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Administration Make IT - Qualifications

Occupation Description

Manufacturing, like all business operations, requires the support of administration. The type and level of administrative support required by a manufacturing business will depend upon the individual needs of the organisation and its enterprise.

Administrative occupations within the Manufacturing Industry may include (but not be limited to)…

administrative assistants

office administrators

project support officers

project and program administrators

Administrative Assistants

Administrative assistants may perform a range of basic administrative tasks within an organisation. They may be required to carry out numerous tasks in a small office, or to concentrate on just one or two specific tasks in a larger office. Experienced administrative assistants may undertake more complex tasks and responsibilities such as those of a junior personal assistant (PA)

Administrative assistants may…

sort and distribute incoming mail to areas and staff within the organisation, and despatch outgoing mail

write business letters, reports or office memoranda using word-processing equipment

answer telephone enquiries from customers, attend to visitors and assist other staff in the organisation with their enquiries

operate a range of office machines such as photocopiers, computers and faxes

file papers and documents so that they can be easily found when needed

undertake other duties such as banking, credit control or payroll functions

Personal Requirements

You should

be able to work methodically, accurately and neatly

possess basic computer skills

possess good oral and written communication skills

be able to ‘multi-task'

be able to work as part of a team

Environment

Administrative assistants usually work indoors in an office environment, and may work alone or in a team with other administrative assistants, professional and technical staff and tradespeople.

Office Administrators (office supervisor, executive assistant)

Office administrators undertake a range of functions to ensure the administration activities within an organisation run smoothly. They may be responsible for the management of human resources, budgets, accommodation and property facilities and records. These functions can be performed at various levels ranging from junior through to upper management.

An office administrator may…

organise and control the activities of an office including administrative systems and office personnel

maintain diaries

organise travel

interview job applicants

conduct orientation programs for new employees

administer salaries and work out leave entitlements

be involved in staff training and development, the preparation of job descriptions, staff assessments and promotions

prepare annual estimates of expenditure, maintain budgetary and inventory controls and make recommendations to management

maintain management information systems (manual or computerised)

locate suitable facilities and negotiate reasonable leasing agreements

provide and maintain facilities including plant and equipment

review and answer correspondence

provide secretarial or executive services for committees

Personal Requirements

You should

be able to supervise staff

possess good oral and written communication skills

have management aptitude

have an aptitude for working with computers

be well organised

Environment

Office administrators usually work indoors in an office environment, and may work alone or in a team, leading other administrative staff, and working with them and other professional and technical staff and tradespeople.

Project Support Officers

Project support officers assist project managers, specialists and other workers with the planning and ongoing administration of programs and projects.

Project support officers may…

assist with the coordination of activities of a range of areas within an organisation, in order to meet organisational objectives

respond to inquiries and help resolve problems arising in projects

assist in preparation of project reports

gather and analyse information about the projects undertaken

advise management on matters requiring attention, and implement management decisions

assist in the administration of the work undertaken by contractors

assist in the review and development of administrative systems and procedures

gather financial information on projects

communicate between managers and different project workers

assist in monitoring the timeline for the project

Environment

Project support officers are often based in offices located within or close to the project or program they are managing. They may be required to travel to visit different project sites.

Personal Requirements

You should

possess time management skills

be able to work as part of a team

possess good interpersonal and professional communication skills

possess financial awareness and ability to manage finances

have good analytical skills

be able to work under pressure

Project and Program Administrators

Project and program administrators plan and administer programs, special projects and support services, including management or staff. They are responsible for making sure that projects such as major building and construction or information technology infrastructure, or programs are designed and completed on time and within budget.

Project and program administrators may…

direct and coordinate the activities of a range of units within an organization, in order to meet organizational objectives

respond to inquiries and resolve problems concerning services within their area of responsibility

prepare reports about the organisation's activities and program or project achievements

oversee the gathering and analysis of information about the projects undertaken

advise senior management on matters requiring attention, and implement management decisions

administer the work undertaken by contractors

develop and review administrative systems and procedures

determine the risks associated with a project, such as financial risks, and implement strategies to reduce these risks

ascertain project or program costs, develop a budget plan and monitor ongoing costs

determine the scope and size of the project and the requirements for each stage or aspect of the project

decide on the timeline and schedule for the project and make sure that all targets are met

monitor the quality performance of a program or project

Environment

Project and program administrators are often based in offices located within or close to the project or program they are managing. They may be required to travel to visit different project sites.

Personal Requirements

You should

possess time management skills

possess leadership ability

possess good interpersonal and professional communication skills

possess financial awareness

be able to manage finances

possess sound judgement and analytical skills

be able to work under pressure to strict deadlines

Training

You will in some cases be able to work in administration without any qualifications or training however it may be beneficial to complete a Certificate II in Business (or similar). With experience and sometimes further study, advancement to higher positions, such as office administrator, Personal Assistant (PA) or other more senior administration positions is possible.

You may be able to work as an office administrator, office manager or executive assistant without any qualifications or training however some employers may expect a Certificate III or IV in Business Administration (or similar). With experience and sometimes further study, such as Certificate IV in Business Administration or Diploma of Business Administration , advancement to higher administrative and senior management positions is possible.

Of course, with experience, and possibly further training, you can continue to progress further along a career pathway that could see you in a number of senior management positions including that of general manager and CEO (Chief Executive Officer).

Certificate II in Business
Certificate III in Business Administration
Certificate IV in Business Administration
Diploma of Business Administration

Earnings, Job and Employment Prospects

For detailed information about earnings, job and employment prospects for this occupation, go to the Australian JobSearch Careers page and click on Job Outlook .

Printed Resources

The INFOSHEET PDFs provide information about the Manufacturing Industry and its various sectors and occupations. To view and print these documents click RESOURCES (you will need to have Adobe Reader ® installed).

Where Can I Go From This Job?

To find out more about potential Manufacturing career possibilities click PATHWAYS.



	Administration

	CEO / General Manager

	Accounting and Finance

	Human Resources

	Industrial Relations

	Occupational Health and Safety

	Import / Export

	Sales

	Logistics / Transport

	Engineering Management

	Process Management

	Manager of Operations

	Product Testing

	Quality Assurance

	Research and Development

	Information Technology

	Training