The Vital Role of Ongoing Professional Training for Administrative Professionals

In the rapidly evolving business landscape, continuous professional training is more important than ever, especially for administrative professionals. According to the World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs Report 2023," significant shifts in the job market emphasize the need for continuous skill development.

Adapting to Technological Advancements

The report highlights that nearly 44% of workers' core skills will change by 2027 due to rapid technological advancements (Zahidi, 2023). For you as an administrative professional, staying up to date with new technologies like AI is crucial, “For those workers set to remain in their roles in the next five years, nearly 50% will need reskilling for their core skills.” (Schwab & Zahidi, 2020).

The demand for skills in areas like analytical and creative thinking, technology literacy, and lifelong learning is expected to grow significantly, with analytical thinking projected to increase by 72% and creative thinking by 73% over the next five years (Masterson, 2023).

Why Ongoing Training Matters & Bridging the Skills Gap

Administrative professionals can greatly benefit from continuous training. Your roles are expanding beyond traditional tasks to include responsibilities that demand advanced digital literacy, analytical skills, and effective communication. As businesses rely more on technology, the ability to manage digital tools, analyze data, and implement efficient processes is essential.

However, despite the growing need for upskilling, the report reveals a lapse in training opportunities, "six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of workers are seen to have access to adequate training opportunities today”(Zahidi, 2023).

Investing in professional development not only equips you with the necessary skills but also enhances your value in the workplace and prepares you for future roles.

Benefits of Continuous Professional Development

1. Increased Job Security: With rapid technological changes, ongoing training ensures you remain relevant and valuable to your organization.
2. Enhanced Productivity: Advanced skills lead to more efficient workflow management and improved problem-solving capabilities.
3. Career Advancement: Continuous learning opens up new career opportunities and pathways for promotion within your organization.

Key Areas for Professional Training

• Digital Literacy: Proficiency in software tools and platforms is essential as more administrative tasks become automated.
• Data Analysis: Understanding data and making data-driven decisions are becoming critical skills across all job functions.
• Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, and adaptability are increasingly important in collaborative and dynamic work environments (Whiting, 2023) (Masterson, 2023).

APC's Data-Driven Training

APC uses real data to craft our training sessions, ensuring you gain skills relevant to your role so you can keep up with the demands of the evolving workplace.

Dive into sessions like:

• Precision AI Prompting: Streamlining Executive Operations with AI
• Foundational Prompting: AI Basics for Administrative Professionals
• How to Interpret Data Like an Executive
• Excel Copilot: Data Analysis Simplified
• Communication for Impact: Strategies and Best Practices
• Become a Change Champion: How to Lead Yourself and Others Through Change

Conclusion

It is more essential than ever for administrative professionals to engage in ongoing professional training. The job market is constantly changing due to technological advancements and evolving skill requirements. By investing in upskilling and reskilling, administrative professionals can adapt to changes, improve their career prospects, and contribute more effectively to their organizations.

Learn more about how APC can help you keep up with the evolving workplace. Attend APC

References:

Masterson, V. (2023, May 1). Future of jobs: These are the most in-demand skills in 2023 - and beyond. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/05/future-of-jobs-2023-skills/

Schwab, K., & Zahidi, S. (2020a, October). The Future of Jobs Report 2020. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020/?

Whiting, K. (2023, June 28). Amnc23: How to close the skills gap to enable future growth. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/06/amnc23-how-to-close-the-skills-gap/

Zahidi, S. (2023b, May). The Future of Jobs Report 2023. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/