Business administration with digital skill: how to be an administrator (foundation)

What is the course about?

This course will equip you to do the essentials of administration work. You will understand what is expected of an effective administrator and develop the types of skills and strengths needed such as good communication, efficient organisation and effective decision-making. You will focus on how to plan and prioritise tasks, create schedules, manage on-line files and emails, and communicate effectively in person, on the phone, on-line and in emails and other written communications. You will also practise how to organise and conduct meetings, take minutes and summarise information. You will take away key principles and practical skills to enable you be a confident and competent administrator.

What will we cover?

We will cover the key areas needed to be an administrator, including:
• what is the role of an administrator
•planning and prioritising tasks and creating schedules - including using Outlook to keep track of what you need to do
• managing on-line files and emails - including how to create effective file and email management systems
• communicating effectively in person, on the phone and on-line including via emails
• how to format and lay out an official letter in Word
• organising and conducting meetings
• taking minutes and summarising information
•managing simple basic data through Excel.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• identify what is required of an effective administrator
• plan and prioritise tasks and create schedules - including using Outlook to keep track of what you need to do
• manage on-line files and emails - including create an effective file and email management system
• communicate effectively in person, on the phone and on-line including emails
• format and lay out an official letter in Word
• organise and conduct meetings
• take minutes and summarise information
• use Excel to manage basic data.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for anyone currently an administrator or would like to become one. It is also for anyone who has to do a lot of administration work in their job who wishes to develop their office skills. The course will require a degree of competence in Word and Outlook so you are advised to complete our Becoming Confident series in Word and Outlook courses if you are unsure of your skills in this area. Our Becoming Confident in Excel course might also be beneficial to you.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment. The tutor will guide you to discover features of administration work rather than just tell you. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• Business administration: ICT skills for business (advanced)
• Business Administration: how to be a PA (foundation)
• Business Administration: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access (intermediate-level 2)
• Touch typing and keyboard skills
• Business Administration: getting ready for level 3 certificate in IT user skills - ICDL Advanced (intermediate)
• Business Administration with digital skills: how to be organised, efficient and customer-focused using Outlook and OneNote (intermediate)
• Business administration: how to organise and manage with OneNote, MS Outlook and OneDrive (intermediate)
• Essential digital skills for the workplace: Word, Excel and PowerPoint (foundation-level 1)

We recommend combining these courses with the following:
• Workplace communication skills: letters, emails, memos, notes, meetings and presentations (level 1)
• Workplace communication with digital skills: English for the office and business (intermediate level 1-level 2)
• Business administration with digital skills: communication skills in a business environment (advanced level 2)
• Becoming data literate: how to understand and interpret the data all around you (level 1-2)
• Becoming data literate: how to present data for work or study (level 2)
• Becoming data literate: understanding data and how it is presented from pie-charts to bell curves (level 2)
• Maths for business: the essential skills to run a company and make a profit (level 1-2)
• Maths for business with Excel: the essential skills to run a company and make a profit (level 1-2)

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.