for your next job at the PA, go to our job search page.
