Looking for a practical executive PA course in South Africa? BOTI’s Executive Secretaries Personal Assistant Training is a 2-day skills programme that upskills receptionists, PAs and secretaries in telephone skills, business etiquette and professional protocol. Available in-house or off-site nationwide.

This executive PA course gives HR and L&D teams a practical, role-play-driven way to lift the front-line professionalism of the people who represent your business every day. Whether you are equipping a single new PA or standardising standards across a multi-site reception team, the training is customisable and priced for groups.

What the Executive PA Course Covers

The course runs over 2 days and combines telephone competence with the business etiquette and protocol expected of an executive-level personal assistant. Delegates apply skills through practical exercises and role-play, and receive a certificate on completion.

Day 1: Telephone Skills and Etiquette

• Telephone communication fundamentals and professional conduct
• Customer service focus and building loyalty
• Technology including teleconferencing and conferencing bridges
• Telephone etiquette and handling difficult callers
• Message-taking accuracy and effective questioning

Day 2: Business Etiquette and Protocol

• Business introductions, titles, and seniority
• Professional image including dress codes and grooming
• Meeting protocol and cultural interactions
• Business ethics covering punctuality and confidentiality
• Conversation skills and cultural sensitivity

Who Should Attend

This executive PA course is intended for receptionists and PAs, and is equally suited to executive secretaries, office administrators and front-of-house staff who interact with clients, executives and visitors. It is a strong fit for HR and L&D buyers who need to:

• Onboard new PAs and reception staff with a consistent professional baseline
• Refresh etiquette and telephone standards across a team or branch network
• Support an internal promotion into an executive-support role
• Strengthen client-facing professionalism for a customer-service or front-desk function

Executive PA and Secretary Training: Building a Complete Skill Set

Executive PA and secretary training works best when it treats the role as more than diary management. The modern executive PA is a communication hub: the first voice a client hears on the phone, the person who manages the protocol of a boardroom meeting, and the gatekeeper of confidential information. This is why the BOTI executive PA course pairs telephone skills with business etiquette and protocol rather than teaching them in isolation.

For teams, the combined approach delivers measurable benefits:

Capability built	Why it matters for the business
Professional telephone handling	Protects brand reputation on every inbound and outbound call
Difficult-caller management	Reduces escalations and keeps client relationships intact
Meeting protocol and seniority awareness	Avoids costly etiquette missteps with senior stakeholders and visitors
Confidentiality and business ethics	Lowers risk around sensitive executive and client information
Professional image and grooming	Strengthens the front-of-house impression clients form in seconds

Because the programme is delivered in-house or off-site, you can run executive PA and secretary training as a single closed group for your organisation, allowing facilitators to use your own scenarios, call types and stakeholder examples during role-play. This makes the skills immediately transferable to the desk on Monday morning.

For organisations standardising administrative capability across departments, this course pairs well with broader admin and secretarial development. Explore related BOTI programmes such as our reception and front office training and office administration courses, or speak to a consultant about a blended skills pathway for your support staff.

Need to upskill a whole PA or reception team? Request a quote or a 15-minute callback and we will build a proposal around your group size and location.

Accreditation

This executive PA course is a practical, facilitator-led skills programme; delegates receive a BOTI certificate of completion (this is not an accredited qualification). BOTI is an accredited training provider in general (Services SETA 12582, MICT SETA ACC/2016/07/0045, and a registered QCTO Quality Partner). If you need a credit-bearing, accredited route for support staff, ask about our QCTO Management Assistant (101876) or Office Administrator (102161) qualifications. For B-BBEE purposes, remember that the skills-development spend target is 6% of the leviable amount (separate from the Skills Development Levy, which is 1% of payroll). Investing in training for support staff can therefore contribute to both your skills-development and transformation objectives. This is general guidance, not financial or legal advice; confirm specifics with your B-BBEE consultant or auditor.

Delivery Options

• In-house / on-site: delivered at your premises for a closed group
• Off-site: available throughout South African major city centres including JHB, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria
• Customisable group pricing with cost savings for larger groups
• Practical, role-play-based learning with a certificate on completion

Funded and Discretionary Training

If your organisation pays the Skills Development Levy (1% of payroll), training like this executive PA course may form part of your Workplace Skills Plan and Annual Training Report, and accredited courses may be eligible for mandatory or discretionary grant claims through your SETA. Our team can help you align this training with your skills-development strategy. Download our free skills-development planning checklist or ask about funded-training options when you request your quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the executive PA course?
The executive PA course runs over 2 days. Day 1 focuses on telephone skills and etiquette, and Day 2 covers business etiquette and protocol, with practical role-play throughout.

Who is this executive PA and secretary training for?
It is intended for receptionists and PAs, and is well suited to executive secretaries, office administrators and front-of-house staff who deal with clients, executives and visitors.

Is the course accredited?
No. This executive PA course is a practical, facilitator-led skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of completion (this is not an accredited qualification). BOTI is, however, an accredited training provider in general (Services SETA 12582, MICT SETA, QCTO Quality Partner). If you need a credit-bearing, accredited route, ask about our QCTO Management Assistant (101876) or Office Administrator (102161) qualifications.

Ready to Upskill Your PAs and Secretaries?

Give your front-line team the telephone, etiquette and protocol skills that protect your brand on every call and in every meeting. Request a quote or book a 15-minute callback to design an in-house or off-site executive PA course around your team, or download our free skills-development planning checklist to start building your training plan.

Call BOTI on 011-882-8853 to speak to a training consultant.

DAY 1 Telephone skills and Etiquette Introduction to Telephone Communication The Importance of Answering Calls in a Professional Manner Company Image Different Communication Styles Elements of speech – Pronunciation Customer Focus A Polite and Friendly Image Needs and Benefits of Customer Service Cultivating a Service Attitude Assisting Customers with Requests Handling difficult callers Communicating on the telephone Build Customer Loyalty Communicating successfully with the caller Telephone Time Management Technology Teleconferencing Telephone aids Telephone toolkit Telephone Aids Hands-free Recording Bridges/Conferencing Other Telephone Etiquette Good Telephone Manners Transferring and holding calls correctly Do’s and Taboos Dealing with Difficult Callers Role-Play How to handle difficult callers successfully Basic Errors Constructive feedback Incoming and Outgoing Telephone Calls Effective questioning Establishing the caller’s needs Listening skills and rapport building Create a positive impression of your company Taking Messages Be Accurate and Effective Being responsible and accountable Practical Skills Application Action plan to apply learned skills DAY 2: Business Etiquette and Protocol Introduction Definition Protocol guidelines Protocol in the business sector Business Introductions Name Tags Titles and Seniority Ethics Do’s and Don’ts Punctuality Holy and National Days Business Cards Level of Communication Personal Circumstances Protocol in the Business Sector Questionnaire General Guidelines Company Protocol Behaviour Being an Ambassador Respect Confidence and Body Language Be Informed Forms of address Guidelines Professional Image Time Concept Attitude and Emotions Dress Code Relationships Guidelines for Business Dress Codes Classic Styles and Colours Hairstyle, Make-up and Accessories Dress codes for different occasions Meeting Protocol Purpose Punctuality Communication Documentation Facilities Safety Cultural Context and Interactions High Context and Low Context Cultural Commonalities Gender Roles Non-verbal Communication Visual Aids Interpreters Cultural Guidelines – Gifts Exchange of Gifts Gift Policy Guidelines Presentation of Gifts Conversation Attitude Topics for Conversation Sensitive Topics Cultural Diversity and Respect Ethnic Jokes Questions Listening skills 7 Ways to be a Good Conversationalist Do’s and Taboos Related Terms include Receptionist Short Course, Company Secretary Courses South Africa, Office Administration Courses, Company Secretary Training, Secretary Conference, Office Administration Course Fees, Personal Assistant Short Course, Office Manager Training, Administrative Officer Courses, PA Short Course, Administrative Professional Conference, Admin Clerk Training, Office Manager Courses, Office Administration Workshop.

Executive Secretaries Personal Assistant Training: Course Duration

2 day/s

Executive Secretaries and Personal Assistants: Who should attend

This Secretary Course (or Receptionist Courses, Office Administration Short Course, Admin Clerk Courses, Receptionist Training, PA Courses, Office Administration Training)  is intended for receptionists and PA’s. **Quote does not include Any Exam Fees (if applicable)   IMPORTANT ACTION: Do Not Wait To Improve Your Skills.  Book Now for Secretary Course (or Receptionist Courses, Office Administration Short Course, Admin Clerk Courses, Receptionist Training, PA Courses, Office Administration Training) By Completing Online Booking Form / Customised Proposal or Obtain Approval For Your Already Received Customised Proposal   Don’t delay. Skill up at BOTi Today.     (or Receptionist Courses, Office Administration Short Course, Admin Clerk Courses, Receptionist Training, PA Courses, Office Administration Training)