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Office Skills

Overview Admissions Careers & Connections Tools & Supplies Courses & Costs

Overview

Assiniboine’s eight-month Office Skills certificate program prepares graduates to be versatile, responsive and professional in a variety of office settings. If you are just starting a career or if you are looking to update previous education and experience, this program is the perfect fit. 

Graduates of the Office Skills program can enter into the second year of a diploma program—choose from Legal Administration, Medical Administration or Office Management. 

Program Learning Outcomes 

  • Utilize Microsoft Office, accounting software, and other industry-standard software programs for a variety of administrative tasks.  
  • Use communication and interpersonal skills to interact professionally with colleagues and clients. 
  • Apply problem-solving techniques to resolve complex issues that may arise in office settings. 
  • Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in administrative tasks.    
  • Utilize time-management and organizational skills to manage tasks and responsibilities efficiently. 
  • Present information clearly and concisely in a variety of formats. 
  • Anticipate and action solutions to needs of the office.  
  • Maintain professionalism while working towards tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  

Examples of what office skills graduates can do: 

  • Answer telephone and electronic enquiries and relay telephone calls and messages. 
  • Schedule and confirm appointments and meetings. 
  • Provide basic customer service.  
  • Perform basic accounting tasks.  
  • Create and utilize spreadsheets and databases to solve administrative issues.  
  • Disseminate information in various formats internally and externally. 
  • Prepare, key in, edit and proofread a variety of documents.  
  • Record and prepare minutes of meetings. 
  • Set up and maintain information filing systems. 
  • Collaborate with team members to complete tasks. 
  • Work independently to solve problems.  

Success Factors 

You might be a good fit for this program if you would enjoy: 
  • Being detail-oriented and organized. 
  • Interacting with and helping people on a regular basis. 
  • Using computers and various software programs in the office environment. 
  • Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. 
  • Working independently and as part of a diverse team. 
The industry and program environment require individuals to: 
  • Be reliable, punctual, and regularly attend work. 
  • Communicate effectively with team members and clients. 
  • Continually seek and be open to feedback and critiques. 
  • Listen to direction and act on that accordingly. 
  • Maintain professionalism, attention to detail and quality of work under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment. 
  • Manage projects and time effectively, meeting deadlines and delivering work within industry standards and best practices. 
  • Work collaboratively with team members and contribute effectively to group projects. 
  • Perform static tasks, such as sitting and using a computer. 
  • Perform physical tasks, such as operating and maintaining small equipment.  
  • Use and keep up to date with changes in technology and be willing to continuously learn and adapt. 
  • Work in a collaborative team environment or independently as the situation requires. 
  • Take ownership of your work and be accountable for meeting deadlines, communicating progress, and solving problems independently as they arise. 
  • Maintain confidentiality and adhere to privacy policies and regulations. 
  • Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changes in the work environment.

 

Interested in exploring similar program options?

We've got you covered! Here are some other great program options to consider.

Legal Administration Medical Administration Office Management

 

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • A complete Manitoba Grade 12 or equivalent
  • English 40G/40S or equivalent
  • Consumer/Essential Mathematics 40S or equivalent

If you received your education outside of Manitoba, please review the equivalent admission requirements: Interprovincial or International.

English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
 

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR EDUCATION JOURNEY?

Start your online application today and join Assiniboine College!

APPLY NOW

 

DON'T MEET ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?

If you don’t meet admission requirements, visit our Centre for Adult Learning to upgrade courses or view assessment of special circumstances.

COURSE UPGRADING

 

Careers & Connections

Career Opportunities

  • Administrative assistant
  • Customer service representative

Connections

Through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), graduates/students may write examinations for the Certified Administrative Professional designation.

Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For information on agreements, see Articulation Agreements.

Tools & Supplies

You benefit from industry networking and guest speakers and attend classes in computer labs, regular classrooms and lecture theatre. This program uses online learning resources and instructional resources.

Program Checklists, Textbooks, and Supplies
Program Checklists:
Textbooks:
Supplies:

 

ASSINIBOINE BOOKSTORE

Textbooks, supplies and uniforms may be purchased at the Assiniboine Bookstore at the Victoria Avenue East Campus. Booklists are available from your school office 30 days prior to the start date of your program.

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Technology Requirements

Students in this program are required to bring their own laptop for use on-campus. The laptop must meet the technical needs outlined by the program. MAC computing devices are not compatible with program software. See Technology Requirements for detailed information.

Courses & Costs

Costs

Estimated Program Costs (Domestic students)
Credits60.0
Tuition$3,570
Course Fees$1,270
Students' Association fees (including Health Premium)$510
Estimated textbooks, tools, and supplies$1,630

All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs (International students)
Credits60.0
Tuition$15,710
Course Fees$1,270
Students' Association fees (including Health Premium)$510
Required Health Insurance$750
Estimated textbooks, tools, and supplies$1,630

All fees are estimated and are subject to change without notice. All international students must purchase health insurance. The college adds this fee to your student account and then sends your name and fee to the insurance provider on your behalf.

Courses

To graduate with an Office Skills certificate, students must successfully complete 60 academic credits. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline. Course offerings are subject to change and may vary by intake.

Graduates of the Office Skills certificate are eligible to enter directly into year two of the Legal Administration, Medical Administration or Office Management diplomas. A new application form is required.

Courses
Title Credits/CEUs Elective Distance PLAR
Accounting Software (COMP-0556)

Prerequisite: ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1
Whether working in industry or owning a business, having experience with widely used accounting software packages leads to a better understanding of an organization’s accounting system and to greater career opportunities. Using multiple accounting software packages, students perform various functions including creating and managing accounts in the general and subsidiary ledgers, and entering purchase and sales transactions for both service and merchandising businesses. Basic payroll transactions, account reconciliations, and financial reporting are also covered.

 6 credit(s) No No No
College Foundations (PEDV-0356)

This course improves students’ ability to navigate the college experience and environment, including student's rights, roles, and responsibilities. In this course, students reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and develop learning strategies to help them to become successful, resilient, and self-directed learners. The course covers topics such as success in online learning, time management strategies, learning strategies, assessment taking strategies, academic integrity, information and digital literacy, and wellness, among others. It integrates elements of student orientation.

 0 credit(s) No No No
Financial Accounting 1 (ACCT-0003)

This introductory course in the fundamental principles of accounting provides a basic understanding and application of principles relating to the accounting cycle and current assets.

 6 credit(s) No Yes Yes
Office Communications 1 (COMM-0372)

This course teaches the principles of English-language grammar and style for use in an office setting. Course topics include effective written communication, correspondence formats, critical thinking and transcription.

 6 credit(s) No No No
Office Mathematics (MATH-0104)

This course provides a working knowledge of basic arithmetic and mathematics. This course reviews the basics of arithmetic, graphing and algebra to develop skills for solving practical problems encountered in business. Course topics include manipulation of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, exponents, basic algebra, ratios, proportions, graphing and graphical solutions.

 6 credit(s) No No No
Office Procedures 1 (OFAD-0022)

This course provides an overview of general office procedures. Topics include office reception procedures, work and time management procedures, filing, meetings and meeting minutes, handling telephone calls, processing mail and appointment scheduling.

 6 credit(s) No No No
Organizational Behaviour (PSSY-0004)

This course develops students' knowledge of behaviour science theory and concepts useful in organizations. Topics include: perception, values and attitudes, foundations of group behaviour, teamwork, leadership, organizational culture and organizational change.

 6 credit(s) No No No
Presentations and Promotions (COMP-0563)

This course focuses on tools and techniques for designing and delivering effective presentations, as well as creating promotional material. Students will demonstrate proficiency using presentation and desktop publishing software. Students will use presentation software to create effective slide presentations and desktop publishing software to design and produce professional, quality documents including brochures and newsletters.

 6 credit(s) No No No
Software Applications 1 (COMP-0564)

In this course, students gain strong knowledge of two software applications-electronic spreadsheets and database management. Students acquire skills which will enable them to create, edit, format and print worksheets as well as use formulas, functions and charts to enhance usability and readability of numeric data. In addition, students will learn how to operate database application software to design and create databases, add and modify data and extract information using queries and reports.

 6 credit(s) No No No
Word Processing 1 (COMP-0129)

In this course, students learn keyboarding by touch technique, basic word processing concepts using Microsoft Word and formats of business documents such as memoranda, letters, reports and tables. This course gives students practice in proofreading and communication skills and develops efficient production skills through repetitive and concentrated practice.

 6 credit(s) No No Yes
Word Processing 2 (COMP-0046)

Prerequisite: COMP-0129 Word Processing 1
In this course, students improve keyboarding speed and accuracy, learn advanced word processing concepts, format business documents such as memoranda, letters, reports, tables, itineraries, minutes and agendas, and practice proofreading and communication skills. This course gives students the opportunity to develop superior production skills through repetitive and concentrated practice.

 6 credit(s) No No No

Fast Facts

I'm Interested in this program, tell me more.
$1 million in scholarships and bursaries.
Got questions? We've got answers. Join our info session to learn more about this program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next program information session?

Program information sessions are completely free to attend, and we invite you to bring a guest along as well. It's a good idea to register in advance so we know you're coming.

To find the complete schedule for our program information sessions and to RSVP, visit the program information session page.

I have a Mac laptop, can I use that?

No. MAC computing devices are not compatible with Business Administration or Office Administration program software. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech for detailed information.