The secretary's job has quietly become one of the most demanding roles in any organization. What used to be routine tasks — filing, scheduling, answering phones — has expanded into organization, coordination, time management, follow-up, and both internal and external communication, often all in the same afternoon. Offered by the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, this programme was built around that shift.

Rather than treating secretarial work as support work, the programme develops the advanced, decision-ready skills that let participants perform their duties efficiently, professionally and accurately — in step with how modern management actually operates today.

• Strengthen professional efficiency in office and secretarial management.
• Build organizational, planning and coordination skills.
• Use modern management tools effectively in daily tasks.
• Manage effective communication under work pressure and in emergency situations.
• Provide outstanding administrative support to decision-makers and senior management.

Target Audience

• Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.
• Office managers in public and private sector organizations.
• General secretarial staff looking to enhance their skills.
• Employees working in the offices of senior executives and top management.

Module 1: Redefining the Secretarial Role Today

• How secretarial work differs between traditional and executive roles, and how it has evolved in modern organizations.
• Planning office structures and organizing the work environment.
• Interdepartmental coordination and managing documents and information.

Module 2: Communication That Gets Things Done

• Preparing and drafting official correspondence, and administrative writing skills.
• Developing speaking and presentation skills.
• Communication etiquette across managerial levels, active listening and reading non-verbal cues.

Module 3: Meetings, Time and Priorities

• Preparing official meetings, drafting agendas and recording minutes.
• Post-meeting follow-up and documentation.
• Daily and weekly task planning, and managing time pressure with the right tools.

Module 4: Digital Productivity for the Office

• Microsoft Office applications for secretarial work.
• File organization, digital data management, electronic archiving and information security.

Module 5: Digital Collaboration and Problem-Solving

• Professional management of official email, virtual meetings and collaborative technologies.
• Managing shared files and cloud-based platforms.
• Analyzing administrative problems and applying systematic, creative thinking to support decision-makers.

Module 6: Building a Professional Image

• Workplace etiquette and representing the institution.
• Handling sensitive situations with confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Building self-confidence and continuing personal development in the workplace.