How to become a personal assistant
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working your way into the role
- specialist courses run by private training organisations
University
You could do a business-related foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could take a college qualification to help you get a job as a junior personal assistant. Courses include:
- Level 2 Diploma in Business Support
- Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
- T Level in Management and Administration
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You could do an advanced level apprenticeship in business administration and work your way up to a personal assistant position.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You could find a temporary job to get administration experience. You could then apply for permanent roles.
If you're already working as an administrator or secretary, you could become a personal assistant through company training and promotion.
To get work, you'll usually need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths, A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
Volunteering
While you are studying towards qualifications, it's helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience to develop your administration and organisational skills. This could be through agency work, or volunteering in the office of a local charity.
You can find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.
Other Routes
You could do training courses with a private training provider or through a professional body like the Institute of Administrative Management.
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Career tips
Knowledge of the main IT office software packages, typing and shorthand will give you an advantage when applying for this role.
You may find some useful courses in The Skills Toolkit.
Further information
You can find out more about working and training in business administration from the Institute of Administrative Management.