FAQ

Personal Assistant
Secretaries
Administrators and
Virtual Assistants

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What is a Personal Assistant?

A Personal Assistant (PA) is someone who supports a manager or executive by handling day-to-day tasks such as diary management, email handling, meeting preparation and travel arrangements. Often, a PA will handle personal and professional tasks. A good PA ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes and acts as a central point of contact for their Manager.

Can I become a PA without previous experience?

Yes. Many people start in general admin roles and progress to PA work through training, confidence building, and developing organisational and communication skills. myPA Business offers training to help you make that transition.

What’s the difference between a PA and a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

A PA is often based in an office or corporate setting, while a VA frequently works remotely, usually on a freelance or self-employed basis. A VA will typically have other clients and work on a project basis, although not always. Both roles require similar skills, but VAs is self employued and runs thire VA Agency as a business.

Do I need qualifications to be a secretary or VA?

Not necessarily. While formal qualifications can help, what matters more is practical ability, confidence, and up-to-date digital skills. Many employers and clients value experience, reliability, and strong communication over certificates.

How do I train to be a PA or VA?

You can start by taking short courses on topics like time management, communication, confidence, and office systems. At myPA Business, we offer online and in-person training designed specifically for admin professionals.

What kind of training does myPA Business offer?

We offer training in minute taking, PA and secretary skills, assertiveness, presentation skills, time management, reception duties, appraisal training and more. You can take courses individually or become a member for regular updates and resources.

Do you offer corporate training?

Yes. We work with organisations to deliver in-person and virtual training sessions for teams of PAs, administrators and front-of-house staff. For bespoke training packages, contact Julie via email. We specialise in:

  • Confidence and Awareness
  • Minute Taking
  • PA and Secretary Training
  • Presentation Skills
  • Introduction to Administrative Assistant
  • Time Management
  • Reception
  • New Supervisor Training

 

 

Why should I invest in PA or VA training?

Investing in professional development helps you stay competitive in a fast-changing workplace. Whether you’re a Personal Assistant, Secretary or Virtual Assistant, training sharpens your skills, builds your confidence, and makes you more valuable to employers or clients. It shows you take your role seriously and want to progress. The right training also helps you move into higher-paying positions, attract better clients, and take on more responsibility. At myPA Business, we focus on practical, relevant training that makes a real difference in your day-to-day work.

What is minute taking and why is it important?

Minute taking is the skill of accurately recording what happens in meetings — decisions made, actions agreed, and key points discussed. It’s essential because minutes form a legal and professional record of what was agreed, protect the organisation, and hold people accountable. Good minutes are clear, concise, and action-focused. Poorly written minutes can lead to confusion, missed deadlines, or even legal issues. At myPA Business, we teach you how to take minutes confidently, even in high-pressure or fast-paced meetings, using simple systems that work.

How do I know if the myPA Business membership is right for me?

If you’re a PA, Secretary, or VA who wants to feel more confident, more organised, and more connected to your work, the myPA Business membership is built for you. You’ll benefit most if you enjoy learning, like practical tools, and want to feel supported in a role that often goes unrecognised. The membership is not a big-time commitment. It’s designed to slot into your week and provide a steady stream of useful content. You can try it for a year and cancel anytime if it’s not the right fit.

What’s the difference between admin work and executive support?

Admin work covers general office tasks like filing, answering calls, and managing schedules. Executive support is a step above it means working directly with a manager or director to help them stay focused and effective. This might include diary management, project coordination, preparing reports, and acting as a gatekeeper. Many PAs and Secretaries do both, but if you want to move into executive support, you’ll need to build strong communication skills, decision-making ability, and strategic awareness, all things covered in myPA Business training.

Is it worth becoming a Virtual Assistant in the UK?

Yes, if you’re self-motivated, organised, and enjoy working independently. Becoming a VA gives you the freedom to choose your clients, work remotely, and build a business on your terms. The demand for VAs in the UK continues to grow, especially among startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs who need support but not full-time staff. However, it’s not passive income you’ll need to market yourself, manage your time, and keep your skills sharp. The myPA Business membership includes resources to help you build your confidence, structure your services, and grow your VA career.

What makes myPA Business different from other training platforms?

We focus on real-world, down-to-earth support. Our training is built from lived experience, not theory. Everything is created by someone who’s worked in admin roles and trained hundreds of professionals. We don’t use jargon or overwhelm you with irrelevant content. Instead, you’ll find practical tips, professional advice, and tools you can use right away. Plus, the community is friendly and approachable, whether you’re in your first job or 20 years in. This is personal development without the pressure.

How can I fit training into a busy workweek?

We understand your time is limited; that’s why myPA Business is designed to be flexible. Our tip sheets take just a few minutes to read, and our training sessions are short, focused, and available on replay if you miss them live. You can log in when it suits you, download the tools you need, and revisit materials anytime. Many members use their lunch break, commute, or quiet moments in the day to dip in and learn. You don’t need hours just a little time consistently.

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