TORONTO -- With Administrative Professionals Week (APW) around the
corner, executives may have more reasons to thank
their "right-hand" person, a new survey shows.
Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of managers polled said
responsibilities for support professionals have increased
in the last five years. Fifty-five per cent of executives also said
administrative staff have greater career options
than five years ago.
The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service
specializing in the placement of highly skilled
administrative professionals.
It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on
telephone interviews with 100 randomly selected
senior Canadian executives.
Executives were asked:
| During the past five years, how have the responsibilities for administrative assistants changed? | |
| Increased significantly | 33% |
| Increased somewhat | 39% |
| No change | 12% |
| Decreased somewhat | 10% |
| Decreased significantly | 6% |
Executives also were asked:
| Does an administrative assistant have more or less of a career-growth track than five years ago? | |
| More | 55% |
| Same | 23% |
| Less | 19% |
| Don't know | 3% |
| Decreased significantly | 6% |
"Efficiencies created by technological advancements have allowed administrative assistants to take on a wider range of tasks, including managing budgets, negotiating vendor contracts, overseeing projects and maintaining websites," said Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam.
"Administrative assistants can achieve seniority within their role or profession, or leverage their specialized skill sets to obtain supervisory positions in administration, human resources or other departments.
"Administrative Professionals Week is an ideal time for managers to discuss the career opportunities available to their assistants."
