[ Update: Training ]
Smooth running office D
The ECA has launched a new programme to invest in office administration staff. We outline what it is, how it works, and get a first-hand view of its effectiveness
o you want to improve the efficiency and capability of your business? Do you want to develop your admin team to become more productive and
responsive to the company needs? And, if you are an ECA registered member, would you like full financial support to enable them to gain formal business administration skills? The ECA is launching a new Business
Administration Training Programme, aiming to help industry companies to develop their office- based administration staff and improve the overall running of the business.
Structure The programme provides modular training, with six core units and three optional advanced units. The core units cover the fundamental knowledge areas to enable individuals to deliver best practice in any administration role: n Effective Business Administration; n Self-Presentation Skills; n Introduction to Employment Law;
n Customer Service; n Health and Safety and Managing Information and Data; and n Innovation and Change.
The advanced units build on this to cover three key aspects of administration management: n Team Building and Supervising; n Basic Project Management; and n Basic Commercial and Financial Awareness.
The programme is co-designed and developed by the ECA and HR training and consultancy Jaluch, which is recognised for its innovative approach to training and successful teaching methods. Jaluch’s training team also delivers the ECA Management Development Programme.
Funding ECA members can access the programme with full financial assistance from the ECA Training Fund, on top of their annual allowance. The course fees must be paid at the time of booking, and are fully reimbursed back to the company
once the stage has been completed, on receipt of a claim form.
n For more details call 0845 872 5361 or visit
www.eca.co.uk/training
Course working Julie Quinton from Walker Electrical Services (UK) took part in the course pilot
Walker Electrical in Portsmouth was established in 1984 by Steven Walker and today provides services in domestic, commercial and industrial electrical work, home technology and renewables. It employs 16 electricians, a data technician, two apprentices, and two office-based staff who carry out estimates and run jobs. Working to
support these
21 technical personnel
and
Q: What are the challenges? A: The biggest thing for any administrator is time management, because you have so many different tasks. So it’s prioritising the
one busy owner is Julie Quinton, admin supervisor, and her assistant.
Q: How long have you worked at Walker Electrical? A: Nearly five years.
Q: What does your job involve? A: Everything! From answering phone calls and customer service, to raising enquiries for quotes on jobs, chasing subcontractors for their prices, processing all of the certificates for electrical work, chasing accounts, PA to the owner, raising purchase orders, all correspondence and overall office management.
work that’s coming in from all the different people who all want your attention and want their stuff done. A lot of it is about maintaining a cool head so the guys don’t worry – things will get done and are followed up. So your job is to make sure the team knows that things are under control.
Q: Did you find the programme useful? A: I very much think there is a value in this programme, for any administration staff – even if you have been in admin for some time, because it’s easy to just get stuck into doing the job every day and you never get the time to invest in thinking about how things are done or how your role fits in. The course is very informative, and helps administrators realise the power and ability they have to contribute to how the business runs and how they can make a real difference to the way things are done. They
will come back with suggestions for what the company should be doing and what they think needs to be looked at.
Q: How would you sum it up? A: The trainers were brilliant, the course itself wasn’t bogged down, it wasn’t condescending; it was just really informative, well structured and engaging. I would say, for any ECA member company, it is vital for them to send their junior administrators, if not their admin team. It really shows you the value of what you do, and how the office side is just as big a part of the business as the company’s services. It’s not teaching you how to do your job: how to pick up the phone or process paperwork, any of that. But it teaches about life skills and all-round business acumen. How to get the most out of the team around you – how to get results, basically.
March 2012 ECA Today 65
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