Medical Office Award

“I left school in 2010 with 3 A-Levels and the opportunity to study at a top university. After a year working in retail alongside unfortunate periods of ill-health stemming from a medical condition that I was born with, I decided that university just wouldn’t suit me. The decision to ‘skip’ the university step lead me to Pitman Training.
I studied for the Executive PA Diploma, starting in September 2011 and completing by April 2012. My electives were Marketing, PR and Advertising. I studied Teeline shorthand and attended the Executive PA seminar.
Following completion of the Executive PA Diploma, I was immediately signed to Office Angels’ temp books and quickly became their most requested temps. I worked for a variety of organisations including law firms, wealth management firms, business centres, health centres and accountancy bodies. I even did a bit of events work for music gigs which was great fun. My last assignment with Office Angels was an Administrator/PA position at the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAS). After three months I was offered a full-time, permanent position.
I was an Administrator/PA at ICAS for 15 months and I used all of my Pitman skills on a daily basis. I have now just started a new job as Secretary to the Edinburgh Residential sales team at Knight Frank, a global organisation which presents huge opportunities for my career going forwards. I see myself working for Knight Frank for many years to come.
Without my qualification and skills gained through the Executive PA Diploma I wouldn’t be in the position that I am today. The staff at York Place were incredibly kind and helpful and made the training environment a very happy one. The flexible approach to study proved invaluable especially during periods of ill health. I am pleased to say that I am happy, healthy and loving living in Edinburgh and working full-time – something we never thought would be possible a couple of years ago.
I would recommend the Executive PA Diploma to absolutely anybody. Not only do you learn many new computer skills – even as a fairly ‘tecchy’ person – but you actually learn a lot about yourself and where your strengths/weaknesses lie. I found the Executive PA Seminar particularly helpful as it gave me a real insight into the life of a high-level PA. My decision not to go to university was definitely not an easy one and it was daunting at first but I’m so pleased with where my career is at now. I’m very fortunate to have a full-time, permanent job in the current market when so many of my friends are struggling to find a job after 3 years at university.”