Author: Silva

She has successful managed to take this course, work full-time and be a mother to her children. This is quite an achievement. Furthermore, she successfully got a great job whilst still studying Legal Secretarial skills at Souters. Click here for details of our Legal Secretary Courses

What is your job title?

Secretary PA in the Administration Department of NIMEX Petroleum

What courses did you complete at Souters?

The Legal Secretary Course

Accredited Legal Secretary Courses in London

What did you enjoy about the courses?

There was not a complete focus on the Legal aspects of the role of a Legal Secretary and it was suitable generally for any secretarial, administration or PA role. It was excellent as I got a wide range of skills including Word Processing, Filing, Health & Safety and more. You can apply to Legal Secretary or Admin, Secretary or PA role.

In what ways do you feel that the course has benefited you?

I gained confidence on the job and to apply for a new job, I got my current job while I was still at Souters.

In particular, how has it benefited your career?

In my first ever job as a Secretary, I was able to take the initiative under the mentorship of my boss. I set up new filing systems, word processing templates and new Health and Safety procedures. My manager actually trusted me to take on a lot more responsibilities as a result of the qualification.

Studying in your own time shows organisation, motivation and ambition which will help you get a job or a promotion.

What do you advise to anyone who is considering taking the course?

You should try to do the course and get the qualification. It gives you so much including a recognised qualification, greater confidence and effectiveness in the workplace.

Try to get some work experience to compliment the training as this will help.

What are your future aspirations in your career?

I would like to work at the offices of a larger organisation as an Office Manager or Executive Assistant. I would also like to work in Legal.

Would you consider taking another course to further your career and skill set?

I am currently taking a Bookkeeping Course as this was fundamental to working in my role. I have also started a BA at University (Management with Portuguese).

Legal Secretary Jobs in London

In order to find our more about our Legal Secretary courses please CLICK HERE

Valerie Zen Ruffinen came to take the Executive PA Diploma at Souters. She is based in Berne, in Switzerland and successfully completed her Souters Diploma. Please read about her story and how she has found the courses.

What is your job title?

PA and Junior Recruitment Consultant Agent in Berne

What courses did you complete at Souters?

The Executive PA Diploma which is in two parts commencing with the Secretary PA Diploma and ending with the Executive PA Course.

What did you enjoy about the courses?

This training course offered me an excellent level of exposure in an international environment. I could not find any comparable training course in Switzerland. The training course was generally a good experience and I feel that it has prepared me well in case I decide to move to the UK in future.

In what ways do you feel that the course has benefited you and particularly your PA career ?

The Diploma provided me with the ability to gain a recognised qualification that would enable me to get more jobs, as I had previously failed to get jobs due to a lack of qualification or experience as a PA / EA. Attaining a qualification in London is highly respected in Switzerland and around the globe, as it is an English speaking environment and a global commercial centre. I feel that this will greatly improve my ability to attain a good job at a large company in Zurich, which will increase my salary as well.

Do you feel that travelling to London to do training has benefited you?

It was a good opportunity to gain a well-recognised diploma, as training courses in London are well respected internationally. It also proved my ability to work in an English speaking environment.

What are your future career aspirations?

I would like to get a job in a large international company in Zurich as I need to gain more experience in the field to gain the best jobs, in the future I would like to move abroad to London or maybe further afield. I would also be interested in working as Legal Secretary.

Would you consider taking another course?

Legal Secretary Course or Office Management Diploma

To find out more about our Secretary PA Diploma, please CLICK HERE.

Executive PA Jobs London

Souters has joined the NUS, which enables our students to gain NUS Extra Cards. The NUS Extra Cards enable our students to gain discounts at a range of companies in all sectors. Gyms, Hotels, Travel, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Shopping, Takeaways, Clothes Shops, Entertainment etc. are all offering excellent discounts to NUS Extra Card Holders.

NUS Student Discount Cards

What do you need to be applicable for an NUS Extra Card:

• You need to sign up for our:

• Secretary PA Diploma
• Office Manager Diploma
• Executive PA Diploma
• Administration Diploma
• CILEx Legal Secretary Courses
• Finance Diploma
• CPD Bookkeeping Diploma
• School Leaver Diploma for PAs
• School Leavers Bookkeeping Diploma
• School Leaver Diploma for Administrators
• School Leaver AAT Bookkeeping Training
• Legal PA Diploma

• Contact us to confirm your eligibility. If you have doubts about how to qualify contact us for details also. Either email us at info@souters.org or call us on 02072488987.

• Final step is to pay the NUS their membership fee of £12. Details of this process is supplied.

Get an Admin Assistant Job in London

Advice for Job Seekers

If you are currently on Job Seekers’ Allowance(JSA), you can greatly enhance your employability from Souters’ courses.

Select a course which suits you and then explain to your JCP advisor how this will help you get a job.

Our courses are designed by experienced professionals, who have colluded with employers to create a truly job focused range of courses.

Not all advisors will know how to access this training, so you can mention that the Procserve Supplier Portal will provide access to our courses (some know this as the Zanzibar system).

Here are some links to the various areas of courses that we offer; Secretary Courses, PA Courses, Admin Courses, Microsoft Office Courses, Office Manager Courses, CILEX Courses and other legal courses, Bookkeeping Courses, Typing Courses, Management Training and much more.

Job centres

A lot of Job centres have been accessing courses from Souters, to assist people on JSA improve their chances of attaining employment.

Some Job centres are not aware that Souters is available to quote for training on the Procserve Supplier Transaction Portal ( some know this as the Zanzibar system); as Souters have good links to employers this is a more cost effective route than many other options. Contact Souters if you need to discuss this.

Sara took out Secretary PA Diploma to strengthen her skills as a PA and improve her career prospects.

What course did you take at Souters?

I took the PA/Secretary Diploma (run on Saturdays).

What is your current job?

I am the Deputy Year Leader (Sixth Form) at a successful local secondary school.  The role is a secretarial role including the pastoral care of 300 students in year group.  I am the first point of contact for student/parent enquiries.

Why did you decide to take the course at Souters?

I have been with the school for 10 years and it’s time for a new direction as I no longer need the school holidays.

What did you find enjoyable about the course?

I enjoyed the course thoroughly.  The class size was perfect, everyone was friendly and the initial nerves soon disappeared.  Although we were all at different stages in our lives, it was great to be with others with the same goal.  During class exercises, it was good to hear the experience of others.

How do you feel that the course has benefited you?

The course has given me confidence to know that I can be a successful PA/Secretary outside of an educational environment.  Despite 30 years secretarial experience, I knew that in order to put myself back out there in the job market, I would need to update/refresh my skills and experience.  After day one, I  realised  I was still writing letters in the ‘old fashioned’ way filling in gaps with unnecessary words.  I’m now able to write letters confidently using the 4 point plan and modern speak.  Receiving Distinction was the icing on the cake.

Following your course, did find that your on the job skills had improved?

I thought that I knew Excel/Word because I work with it daily.  However, I learnt far more doing this course than I have at my workplace.  I have been able to pass on what I’ve learnt to my immediate colleagues.

In particular, how has the course benefited your long-term career?

This course will benefit my long-term career because it will show future employers that I have the necessary knowledge/skills they are looking for in an employee. It will show that I am pro-active and keen to continue with my continued professional development.  I hope having this qualification on my CV will make me stand out from the competition.

What do you advise to anyone who is considering taking the course?

Just sign up!  The sooner you can start, the sooner you will be qualified.  The course instructor Joan is lovely and delivers the course in a friendly, professional way.  She has a lot of experience and you will learn a lot (even if you think you know it already)!  The team are very supportive. I had to extend my deadline due to ill-health and was supported by both Darryl, Joan and Aili.

What are your future aspirations in your career?

My future aspirations in my career are to progress from PA to Executive PA.  I would love one day to be able to train others.

Would you consider taking another course to further your career and skill set? Would you consider taking another course to further your career and skill set?

Yes, most definitely.  I really enjoyed the learning – knowledge is a powerful thing.  Depending on the company I end up working for, I would certainly look at what other courses Souters run to enhance my skills.

Careers of a London PA

What was your job prior to taking the course?

Assistant Manager in a retail shop

Since taking the course what is your job now?

I am now an Office Administrator at University of London since September 2015

Why did you decide on course?

After 5 years in retail, I wanted to get a career in an office

What Souters Course have you successfully completed?

PA / Secretary Diploma

Did you enjoy the course?

Yes very much.

How has the course benefited you?

I gained confidence, a professional attitude and knowledge of the various subjects covered especially IT and organising travel which is needed in present job

Were you able to get a job following the course?

I was able to get a job before I had even finished the course. I was actually still doing the last stages of  IT and typing training

What do you advise someone who is considering taking the course?

Get the PA / Secretary Diploma, the interviewers always need too see that you have your Diploma. Souters PA / Secretary Diploma also includes IT Certificates which are always asked for by an interviewer.

What are your future aspirations in your career?

Move within the company as the salary and benefits are excellent

Would you consider taking another course to further your career?

Yes, possibly AAT Bookkeeping Courses

Prior to the course did you apply for jobs?

Yes I did, I actually sent out numerous CVs before the course and had no invites for an interview.

Did the course change your career prospects?

After the PA / Secretary Course and whilst still completing typing skills and IT training, I had 2 job offers after taking 2 interviews and interview tests.

Ali Wilde successfully completed our Secretary PA Diploma and Executive PA Course. Here is a brief interview, showing how much she benefited from and enjoyed attending the course.

What is your job title?

Executive PA to the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Executive

What courses did you complete at Souters?

I took the PA Secretary Diploma Programme and the Executive PA Course.

What did you enjoy about the courses?

I liked the fact that we were in a small group. The mix between classroom learning and practical work was really good. The tutors were brilliant, very knowledgeable, clear and helpful. Course content was excellent, which looked at all aspects of the skills/responsibilities required of a PA.

In what ways do you feel that the course has benefited you?

The PA/Secretary course refreshed my PA skills, giving me the preparation that I required for my change in role within my organisation.  The Executive PA course inspired me to carry out my new PA role with confidence and enthusiasm.

In particular, how has it benefited your career?

It has given me the knowledge and confidence to carry out my high profile PA role.  There have, however, been many challenging moments and I have quite often referred back to the course notes to refresh and remind myself how best to deal with a certain task and that I can do it!

What do you advise to anyone who is considering taking the course?

Go for it!  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

What are your future aspirations in your career?

I don’t have any huge aspirations for the future, just to enjoy being a PA!

Would you consider taking another course to further your career and skill set?

I would definitely consider taking another course

Click on these links to find out more about these courses. Click here for the PA Secretary Diploma Programme and the Executive PA Course.

PA Careers in London