Minute Taking Courses
Minute taking is one of the few tasks where a mistake becomes part of the permanent record. Our IEAA-accredited minute-taking courses build the skill and the confidence to record board, committee and executive meetings accurately, whatever the meeting throws at you. Courses start at £199 and can be booked individually or as part of a diploma.
Which minute-taking course is right for you?
| Course | Length | Price | Take this if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minute Taking Course | 1 day | £199 | You take minutes at meetings and want a reliable method for capturing, structuring and writing them up |
| Speed Writing Course | 1 day | £199 | You struggle to capture enough during the meeting itself and want a faster note taking method than longhand |
| Company Secretary for Executive Assistants Course | 2 days | £699 | You support a board and need governance knowledge as well as minute taking, including resolutions and annual meetings |
What you will learn on the Minute Taking Course
- Preparing properly, from the agenda and papers to knowing who is attending and what is being decided
- Capturing the right material during the meeting without trying to record everything
- Distinguishing a decision, an action and a discussion point, and knowing which belongs in the record
- Structuring minutes so they can be read quickly and acted on
- Writing in a clear, neutral style suitable for a formal record
- Handling the harder situations: a fast discussion, an unclear decision, a disagreement that needs recording carefully
- Circulating, approving and storing minutes correctly
Who the courses are for
These courses are designed for Executive Assistants, Executive PAs, PAs, Office Managers, Committee Secretaries and anyone who minutes meetings as part of their role. No previous training is assumed, and delegates range from people minuting their first team meeting to senior EAs supporting a board.
How the courses are delivered
Courses run in our live virtual classroom, taught in real time by a trainer with group exercises and practice throughout. For corporate groups, we also deliver the training at your own premises or as a private virtual class, tailored to the meetings your team actually attends.
Your qualification
Every course leads to an IEAA accredited certificate. Our accreditation is written specifically for Executive Assistants and administrative professionals, so employers recognise it as evidence of professional standing in the role. Courses can be taken on their own or as part of the Executive Assistant Diploma Level 5. See the full range on our executive assistant courses page.
Training Courses
Why minute-taking still matters in the age of AI
Use the six points from the previous version here, in the same order: minutes taken by hand at board level, the minute taker as an active participant, judgement about what goes in, ownership of accuracy, legal weight, and nuance. Then the closing paragraph about AI changing the workflow rather than removing the role.
Skills that support minute taking
The Speed Writing Course gives minute takers a method for capturing information quickly during the meeting itself, which still matters when recording is not permitted. Senior EAs supporting a board often go on to the Company Secretary for Executive Assistants Course, which covers board minutes, resolutions and annual general meeting requirements.
Our Microsoft Office Courses for an Executive Assistant also support this work, since minutes are usually taken in Teams, written up in Word and shared through SharePoint.
What is the format of the courses?
Our minute taking courses are delivered in a live virtual classroom. A trainer teaches the session in real time, so you can ask questions, take part in discussion and work through practical exercises with the rest of the group. You join from your own desk using a browser and a headset, and nothing needs to be installed.
Can I book a private course for my team at work?
Yes. Private courses are available for teams, either in a virtual classroom for your group alone or at your own location, where a trainer travels to you. Contact us with the number of delegates and the dates you have in mind and we will arrange it.
Can I book by invoice?
Yes. Email us to request an invoice, and please include your company details in that email so we can raise it for you quickly.
Is the course accredited and are certificates issued?
Yes. The course is accredited by the IEAA, our own qualification framework for Executive Assistants and administrative professionals, and a certificate is issued on completion.
Is there an exam at the end of the course?
No. The certificate is based on attendance. There are practical exercises and coursework to work through during the course itself, so you apply what you learn as you go rather than sitting a written exam at the end.