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Diploma Program

Office Assistant

Diploma

32 weeks

Qualified Instructors

This program can be offered at the campus(es) below. Please contact the campus of your choosing for program availability and delivery methods.

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Combined

Combined

Employment Rate

80%

*Jan-Dec 2023, CDI College MB;

Median Wage

$25 /hour

*Jobbank.gc.ca; 2024;

Elevate Your Career as a Qualified Office Assistant

In modern offices, highly skilled administrative staff are a necessity.

 

CDI College's Office Assistant program equips you with essential skills for any business environment -  in under a year - focusing on software applications and professional skills in a supportive, hands-on learning environment.

  • MICROSOFT EXCEL
  • KEYBOARDING
  • ACCOUNTING FUNDAMENTALS
  • BUSINESS ENGLISH AND PROOFREADING
  • QUICKBOOKS
  • CUSTOMER RELATIONS
  • SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGIES
  • WORK EXPERIENCE
  • MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
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Registered College

CDI College is registered with the Manitoba Ministry of Advanced Education and Training under the Private Vocational Institutions Act

 

Program Intro Background

Program Courses

Student Success Strategies

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The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and study techniques to help foster effective learning and a positive educational experience. This course explores two components of learning styles, Multiple Intelligence-based theory and Personality Spectrum – MBTI-based theory, and how learning styles and personality types affect learning. The course will cover the importance of values, their relationship to goals and goal setting. Strategies for setting personal goals, prioritizing tasks, managing time, and the stress that results from study or work situations will be explored and practiced through active participation in learner-centred activities. Effective study habits, techniques for preparing for tests and productive note taking strategies are key topics of this course that will provide the students with the necessary skills and attitudes to be successful in school. Having a sound understanding of financial, money, credit and debt matters and their implication on our lives is critical knowledge to have. Students taking this course will benefit from completing the Financial Management Workshops, which provides comprehensive coverage of financial and money management skills that will allow them to better save, budget, and manage their money and financial situations.

Microsoft Word

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This course introduces the students to word processing with Microsoft 365: Word. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft 365 where you will learn about the common features of the Office applications and file management fundamentals. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Word where students learn proper document formatting, organization and editing using the tools and features of the ribbon. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as working with tables, lists, objects, templates footnotes and endnotes and mail merges. Finally, the course will explore the collaboration features of Word that allow users to share and collaborate on documents through the use of track changes, sharing and reviewing and the use of OneDrive.

Microsoft Excel

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This course introduces the students to spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of spreadsheets and how to use the common features and functions of Microsoft Excel. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Excel where students learn how to enter and format data and use the various functions and formulas to manage and manipulate the data. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as performing quantitative analysis with logical, lookup and various mathematical and financial functions. Depicting data visually is an important feature of Excel. Students will learn how to work with charts in Excel to produce a variety of different charts based on data housed in a spreadsheet. Finally students will learn to handle large volumes of data with DataSets and tables.

Microsoft PowerPoint

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This course introduces the students to presentation development and design with Microsoft PowerPoint 2016. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 where you will learn about the common views, features, tools and the environment of PowerPoint. The course then focuses on the core processes of development and design of robust PowerPoint presentations and enhancing the presentations with the rich media tools offered by PowerPoint. Students will learn to use the PowerPoint templates, outlines and themes to design the presentation and then populate the slides with the various content items such as images, shapes, WordArt, SmartArt transitions and other enhancements.

Microsoft Outlook

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This course explores information management using Microsoft Outlook 365. It will present the Microsoft Outlook application interface, tools and features. You will learn about the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling and calendars, contact lists, creating forwarding and managing messages. This course relies heavily on hands-on practical activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

Keyboarding

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This course gives the student an introduction to the fundamentals of keyboarding. This course will help the students reinforce their English language skills and develop their ability to key and compose information, develop the proper keyboarding techniques and skills, The gradual pace of this course will help the students develop both speed and accuracy while applying the proper keyboarding techniques and position. Students will also develop their proofreading techniques, and improve their word processing techniques in a windows environment. Students must achieve a speed of 50 words per minute.

Accounting Fundamentals 1

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This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of accounting as a device for reporting business activity. It provides the student with an understanding of the underlying theory and principles of accounting. The construction of financial statements as they evolve from business transactions and records is emphasized using the rules of double-entry bookkeeping. In addition, adjusting journal entries and everyday transactions for both service and retail businesses are recorded coupled with the preparation of basic financial statements. 

  • Introduction to Accounting 
  • Financial Statements and Accounting Transactions 
  • Analyzing and Recording Transactions 
  • Adjusting Accounts for Financial Statements 
  • Completing the Accounting Cycle and Classifying Accounts. 

Effective Business Writing

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The workplace of the twenty-first century demands excellent communication skills. The focus of this course is on learning writing techniques that ensure effective business communication.

  • Achieve an Effective Style by using Precise Verbs, Concrete Nouns, and Vivid Adjectives
  • Write Memorandums and E-mail Messages that Deliver Information and Make Requests
  • Write Letters and Memorandums that Request Information Concisely and Promote Goodwill
  • Apply Skillful Writing Techniques in Refusing Requests
  • Compose Carefully Planned Sales Letters
  • Write Letters of Appreciation, Congratulation, Sympathy, Recommendation, and Introduction
  • Write Effective Formal and Informal Reports
  • Write a Formal Report including Data, using Tables, Charts,and Graphs

Business English and Proofreading

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In this course, students will develop essential English skills through review and application of basic grammar and punctuation principles necessary for successful workplace communication. Students will also learn to proofread business communication as a three-step process that includes reviewing copy once for format; once for content and mechanical errors; and once for references and numerical text. Throughout the process, students will learn and apply standard proofreading symbols.

Office Skills

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The daily routines of a modern business office are examined, and the skills necessary to assist in the smooth operation of the office are presented in this course. A variety of presentation methods may be used including lecture, discussion, role plays, case studies and work simulations.

Computerized Accounting - QuickBooks

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In this module, students continue to build their knowledge and skills in computerized accounting systems, learning QuickBooks, an easy-to-use and powerful system. Students will learn to set up a new QuickBooks company and manage customer accounts. Students also review and consolidate their understanding of Excel and Word by exporting QuickBooks data into these programs. QuickBooks payroll features are also covered.

Customer Relations and Interpersonal Skills

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In business, as in other interpersonal contact, the impression formed in the first 10 to 15 seconds is crucial to the success of the relationship. The importance of the customer and of customer relations to business success is examined through case studies and role-playing. Students will learn relevant theories of human behaviour and how they may be applied to improve customer relations.

Social Media Marketing Strategies

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After completing this course, students will be well-versed in how to use the right social media platform(s) and how to best utilize the features offered by each platform to enable them to help corporations to reach their target audience and achieve their goals. Seven channels are examined in-depth: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Yelp, and Pinterest. For each of the channels, the course will explore the following aspects: 

  • The channel’s history
  • The user’s experience
  • The business’ experience
  • Advertising
  • Running a targeted campaign
  • Analytics

Career & Employment Strategies

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In addition to learning career-oriented skills, students learn how to get a job in their chosen profession. Our Employment Services department will assist the graduate in resume writing, as well as preparing for job interviews. Our staff is sensitive to current job market trends and the needs of employers in each local market.
Our graduates receive guidance and training to use career tools that help job seekers build a better resume and cover letter, manage an online portfolio, hone interviewing skills, and develop a personal brand online.
Students will have the use of a computer lab which has unlimited Internet access, as well as job search resources. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques and to carry out mock interviews.

This course also looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview:

  • How people find jobs
  • Employer expectations
  • Presenting an enthusiastic attitude
  • Focusing on the right job and the hidden job market
  • Transferrable skills
  • Thank you letters
  • Effective telemarketing
  • Handling objections, self-confidence, and self-esteem
  • Individual counselling and coaching

Office Assistant Work Experience

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This module is for course credits but has no grade. Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee for five weeks in order to gain the valuable “real world” experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed,continuation in that placement is mandatory.

Stay up-to-date with the industry’s latest leading software and tools

Admission

Benefits of this program

Employment Opportunities

  • Grade 12 or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years of age and one year out of high school)
  • Passing score on the entrance examination
  • Learn industry-related skills and technologies 
  • Study at a campus close to home
  • Master your skills during a real-world practicum
  • Work anywhere in almost any industry
  • Add to your professional skills and credentials
  • Master Microsoft applications and tools
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Secretary
  • Office Manager
  • Executive Assistant
  • Administrative Officer
  • Office Administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Coordinator, Office Services
  • Grade 12 or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years of age and one year out of high school)
  • Passing score on the entrance examination
  • Learn industry-related skills and technologies 
  • Study at a campus close to home
  • Master your skills during a real-world practicum
  • Work anywhere in almost any industry
  • Add to your professional skills and credentials
  • Master Microsoft applications and tools
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Secretary
  • Office Manager
  • Executive Assistant
  • Administrative Officer
  • Office Administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Coordinator, Office Services
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Experience the CDI College Difference

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Industry Certifications

Gain a distinct advantage by earning industry-recognized certifications that validate your expertise and skills in key areas such as digital marketing, project management, and CRM. Our program prepares you to succeed, whether you're advancing, switching careers, or starting your own business. Invest in yourself and join a community of certified professionals shaping the digital economy.

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Industry Leading Employers

Our extensive network and reputation for excellence ensure that graduates are in high demand in today's competitive job market. Prepare to excel in sought-after roles with renowned companies and unlock limitless career opportunities. Elevate your career trajectory and secure your future with our program tailored to meet the demands of industry leaders.

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Hear From Our Graduates

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My time at CDI was awesome. I'm so grateful for the chance to have this opportunity, and I am grateful for everybody I've met along the way. They've given me that chance to really take that next step.

Deseree D.

Business Program Graduate

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The hands-on training was very beneficial. It was incredible to have a teacher sit down and explain things thoroughly and share her own real-world experiences.

Jordan L.

Business Program Graduate

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