1.    NEW RATINGS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2011

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has updated the rating of Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) to Certified Administrative Professionals (CAP) and the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) programme to CAP-OM.  The base for the certification is CAP and IAAP offers a specialty exam in organisational management.  This makes up the rating of CAP-OM.  In the future, IAAP will be offering other specialty exams which can be added to the CAP rating.  As of November 2011, if you write the CAP exams, there is only one exam to write!  There are two exams for CAP-OM.

The programme content and exams is changed every few years in order to keep up to date with the current trends in the industry.  ICAP believes that that a top-level office professional should have basic knowledge of office systems, technology, office administration, and management from which to draw as required on the job.  In order to be professional, one needs to understand the broader aspect of the business and to keep up to date with the skills and knowledge required to be a first class assistant.

Be one of the first to get certified on the new programme!

2.    ONLINE TRAINING (study anywhere, anytime)

The CAP® and CAP-OM® programmes are offered as a 17 week online course with revision.  The only time the student is expected to leave the office is to write the examination which takes place on a Saturday.  Students receive the following:

·           Weekly notes
These notes have been revised and are up-to-date with current trends and include additional readings to assist the student in grasping all the new information. They are designed to take approximately 3-4 hours a week to read in your own time and at your own pace. 
·           Practice tests
The practice tests are set up in the same format as the examinations; these are not only to prepare you for the examinations but to ensure that you have an understanding of the course content for the week.  Your progress will be monitored by the course facilitator and feedback will be provided.
·           Crossword puzzles for revision
Most people enjoy doing crossword puzzles and they can be done anywhere and anytime you have a moment.  An easy and fun way to revise the information.
·            Online discussion forum and chat rooms (virtual classroom)
Where you can meet and greet not only the programme facilitator and administrator but other students from all over South Africa.
·           An Online Facilitator
An online facilitator to answer all queries and any problems you may experience during the course of the programme.  The facilitator can be contacted via email, an online discussion board or Skype (free phone calls!)

3.    INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION

After the successful completion of the CAP and CAP-OM examination, graduates receive a certificate of competence for 5 years and can write the letters CAP or CAP-OM behind their name.  Professional certification proves to the ability of those in a given profession. To ensure maintenance of these high standards, recertification is required every five years.  Recertification points can be earned by doing continuous education. The CAP® and CAP-OM® rating makes a powerful statement of both having met initial high standards and maintaining those standards.

4.    ONE YEAR FREE MEMBERSHIP TO IAAP

On registering to do the CAP® or CAP-OM® programme you automatically receive 1 year free Professional Membership to the International Association for Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and become a member of the IAAP Johannesburg Chapter at Large.  If you do not live in Johannesburg or cannot attend the chapter meetings in person, you can join online and take part in the meeting.  All you require is a PC and a headset with a microphone.

The IAAP Johannesburg Chapter at Large offer networking sessions on up to date topics e.g. Consumer Protection Act and areas where we all need improvement.  There are also social events such as Murder Mystery Dinners, Secretaries Day luncheons and the first Spring Ball to be held in October 2011.  These events are held to raise money for the chapter for education and the uplifting of the community.

Secretaries, Assistants and Administrators of all levels in an organisation are invited to join us at the networking meetings irrespective of if they are a CPS, CAP or CAP-OM graduate.  Membership is open to anybody.  Contact Kelly on 011 943 2622 or kelly@capinstitute.co.za for more information. 

5.    PUT YOUR EXPERIENCE TO PAPER!

If you have been in the industry for a number of years, you have gained an enormous amount of knowledge as skills without even realising it.  Prove your competence by writing the CAP or CAP-OM exam!

For more information about ICAP events, course and the IAAP Johannesburg Chapter at Large please contact me on 011 943 2622 or kelly@capinstitute.co.za alternatively visit the interactive website on www.online-at-icap.com