About the Course
Help save wasted hours and make your mark in the office! A core role in any office admin, secretarial or PA job is supporting your team, aiding productivity and efficiency in an otherwise manic world! Time is precious and meetings can often be a thorn in our side. Thousands of hours are wasted in the workforce through ‘having meetings’ – but when used properly, productively and proficiently they can be very valuable forms of communication.
If you work as a Secretary, Administrator, PA, EA or Office Manager for instance, your role may involve taking notes or minutes at meetings.
Is this course for you?
If you are required to take notes or minutes in meetings as part of your role, this course will help you increase your speed and efficiency and is a modern alternative to the traditional shorthand systems.
There are three lessons in this course:
Lesson One: what minutes are, the cycle of a meeting, different types of meeting, the purposes and benefits of meetings, the roles of chair, attendee and minute taker, the tasks that a minute taker might undertake before the meeting, notice of the meeting, arranging the venue and refreshments, preparing the agenda, dealing with documents that may be needed for a meeting, distributing the agenda, last minute preparations.
Lesson Two: definition of the role of the minute taker, preparation for the start of the meeting, the four steps of listening, skills to speed up your note taking, what to note down in a meeting, the importance of the liaison between minute taker and chair, confidence, assertiveness.
Lesson Three: grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, how to use reported speech, word processing skills, proofreading, typing up the minutes, distributing the minutes.
Benefits
For anyone who organizes and takes minutes at meetings and those who would like to do this role to a professional standard. What you will learn: The difference between formal...
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‘’I would like to say how much I enjoyed the above course yesterday. I have to say this ranked as one of the very best courses I have attended and I now have a more positive attitude towards meetings/minute taking. Please pass my thanks to the trainer.’’
L D
Marion was an excellent trainer, very clear and concise and I look forward to attending Executive PA course in July in Edinburgh.
Ashley – Executive Assistant – Time Management
“I recently studied Marketing Essential with Pitman Training. I currently deal with marketing in my business. As Managing Director and Marketing Director I felt it necessary to gain some formal training in marketing.
Pitman Training’s course allowed me to study at my own pace in my own time and at my convenience – thus alleviating the stress that returning to study can cause. The on hand tutors provided efficient and effective back up and the training room was a peaceful and relaxed area to study.
I thoroughly recommend Pitman Training – and even signed up for a Diploma course with them as a direct result of enjoying the Marketing Essentials Course.”
GS – Marketing Essentials
If it wasn’t for my training at Pitman Training I would not have been qualified for the job, but because of the Legal Secretarial course, I now have all the skills to be able to carry out my duties. I had been out of work for some time and the course also gave me a the confidence to go out there and find a job that I enjoy and have the hours that fit in with my daughter’s schooling.
N G – Legal Secretary
The course was relaxed, friendly and inclusive. The tutor was experienced and comfortable with answering questions raised not phased by anything.
Linda – Personal Assistant – Executive PA Seminar
“The Executive PA course is by far the best course I have attended. Our Trainer was a fantastic tutor and really knew her subject, she was able to communicate parts of the course content with her own real life experiences. I have attended many courses in the past, some of which were quite boring but I must say the tutor had my full attention over the course of the two days.
The size of class was also perfect, which allowed everyone to have their say and share similar experiences. Overall all, it was a very enjoyable course and I would be keen to attend other relevant courses”
Michelle Anderson—–PA—–Airtricity
I am able to write faster and take minutes of meetings.
Lucy – PA/Business Support Officer – Speedwriting
Julie was excellent, she has given me the tools and skills to go forward as a trainer and do it confidently.
Natalie – Business Travel Consultant – Train The Trainer
“The Fast Track diploma helped me no end. I managed to find a job in a major financial player and the confidence given to me through the relevant courses were valuable. A helpful staff and a flexible time to do the course in were key as it can be suited to everyone. I found a new job in just 2 weeks!”
MO – Fast Track Diploma
“Excellent! Extremely helpful and reassuring, thank you so much for this course!I now feel much more confident and know how to improve my minutes taking techniques.”
Adeline Amar—–Scottish National Gallery of Modern art
“I just wanted to send you a quick email to say thank you most sincerely for finding me a place on the course. I have to say to you that I found the course totally inspirational. I have been on many courses, some dreadful and some ok, but none came anywhere near to the quality delivered by Pitman Training. The Trainer was so energetic, enthusiastic, very knowledgeable, friendly and adaptable to our needs – no wonder you heard the hoots of laughter from the course room, everyone was just enjoying it so much. It was a great group as well, lots of characters and this helped as well.
Our Trainer kept us totally captivated for 3 days and that’s no easy task when delivering – she is a gem. If I could be a Trainer with even half her ability I would be delighted.”
Derek Walker ——Project Manager
The trainer was capable of explaining things so they were easily understood and answered all questions I had during the Intermediate Course.
Amy – Admin Assistant – Access
Very good training and very good facilities. The trainer was very competent, friendly, engaging and welcoming, very patient and good manner.
Andrea – Trainee Administrator – Excel
My knowledge and understanding has vastly improved thanks to Callum. He was an excellent trainer, very patient and information was given clearly. I was able to understand all the formulas!
Lesley – Practice Manager – Excel
“I enrolled with Pitman in August 2008, having been made redundant from my job as a Legal Secretary in July 2008. I studied the Pitman Upgrade to Fast Track Microsoft Skills Diploma. When I returned to work in 2000 having raised my family, I was unfamiliar with computers I undertook a very basic computer course and was lucky to be offered a part time job with a local Solicitors, but I always felt there was so much more to Word and Excel that I did not know. Having spent six months at Pitman doing the above course, I was lucky enough to get a part time job as a typist/receptionist with W R Hall, Chartered Surveyors. Although this job is very different to my last one, I have been able to make use of the skills I learned on your course, especially with Word and Excel.
Having been a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years, in August 2009 I was offered an admin job. I needed to use Access and could confidently do this having completed my training in that as well. I now have two part time jobs which keeps me very busy! I feel sure that I would not have been offered the second admin job if I had not learned Access, as this takes up a great part of my working hours.
I really enjoyed my time at Pitman. The staff were really friendly and helpful and it was a very professional environment to be in. It certainly got me through the six months I was unemployed, as it felt almost like going out to work on the days I attended the Training Centre.”
HG – Fast Track Diploma
“I started the Executive PA/Secretarial Diploma course at the Pitman Training Centre in Edinburgh in August 2012 and followed up with 2 Legal Modules.
Before I started my Pitman Training course I was working in retail and not feeling like I was getting anything out of my job. My training has helped me to build up the knowledge and skills required to work in a much more demanding position and has been a great help to me.
In April 2013, I left my job and applied for a job as a receptionist at a Hotel outside Aberfeldy – a job which a friend had seen advertised and suggested I applied for. The job description entailed working mainly behind reception, dealing with guests, but also comprised of a lot of secretarial based work such as organising functions and meetings and typing up notes and menus etc. I was offered the job only hours after I went for the interview and so of course accepted it straight away.
I applied for the receptionists job 9 months after I began my course, as initially I was in no great rush to find another job, but would rather focus on working through the modules so that I would have the necessary experience for when I did decide to apply for something else.
I have loved doing my Pitman courses and have found the workbooks and online exercises very beneficial. I have enjoyed being able to work through each part of the course in my own time and being able to repeat exercises and aspects of modules has definitely been a help, especially on some of the more tricky subjects. It has made me a feel a lot more comfortable in what I am doing and has allowed me to go over parts that I was having any difficulty with.
All of the tutors and staff at the Centre in Edinburgh have been fantastic, and are always there on the end of the phone or an email whenever I have needed any help or clarification on any part of the course. They have always been more than happy to give me advice and guidance, no matter how trivial I think my questions are.
My experience at Pitman Training has been excellent and I will definitely consider doing another course at the Centre in the future, and would highly recommend it to other people.”
CS – Legal/ Executive PA Diploma
Julie tailored the course excellently to the different interests/problems of the participants. She sought out appropriate material related to our fields of work. I felt the small course size was excellent.
Rachel – Manager – Influencing Skills
I completely understood the topics covered and everything was explained very well. Thank you!
Abbi – Receptionist Seminar
“I first enrolled for a computer course in January 2013, I only had very limited knowledge and knew I had to get more advanced skills. I started with word then decided I was enjoying my course and chatted with Linda the Manager regarding what options I should take and that would be best for me in the working environment, so we decided on Office Diploma.
I had just been made redundant from the Airline Industry, which had been my life for the last twelve years, so I knew I wanted to change my career. I had realised that IT skills are so important as I had now started looking for work and realised very quickly that the job market was very competitive.
I have not mentioned this till now but I am visually impaired and have been since birth so having a disability makes it even more difficult for employers to consider employing a disabled person, when so many abled bodied people are available so the training I received was incredible, the one to one help that the Glasgow ladies gave me was amazing I am surprised I never turned them to drink, but nothing fazed them they provided me with Zoom text and large print books and test papers. I was not very successful at school and the thought of taking exams really scared me but they sat me down and told me I could do it just take my time and they were right I managed to complete my Diploma.
I am now working for a charity called Momentum on the east side of Glasgow on a six months contract which was arrange through another charity to give me some office experience.
I enjoyed every day in the Glasgow office such a lovely atmosphere and such kindness that I was shown was just incredible and gave me a new found confidence.
Thank you team Glasgow, you’re the best.”
DB – Word and Microsoft Office Plus Diploma
I was wary of attending the course as this was new to me but I fitted in very well and had a great two days. Thank you.
Louise – Office Manager – Supervisory Skills
“As I was due to retire from teaching within a few months, I was looking to update my computer skills in order to facilitate a move to part time work in administration/ reception. After a chat with Linda, I decided upon the Fast Track Microsoft Office Diploma. This enabled me to remember work I had previously done in class using Word and PowerPoint and to also extend my use of the programs. The three others modules covered were Outlook, Excel and Access. I have to say Access was the most challenging for me, even though I could see the logic in it!!
I thoroughly enjoyed working through the modules as you are able to work at your own pace and go over areas again and again until you feel comfortable with your understanding. Another very positive aspect to going in to the Centre to work is the invaluable help given by the staff who are friendly and on hand to iron out any little problems; they calm you down when frustration levels begin to rise at your inability to see where you have gone wrong and expertly set you back on the right pathway!
I am delighted to say that I completed the course with Distinction.
At the moment I am not working but am now veering towards working within the NHS. In order to further my chances with this I am currently studying Medical Terminology. Again a bit of a refresher for me as I have previously studied Anatomy and Physiology, but am enjoying it none the less as it makes me use my brain cells. Not a bad thing!
Although not working I have been looking at the Show Website for NHS workers and will also be looking to find temporary work through an agency, if the first option does not work out, in order to gain experience back in an office environment.
I am glad I made the decision to call Pitman and chat to Linda about options. I can be a bit of a learning junkie and once I have the bit between my teeth I may well find another area to study and keep me at Pitman that bit longer.
Very satisfied client”
JN – Fast Track Diploma
The course was catered specifically to spreadsheets I use in my daily business, so was invaluable, useful and relevant.
Jennifer – Examinations Administrator – Excel
“I spent many years living overseas, on returning to Scotland I was frustrated with the difficulty in finding employment due to my lack of work experience or qualifications in a particular field.
Completing the Legal Secretarial Diploma with Pitman Training has certainly changed this by providing me with the skills and confidence I needed to kick start my career.
Throughout the course the Staff were very helpful and friendly and when the time came to consider seeking employment the support and advice they offered was excellent. Just prior to completing the course I was offered a job in the legal department of a major financial institution in Edinburgh.
I’m absolutely delighted. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole training experience with Pitman, without the Diploma I know I would not have been offered the position.”
MG Legal Secretarial Diploma
“I started studying for a Secretarial Diploma with Pitman training in September 2013. After working as a mail room assistant for years, I wanted to move on to a better job with more opportunities.
I researched courses at various colleges but the hours weren’t suitable for me with a full time job. I liked the flexibility of studying with Pitman, it allowed me to study in my own time and at my own pace. At my first meeting with Linda we chatted about what kind of job I would like to do in the future and what kind of organisation I would like to work for. I had originally been interested in taking an ECDL course but after speaking with Linda we decided that a Secretarial Diploma would give me more opportunities of finding the job I was looking for.
I was very impressed with the course materials and facilities and found the course straightforward and easy to follow. The learning environment is very relaxed and girls are all very friendly and helpful. I have learned so many new skills while studying with Pitman and also learned to feel confident in my abilities. In July 2013 I started working as an administrator in an organisation that I have wanted to work in for several years. My new employer, the Scottish Police Federation was impressed by the qualifications I had earned and with the amount of my own time I had dedicated to studying for them. I love my new job and without all the help I received from Pitman Training I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now.
I want to thank all the staff for all the help you gave me and for making the time I spent at the training centre so enjoyable. I would recommend anyone to take a course with Pitman Training and wouldn’t hesitate to take another course if I feel I need to expand the skills I have learned in the future.”
NM – Secretarial Diploma
No Improvement required. Speed, clarity and technique ideal. The trainer was excellent!
Wendy – Receptionist – Meetings and Minutes
The training course helped me to build on my degree and specialise in Microsoft Skills to help me find employment in the computer support and administration industry. I enjoyed being able to get a “hands on” approach from the course.
M H – IT Systems Administrator
“I studied the Fast Track Microsoft Skills Diploma and touch typing. Before my training with Pitman I was unemployed as I had been made redundant. Within 4 months of starting my training I got a job working as Receptionist/Admin for The Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre. I was successful in my application over other applicants due to the training I was doing and my boss was very impressed with the knowledge and skills I had learned with Pitman.
I was promoted to Operations manager within 6 months this was partly due to my knowledge base of Microsoft Office.
I thought the training I received with Pitman was second to none and would recommend your services to anyone. The service is excellent and the staff are very helpful and understanding. Thanks to the excellent service and training of Pitman I am now more confident and efficient at my job.”
NG – Fast Track Diploma
The tutor knew her role very well, she was happy to answer questions and gave good advice on situations.
Elsamarie – Receptionist – Receptionist Seminar
Very useful, customised experience, highly recommended.
Sam – Programme Officer – Project Management Principles
“I studied the Legal Secretarial Diploma with Pitman because I wanted to have some formal IT qualifications and was interested in finding work in the legal or property sector. Before taking the course I was doing housekeeping and cleaning work and I had decided I wanted to look for something with a more administrative focus.
I had used computers a lot before doing the diploma but I now feel like I have a much better and more organised understanding of programmes like Microsoft Word and Excel and I am confident enough to experiment with them.
I thought I could already type very well but I am so much faster now that I’ve done the Typaz and speed development courses.
I have just been offered a job as a Plans Officer with Registers of Scotland through the Pertemps agency. I wouldn’t have been able to apply for this job without my Pitman diploma.
I would definitely recommend Pitman to others, especially other graduates, because it gives you more confidence and more options. I liked being able to work at my own pace and the supervisors in the training room were really helpful with all my modules.”
HB – Legal Secretarial
I successfully completed Executive PA Diploma at Pitman in 2013. With the help of Pitman training I also gained Microsoft 2010 Master Qualification which enabled me to become a confident and proficient administrator in record times.
DT – Executive PA Diploma
Excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 days and found Marion amazing at talking through everything.
Sarah – Office Manager – Exacutive PA Seminar
Excellent facilities. Excellent trinaing course!
Kirsty – Team Organiser – PowerPoint
Everything I have learnt can be used throughout the future not just in my employment. The Information came across well and I will definitely use it throughout my daily routines at work. I was Very impressed by the service today – friendly, welcoming and nothing was too much trouble.
Yvonne – Family Support Worker – Receptionist Seminar
The trainer was very knowledgeable and helpful. The facilities were good to. Very good – highly recommend to anyone.
Dawn – Head of Project Management – MS Project
Marion was excellent. Kept us all motivated. Structured the session well. Looking forward to attending another one of Marions training workshop.
Natalie – Executive Assistant – Report Writing
“I had worked in Lettings Management for over six years and decided to have a complete career change. Pitman Training offered a legal secretarial course which I was able to complete in two and a half months full time and in less than two weeks of completion of the course, I found work.
I registered with a few recruitment agencies but also sent my CV to law firms directly. I am now working as a PA for the main partner of a law firm and training as a paralegal.
Thanks to Pitman and the team at the Edinburgh office, who have been very helpful, I am thankful and happy embarking on my new career.”
RA – Legal Secretarial Diploma
Excellent course, well presented and worthwhile. Thank you!
Katie – Personal Assistant – Word
Great, helpful, friendly staff, good location easily accessible etc.
Sam – Customer Services Administration – Speedwriting
I am really enjoying the challenge of my new career and appreciate all that Pitman Training did to make it possible.
J M – Medical Secretary
The course was invaluable in helping me to work in the publishing industry and my two employers have been very impressed by the diploma.
R J – Publishing
I am now confident in managing manipulative behaviour and also how to manage staff that just do their own thing.
Lorna – Senior Staff Nurse – Conflict Management
Julie was an extremely good deliverer of the course content, very knowledgeable. I noticed she never failed to answer any questions and had offered solutions to all issues put to her.
Paul – Scientist – Supervisory Skills
Very friendly and I never felt that I was being taught anything but the information flowed. Your trainer is the best thing about this course. Thank you Julie.
Tracy – Support Assistant – Train The Trainer
“After graduating a few years ago and going off for a few years to live abroad, I then came back and decided to pursue a career in law. I decided the best route was to first get experience in a law firm and then perhaps study part time. My goal was to become a legal secretary to start off but the skills required such as Microsoft Office packages and knowledge of legal terminology and procedures was not something I had picked up at university!!
I decided I needed a foot in the door and chose to study for the legal secretarial diploma at Pitman. The course was great because it was completely flexible and the training facilities were of the highest standard. The supervisors were always happy and friendly and I was impressed that they really took an interest in everyone personally.
Towards the end of my course, the supervisors referred me to a vacancy at Simpson and Marwick for a litigation secretary. Litigation was the most interesting module and that was the area I wanted to get into. I decided to apply. The very next morning, I had an interview lined up and two days later I had the job. It was the first job I applied to. The HR manager at Simpson told me that the diploma at Pitman had secured me the job and she believed the course to be an excellent grounding for starting work there.”
As regards the job, I have been there for a few weeks now and I can honestly say that I’m loving every minute of it. It’s definitely challenging and at times hard work but it’s interesting and I work with a great group of people in the best litigation team in Scotland.
I’d also like to say a big thank you to the training team who helped me the most. They really went that extra mile to help me and they were always so friendly and nice to be around. Please pass on my thanks to them – they are great assets to Pitman!
LC – Legal Secretarial Diploma
I thought the Executive PA Seminar was just fantastic, our trainer was excellent, she was completely inspirational and motivational, she really knows her stuff and maintained your interest at all times. I would recommend this course to any PA who is looking to increase their confidence in knowing how best to deal with their boss, the assertiveness training in particular has proved to be very useful!
Overall, it proved to be an invaluable opportunity to gain useful skills and share experiences with other PA’s. I’m already thinking of which course I can go on next!
Hayley—–PA
Marion had great knowledge. I benefited from the examples provided. Great that Marion encouraged discussion, as the hints and tips will help me in my work environment.
Natalie – Executive Assistant – Executive PA Seminar
The trainer had an excellent general knowledge which helped with explaining things in the course.
Annette – Production and Accounts – Project Management Principles
B D – Project Administrator
“I’d like to thank all your team for their help whilst I was training for the MS Office Plus Diploma. They were all open, very friendly, and knowledgeable in all the MS Office applications and the supporting PC hardware & software. I particularly liked the training format, informative, user friendly application manuals & supporting audio files. This made the whole experience rewarding & enjoyable. I would have no hesitation in recommending Pitman Training to my friends & colleagues.”
AF – Microsoft Office Plus Diploma
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