BOTI’s secretarial courses train receptionists, secretaries, personal assistants and administrators to handle calls, set up meetings, communicate professionally and support their managers. You can attend in person or live online. The core course runs over two days, and you can compare it with related options in our administration and office support courses.
The current course runs at your offices anywhere in South Africa, live online or at a BOTI venue. The course page has the up-to-date outline and group prices.
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Secretarial Courses: The Professional Receptionist / PA
This secretarial course helps delegates in administrative roles do their work well and stand out. Delegates practise effective communication and learn how to set up and run business meetings. They also see why professional conduct matters inside their organisation.
The training is practical. Delegates work through phone calls, meeting arrangements and everyday office situations like the ones they handle at work, so they can apply what they learn on their first day back.
Outline: Secretarial Courses: The Professional Receptionist / PA
Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online.
Key outcomes of the course include:
- Assisting a customer over the phone
- How to handle incoming and outgoing calls
- How to set up and conduct business meetings
- Communicating professionally with managers, colleagues and visitors
- Introduction to business ethics
- How to dress appropriately for the office
What a secretary or PA gains from the training
A secretary or personal assistant is often the first contact a caller or visitor has with the organisation. How the phone is answered, how a message is taken and how a query is passed on all shape that first impression. The course covers how to greet callers, find out what they need, transfer or hold calls politely and record messages clearly, so nothing is lost between the caller and the person they need.
Meetings take up a large part of a secretary’s week. Delegates learn to plan a meeting from the start: confirming attendees, booking the venue or online link, preparing and sending the agenda, and following up afterwards. This reduces double bookings and last-minute changes, and it gives managers more time for their own work.
The business ethics and professional conduct sessions cover confidentiality, discretion with sensitive information, and how to behave and present yourself in a professional office. These are the habits that build trust between a PA and the manager they support.
Online secretarial courses: how live online training works
If your team is spread across offices, or you are booking for yourself, you can attend the secretary course online. The online class is live and led by a facilitator, not a recorded video. Delegates follow the same content as the classroom group, ask questions in real time and practise call and meeting scenarios with the facilitator and other delegates.
To join online, you need a computer or laptop, a reliable internet connection, and a headset or microphone so you can take part in the role plays. Teams that prefer to train together can book the course in-house at their own premises instead.
Choosing the right secretarial course
Secretarial training covers several roles, so pick the course that matches the work your delegates do most:
- For front-desk staff, Professional Receptionist Training focuses on reception duties and visitor handling.
- For staff who spend most of the day on the phone, Slick and Confident Telephone Management Techniques builds call-handling confidence.
- For secretaries who take minutes or support committees, Chairing a Meeting with Confidence & Keeping Good Minutes covers agendas, minutes and follow-up.
- For staff supporting boards and governance work, the Corporate Governance Training Course explains the governance side of the role.
If you need a formal qualification rather than a short course, BOTI offers two QCTO occupational certificates. The Occupational Certificate: Office Administrator (SAQA ID 102161) and the Occupational Certificate: Management Assistant (SAQA ID 101876) are both at NQF Level 5[1][2]. Each ends in an External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), and the QCTO issues the certificate. The last date for enrolment on both is 30 December 2026[1][2]. To see which one suits your role, read our guide on management assistant vs office administrator.
Course duration and fees: Secretarial Courses: The Professional Receptionist / PA
The course runs over two days. It is designed so that delegates apply what they learn in practical exercises and take those skills back into the office.
Please consult the schedule for course costs, or request a quote for an in-house or online group.
Recommended Prior Experience and Knowledge: Secretarial Courses: The Professional Receptionist / PA
The course (Secretarial Courses: The Professional Receptionist / PA) is designed for the following attendees:
- Delegates in administrative posts, such as receptionists, secretaries, personal assistants and administrators
For the Secretarial Courses: The Professional Receptionist / PA, the following prior experience or knowledge is advisable:
- None
Please see the related public courses below:
Frequently asked questions
What do secretarial courses cover?
BOTI’s secretarial course covers handling incoming and outgoing calls, assisting customers over the phone, setting up and running business meetings, professional communication, an introduction to business ethics and dressing appropriately for the office. The aim is practical skills that a secretary, receptionist or PA uses every day.
Can I do a secretary course online?
Yes. BOTI runs the course live online with a facilitator, as well as at your premises or at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg. Online delegates follow the same content and practise the same call and meeting scenarios in real time.
How long is the secretarial training and who should attend?
The course runs over two days. It is designed for delegates in administrative posts, such as receptionists, secretaries, personal assistants and administrators, and no prior experience or knowledge is required.
Is the secretarial course accredited?
No. The two-day course is a non-accredited skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. If you need a qualification, BOTI offers the QCTO Occupational Certificates: Office Administrator (SAQA ID 102161) and Management Assistant (SAQA ID 101876). Both end in an External Integrated Summative Assessment, and the QCTO issues the certificate. The last date for enrolment on both is 30 December 2026.
Does BOTI offer company secretary short courses?
No. BOTI does not run training for the statutory company secretary role. The closest BOTI options are the Corporate Governance Training Course and Chairing a Meeting with Confidence and Keeping Good Minutes.
To book secretarial training for one person or a whole team, see Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant and Administrator Training. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected]. This course is not accredited. It is delivered as a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
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Sources
- Occupational Certificate: Office Administrator (SAQA ID 102161) – South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), 2026.
- Occupational Certificate: Management Assistant (SAQA ID 101876) – South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), 2026.
