The Latest Training News

Office 2010 - Pitman will be at the exciting new event in September, come along and join us

Pitman Training will be attending the new Office 2010 exhibition being held at Earls Court in London on September 21st and 22nd. Why not come along to see us?

Office is an exciting and fresh new event aimed at bringing PAs, Executive Assistants and Office Managers together with potential new business partners and solution providers.

So much more than a trade exhibition, Office will incorporate hand selected exhibitors, a first class Seminar Programme, Key note theatre, office* Elite Club and networking opportunties such as our 'After Dark' Champagne reception and much much more. Office is the must attend event for 2010 that you simply cannot afford to miss!

Visit the Office website for more information

SAVE THE DATE: 21st - 22nd September 2010, Earls Court, London

NGI PA Takes Best Secretary Crown!

Anne Howes, PA to the Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, has been named The Best Secretary on Tyneside 2009 after a hard-fought competition.

Now in its second year, the awards were organised by Pitman Training Newcastle, in association with the Institute of Professional Administrators (IPA) and this year saw over 70 nominations for the sought-after title from organisations based across the NE, SR and DH postcode areas.

Hosted by TV and radio presenter Philippa Thomson, over 250 attended the event at Newcastle’s Tiger Tiger, which included a fashion show by Hobbs at Fenwick Newcastle and raised over £500 for Metro Radio’s Cash For Kids appeal.

As well as picking up the prestigious trophy, Anne won a weekend in London for two courtesy of Corporate Travel Services, in association with National Express East Coast and Exclusively Hotels. She also received one year’s membership of the IPA, a leather bound filofax and a signed copy of The Definitive Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook by Sue France, who spoke at the awards ceremony.

“Once again, we had an impossible task to pick this year’s winner,” explained David Stevens, director of Pitman Training Newcastle and chairman of the judging panel. “However, Anne stood out as someone with real passion and commitment to her job and truly deserves the title of Best Secretary.”

Anne was delighted to win the award, having been nominated by her boss, Andrew Dixon. He described Anne as “an engine of turbo charged efficiency” and “someone that thrives on pressure, vital in her role at NGI”. Anne summed up the role of the Best Secretary as being “someone who can be relied on to support their boss, so that they can get on with ‘doing the job’ without worrying.”

Second place was awarded to Kim Forster of Universities for the North East and third place went to Lindsey Rivington, PA to the General Manager of the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. A special Rising Star Award was made to Samantha Jackson of onebestway.

This year’s other finalists were:

Sarah Doick of Watson Burton LLP

Maxine Errington of Age Concern Sunderland

Lorraine Goldfingle of Genisys Technology Limited

Anne Griffiths of Mercer Street Marketing and Consulting Limited

Nina Mulligan of Talent Training UK LLP Tricia Roe of Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust

“This year’s competition was much bigger than last year, in terms of sponsors, entrants, media coverage and the awards night itself,” concluded David. “I’d really like to thank all those involved. It will be a hard act to follow, but I’m really pleased that The Best Secretary on Tyneside Awards are now firmly part of the North East’s event calendar.”

Photographs of the evening will be posted on the website – www.bestsecretaryontyneside.co.uk and a DVD of edited highlights is being produced as a souvenir for the finalists.

Pitman Training launches new online management development programme

Pitman Training has just launched 'Management Professional' - Pitman Training has just launched 'Management Professional' - an online learning programme for managers and team leaders to develop and enhance their skills.

Learners can develop their management career through part-time, online learning - without giving up their job. They can choose one small chunk of learning or one of three nationally recognised BTEC qualifications. There is also the option to progree their study to degree level, Pitman Training having partnered with two UK universities.

Management bodies also recognise these courses. Successfully gaining a BTEC qualification will lead to fast-tracked recognition by both the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

"Our new, innovative range of online management courses has real, identifiable benefits for both individuals and employers. Employers gain high quality staff development, staff gain credible and transferable skills, expertise and recognised qualifications. Add to all this our online, flexible learning approach and you have a winning combination for all concerned" commented Laurence Gillam, Product and Training Principal.