In the past PA type work was far more functional. It required a set of skills that would remain with you throughout your career. This was largely due to a lack of automation in Administration functions within an office. Changes in technology and business functions enabled many PAs to become more involved in the business. This has had a huge effect on the nature of PA work. The move towards PAs, Executive assistant and other related roles becoming more involved in business matters. PAs are adding greater value in their fields. This has opened the doors to PAs gaining greater skills, influence, career paths and salaries. This is hugely exciting for anyone who is looking to work in a PA role, as it means that there are far more possibilities.
Successful PA must have Career Plan
However, as PA roles have become more high powered there is a new pressure on PAs. This is something that higher level professionals have faced for years and their professional bodies responded with developing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training. This meant that many professional bodies (including Accountants, Lawyers and many more) were required to update their skills each year to meet their business’ changing demands. Ultimately, this ensured that they kept ahead of their competing peers when it came to job application, but also met the demand from their employers for skills.
Now that PA and Executive Assistant careers have gained a higher level of skill demands and are constantly changing. PAs must respond by planning our own CPD training and keeping ahead of freshly qualified PAs. Therefore, this is to ensure that we get the high paid Executive PA or EA roles.
PA’s lack the universal professional institution that guides their professional development training. Pro-active PAs can ensure that they develop their own long-term skills. PAs must research and plan their development. A PA can use the resources and guidance of established PA trainers. Ideally, you should keep in mind the changing demands of PA roles and the new skills being demanded.
You can then plan your own professional development to ensure that in the future your CV remains competitive and does not become obsolete. A PA can move upwards / sideways to the job that you have ambitions to gain. In our next article we will talk about the current trends in PA work.
Find out more about PA CPD Training at www.souterstraining.com