To become a personal assistant there are no set rules and no specific qualifications that you need to become a PA. However, having GCSEs in English and Maths are desirable, in addition employers may accept employees who have a business qualification. If you can speak one or move languages this is also very helpful. What is as more important that the applicant is able to work under pressure. Have great organisational skills and have a wonderful personality.
A lot of students leave school and study a business related subject or a Diploma such as, Business, Administration or Finance. This enables them to enter the career of personal assistant quickly and on a higher salary, than someone who enters the field leaving school and getting a lower salary.
To apply for the Higher National Diploma which is (HND) you need a minimum of five GCSEs or two A levels. However the entry requirements may be different at each college. It is better that you contact the relevant course provider to check what are the criteria to do the HND course.
Some may start as a junior or assistant Pa position and take additional courses such as NVQ. You are able to do NVQ level 1 and 2 in Business and Administration. There is a City and Guilds course, which offer a Secretarial, and Administration course at Oxford. You can also achieve Level 2 and 3 in Diploma in Administration. Most colleges offer full and part time courses to suit every student’s needs.
Depending on which company, some offer their employees Apprenticeship programs in Administration, Business and Law. This normally takes 1 or 2 years to complete. This provides structured training and pays the employer every week.