Administrative Support Field Growing
With Advanced
Technical Skills Commanding Highest Salaries
The administrative support field will grow overall by about 12.5 percent
through 2014 with most new positions developing in the medical support
area and in those demanding increased responsibility, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demand is strongest for well-trained
workers with specialized skills and technical savvy.
In response to these
trends, Madison Area Technical College (MATC) has developed two new business
technology certificates in Basic Medical Reception Skills and Project
Management to provide office personnel the additional training needed
to compete for the higher-paying jobs in this field. In addition, MATC
is moving more of its courses online and offering accelerated and evening
classes to accommodate those already working in the field who want to
learn new skills to advance in their careers.
Salaries, too, have been on a steady rise to attract those with
top-level skills in the field. Annual salaries for executive assistants
and those with advanced technical duties range from $32,000 to $40,000,
up 8.8 percent over last year, and medical receptionists’ salaries have risen by 4.3 percent
to a range of $28,750 to $35,500.
In a recent article for OfficePro, the magazine of the
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Diane
Domeyer, executive director for OfficeTeam, reports those with advanced
skills and training have a clear advantage.
“As hiring in many industries continues to pick up, companies are boosting
starting salary levels to attract the best candidates,” she says. “Administrative
professionals with advanced skills — particularly technology proficiency — and
relevant work experience will be able to command the highest compensation.”
Two MATC degree programs, the Administrative Assistant Associate Degree
Program and the one-year Business Software Applications Specialist Program
are available completely online as are several classes in computer software.
As the demand for bilingual (Spanish/English) speakers also increases,
the college has added bilingual courses and certificates in computer
software and other office-related skills. In addition, the college has
added accelerated and self-paced course options designed to better fit
the schedules of students already working in the field.
Many of these
students say that advanced degrees and training are key. “We
know from our online Administrative Assistant students that they are
interested in climbing the corporate ladder and that earning an associate
degree will help them attain that goal,” says Gerri Wicklund, an
instructor in the MATC Administrative Assistant Program.
For more information
on MATC business technology programs, certificates and courses, see the
MATC Business Technology Website at http://matcmadison.edu/businesstech/ or
call (608) 246-6369.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s
16 colleges. It provides “real world smart” education through
a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult
basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as
customized employee training. MATC offers associate degrees, vocational
diplomas and certificates, and non-degree courses in more than 140 programs
of study. The college serves all or parts of 12 counties located in south-central
Wisconsin and offers instruction through five campuses and numerous community
locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
October 2, 2006
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