The job market is getting more and more competitive and employers are increasingly demanding evidence of skills and core qualifications. This section clears away some of the complexity and jargon in current qualifications for which we provide training.
The qualifications covered include:
We also explain what the different qualification levels mean.
Click on the links on the left to learn more.
The OCR Text Processing set of units is a popular qualification for secretarial roles, covering touch-typing, audio typing, word processing and other secretarial skills courses. OCR stands for Oxford, Cambridge and RSA. We are an OCR Text Processing test centre and we have courses that prepare you for the various OCR Text Processing unit exams.
Employers will often still ask for an RSA Level 3 qualification. If you are applying for a job that asks for this, check if they mean:
The OCR Text Processing qualifications changed on 1 October 2008. There are now 9 different OCR Text Processing qualifications, comprising an Award, a Certificate and a Diploma, each at Levels 1, 2 and 3. The difference relates to the units taken, with each unit allocated a number of credits. For example, an OCR Text Processing Level 2 Certificate will be awarded for acheiving 16 or more credits. However, the choice of units is now more restrictive, as some combinations of units do not count towards the Award, Certificate or Diploma.
If you have already been studying OCR Text Processing, depending on the units taken, OCR may transfer the credits across into the new format.
We offer courses that cover the syllabus for all of the main OCR Text Processing units and we are an OCR Text Processing test centre. Call Jill on 0191 241 1122 for more information.
AMSPAR stands for the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists. It provides qualifications for the majority of non-clinician roles within the health sector.
The most widely recognised qualifications for medical secretaries are the AMSPAR Certificates in Medical Terminology for Non-clinical Professionals. These are available at Level 2 and Level 3. The AMSPAR exams require a high level of knowledge of the correct spelling and meaning of a wide range of medical terms and abbreviations.
Currently the exams at each Level are held twice each year on fixed dates.
We are an AMSPAR test centre and our Medical Secretary - An Introduction course provides a tried and tested way to prepare for the AMSPAR exams.
Medical Secretary - An Introduction
You will often come across courses described as (say) "a Level 2 Certificate in..."
The Level of a course indicates the level of difficulty involved.
Levels go up to Level 8.
Our courses are typically Level 2 or Level 3, focusing on practical, work-based skills. Our training methods allow even absolute beginners to go straight to Level 2, without needing to study for Level 1 first. ECDL is Level 1 and Level 2, but again we offer a single ECDL set of modules designed to get everyone to Level 2.
Our new Management Professional range is Level 5.
Introduced a number of years ago, ECDL is a British Computer Society qualification. ECDL has become the most widely recognised entry level IT qualification and is usually the minimum standard expected for secretarial and administrative jobs. Importantly, its been around a long time and most employers know about it and recognise it on your CV.
Aimed at beginners with PCs and the internet, ECDL is now at version 5, comprising:
ECDL Level 1
Module 1 - IT Security for Users
Module 2 - Using the Computer and Managing Files/IT User Fundamentals
Module 7 - Web Browsing and Communication/Using the Internet and E-mail
ECDL Level 2
Module 3 - Word Processing
Module 4 - Spreadsheets
Module 5 - Databases
Module 6 - Presentations
There is an optional unit (Improving Productivity Using IT) that makes ECDL a fully accredited Level 2 qualification. Studying ECDL can also lead to an ITQ qualification that is part of the new Flexi-qual framework.
Each ECDL Module ends with an on-line, multiple choice exam that can be sat at any time. We are an approved BCS ECDL Test Centre.
We offer ECDL as a home study ECDL DVD-ROM, with remote tutor support and attendance at the centre to sit the exams. The DVD-ROM includes all of the ECDL modules in both Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 format.
If you have already started version 4 or version 4.5, you have until 31 August 2010 to complete all of the modules.
You can start an ECDL course with us at any time. Call Jill on 0191 241 1122 for more information and to enrol.
***STOP PRESS***
We can now offer ECDL Advanced.
Call Eleanor on 0191 241 1122 for more details.
Touch-typing is all about speed and accuracy and having an up-to-date certificate to prove it.
Many employers still refer to RSA 2 or 3 as the typing requirement, even though "RSA" designated qualifications no longer exist (they are now the "R" in "OCR"). What employers mean is accurate touch-typing at over 50 words per minute. You will also most likely be tested by recruitment agencies and employers when applying for jobs.
You can gain a certificate to demonstrate this in a number of ways:
The BCS e-type qualification is becoming the new standard for touch-typing qualifications. Three levels of qualification can be gained:
We are an e-type test centre. The exams can be sat on demand and require you to type for 5 minutes, with no more than 1 mistake per minute.
Call us now to book a free speed and technique assessment so that we can recommend the right course for you.
Pitman Training courses are not only flexible in terms of when you study. At Pitman Training, there are no set exam dates - you sit your end of course test only when you feel that you are ready. We give you as much revision time and help as you need and make sure that you are fully prepared.
This flexibility is reflected in our students' results. Since opening in Newcastle in August 2007, our students have taken over 500 exams, achieving a 98% pass rate, with 70% achieving Distinction Grade. Well done to everyone!
1219161916_100th exam success.jpg
The Pitman Training Newcastle Student Awards 2009 were held at Tiger Tiger on 30 September, as part of The Best Secretary on Tyneside Awards event.
Once again, it was an opportunity to recognise the hard work and success of our students, who will no doubt be stars of future Best Secretary on Tyneside Awards!
Students receiving Awards on the night were:
Lynn Corr - Bronze Award (3 courses)
Anthea Jackson - Bronze Award (3 courses - working towards an Office Skills Diploma)
Elaine Grieves - Gold Award (7 courses - working towards an Executive PA Diploma)
Tracey Welsh - Platinum Award (9 courses - working towards an Executive PA Diploma)
Chantel Hains - Medical Secretarial Diploma
Claire Mordue - Executive PA Diploma
Joanne Clark - Medical Secretarial Diploma and Executive PA Diploma
Well done to everyone!
Want to be part of the Student Awards 2010? Click on Contact Us to find out how to enrol with Pitman Training.
It was a night of celebration at the Best Secretary on Tyneside Awards on 6th August 2008. On top of the Best Secretary Award, Pitman Training Newcastle celebrated its first birthday at the awards event and also recognised the success of some of its students with the presentation of the first annual Pitman Training Student Awards.
“It’s been a fantastic year,” explained Jill Stevens, Director of Pitman Training Newcastle, “and what better way to celebrate than by recognising the achievements of our students. We were especially delighted that Claire Lister, Managing Director of Pitman Training Group was able to come up to Newcastle to present the certificates.”
The top award this year went to Rebecca Lucas, who completed her Executive PA Diploma of 15 courses, with a fantastic 11 at Distinction grade. “Rebecca studied for her Diploma alongside her final year at Newcastle University, where she also achieved a 2:1 Honours Degree in Politics,” continued Jill. “Rebecca has now landed a job with a charity in London.”
Other students studying towards the Executive PA Diploma were presented with Awards – Sharon Docherty received a Gold Award for completing eight courses so far and Eleanor Cook was presented with a Silver Award for completing five courses. Claire Veit d’Marcier, working towards her Legal Secretarial Diploma also received a Silver Award. All are well on their way to achieving overall Distinctions.
“We launched the Best Secretary on Tyneside Award to recognise the best that the North East has to offer,” explained Jill. “Not surprisingly, what we found is that the starting point for all of the finalists was the core skills of fast, accurate touch-typing, mastery of Microsoft Office and excellent communication skills. All of these skills are covered in the Pitman Training secretarial and PA Diplomas.”
Combining the Best Secretary on Tyneside Awards with the Pitman Training Newcastle Student Awards meant that Pitman Training’s students could see at first hand what it takes to be the best. “It was a great motivator for everyone,” concluded Jill. “I’ve no doubt that those receiving Pitman Training Newcastle Student Awards will become the stars of the future.”
Joanne Clark of North Shields has been named as Pitman Training Student of the Year for 2010 at an exciting awards dinner at Altitude in Westminster, hosted by writer, broadcaster and comedian, Jenny Éclair.
Joanne beat off competition from finalists from the North West, South West and Eire to win the coveted Student of the Year trophy and first prize of £1,000.
Joanne was supported at the awards event by Jill and Dave Stevens of Pitman Training Newcastle, who nominated her for the national award.
“There are now over 100 Pitman Training centres around the UK and Eire and last year we trained over 50,000 people, so to be crowned as the overall Student of the Year is a fantastic achievement for Joanne”, said Jill Stevens, Course Director at Pitman Training Newcastle.
Joanne started training with Pitman Training Newcastle, enrolling on a couple of courses. Passing these with Distinctions, Joanne then extended her skills by moving on to the Medical Secretarial Diploma, passing all courses with Distinctions, as well as passing the City & Guilds AMSPAR Level 2 Award in Medical Terminology.
But even this didn't stop Joanne. She then extended her skills further again upgrading to the Executive PA Diploma, again adding nothing but Distinctions and also added the AMSPAR Level 3 Certificate to her list of qualifications. And she's still with Pitman Training, now studying Teeline!
All of this was aimed at Joanne achieving her ambition of a secretarial job in the NHS, which she achieved last year. Joanne is now a Personal Secretary/Team Administrator at North Tyneside PCT.
There was more success for the Newcastle centre at the Awards event, with Jill and Dave collecting the Creative Marketing Award 2010 for organising the annual Best Secretary on Tyneside Awards, now about to enter its third year.
“As one of only two Pitman Training centres in the North East, both of which only opened in 2007, we are proud to fly the flag for the Region,” added Dave Stevens, co-owner of the Newcastle centre. “For the Newcastle centre to win these two national awards clearly demonstrates the quality of our business and recognises the success of our students.”
For more information on Pitman Training courses, contact Eleanor Cook at Pitman Training Newcastle on 0191 241 1122.
It's the Award that celebrates the key people who we feel really run Tyneside organisations - the secretaries and personal assistants! Focusing on the very best, both in terms of experience and skills, The Best Secretary on Tyneside Award honours secretaries and PAs who go that extra mile to really make a difference.
This year's competition was even stronger than 2008. We had over 70 nominations, from private, public and charity organisations, large and small.
Winner of The Best Secetary on Tyneside Award 2009 was Anne Howes of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative. Runners up were Kim Forster of Universities of the North East and Linsey Rivington of Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. A new Rising Star award was given to Samantha Jackson of onebestway.
The 2009 finalists were (in alphabetical order):
Sarah Doick of Watson Burton LLP
Maxine Errington of Age Concern Sunderland
Kim Forster of Universities for the North East
Lorraine Goldfingle of Genisys Technology Limited
Anne Griffiths of Mercer Street Marketing and Consulting Limited
Anne Howes of NewcastleGateshead Initiative
Samantha Jackson of onebestway
Nina Mulligan of Talent Training UK LLP
Lindsey Rivington of Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
Tricia Roe of Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust
The winners were announced at The Best Secretary on Tyneside Award on 30 September at Tiger Tiger. We also raised £500 for Cash for Kids, so thanks to everyone involved for making it a great event.
Some photographs from the 2009 Awards night.
There's loads more on the Best Secretary on Tyneside website.
Pitman Training focuses on vocational training - training that helps you get the job you want. In Newcastle, we work closely with recruitment agencies and major employers to monitor the local job market and the needs of employers.
Experienced, well qualified candidates are always in short supply, but specific areas where there are always vacancies are:
• Medical Secretaries
• Legal Secretaries
• Book-keepers
Click on the links to view the skills required by employers for each career.
Newcastle is home to a number of major law firms, between them employing hundreds of highly qualified legal secretaries. The minimum entry requirements for a legal secretary with one of the top law firms are:
• accurate touch-typing - minimum speed of 50 wpm
• proficient at digital audio typing and proof-reading
• proficient in Microsoft Word
• good communication skills, both written and verbal
In addition, an understanding of the basics of the English legal system is a distinct advantage.
Our Legal Secretarial Diploma is designed to meet all of these requirements. For more information on this diploma, click on the link on the right.
The North East has a large Health Service sector, both NHS and private sector, employing hundreds of highly qualified medical secretaries. The minimum entry requirements for a medical secretary are:
• accurate touch-typing - minimum speed of 50 wpm
• proficient at digital audio typing and proof-reading
• proficient in Microsoft Word
• good communication skills, both written and verbal
Whilst these core secretarial skills are important, the key qualification employers are looking for is an understanding of medical terminology. The most recognised qualification sought by employers as evidence of this is the AMSPAR Award in Medical Terminology. Our Medical Secretary - An Introduction course gives you the understanding needed to pass the AMSPAR test and Pitman Training Newcastle is an approved AMSPAR test centre.
To find out the next AMSPAR exam dates and register on the course, call Jill today on 0191 241 1122.
Medical Secretary - An Introduction
There is a real shortage of qualified finance staff in the North East at all levels. Understanding book-keeping opens up a number of career options:
• training as an accountant - typically moving on to AAT
• working in a finance department
• working as a freelance book-keeper
The starting point for a career in book-keeping is an understanding of the double-entry system and manual book-keeping. Once you have got the basic principles, you can then progress to Sage Line 50, the most widely used computerised accounts software package in the UK. A good understanding of Excel is also useful. All of these are covered in our new Essential Book-keeping Award.
Finance courses are a particular specialism in Pitman Training Newcastle, with both of the Centre Managers having qualified as accountants. Dave Stevens has been a Sage user from the first version of the product.
Pitman Training Newcastle is near to Grey’s Monument in the centre of Newcastle.
With your back to The Monument looking down Grey Street, Hood Street is the first street on the left, leading to Pilgrim Street. H&M is on the corner, with Lloyds TSB on the opposite corner.
16-18 is on the right hand side at the Pilgrim Street end.
Look for the sign board with Pitman Training to the left of the double glass doors.
By Metro
Take the Metro to The Monument stop. This is the crossroads of the Metro network and all trains stop here. Follow the signs to the Theatre Royal exit. At the top of the steps, Hood Street is the first street on your left.
By train
It is a 5 minute walk from Newcastle Central Station to Grey's Monument. Leave the Station through the main exit, cross at the pedestrian crossing and turn right. Turn left at Starbucks and you are in Grainger Street. This leads directly to Grey's Monument.
By bus
It is a 5 minute walk from the main Bus Station to Pitman Training. The easiest way is to go through Marks and Spencer and out into Northumberland Street (pedestrianised). Turn right and walk to end the end of Northumberland Street. Cross over by Northern Goldsmiths and you are in Pilgrim Street. Turn right when you see the window for Northern Rock opposite you and you are in Hood Street. 16-18 is to the right of the Northern Rock window. Other nearby bus stops are near Eldon Gardens, just by Grey's Monument and in New Bridge Street, just around the corner from the top of Pilgrim Street.
By car
There are a number of well-signposted car parks in the centre of Newcastle.
The cheapest is The Manors, just off the 55 Degrees North roundabout, heading towards The Quayside.
The postcode for the car park is NE1 2BD – simply type the postcode into Google maps or multimap for directions.
From the car park, it is a short walk up Pilgrim Street to Hood Street (Northern Rock is on the corner).
There are a few short-stay parking spaces in Hood Street itself. Parking is limited to 1 hour between 8am and 6.30pm. However, if you are training on one of our late nights, it is free to park after 6.30pm.