The world has changed a lot in the last two years. Once, businesses bustled with a seemingly predictable order, with larger organizations housing a multi-layered hierarchy, and smaller businesses functioning with lesser staff, but each member performing an integral role in the collective success. Successful businesses had well-trained people who understood what was required to keep the machine running smoothly, and in the event of turnover, systems were in place to create a seamless transition in the onboarding of new talent.
Then, 2020 and the pandemic. Some countries had to contend with the so-called “Great Resignation”, a time in which masses of workers took the time to re-evaluate their careers and chose to leave their current profession in order to pursue training for a new occupational path. While Canada did not experience this to the degree of its counterparts, there has certainly been a surge in professionals who have been seeking out training as the opportunity to make the occupational shift they had not previously had the chance to explore.
While much can be said about the negative impact that the pandemic has had on the economy, it should also be noted that it has created an interesting opening for those who are eager to take on the challenge of embarking on a new career. While businesses are not necessarily “reinventing the wheel” they do understand that it’s time to tweak it. Business models that were once the standard have changed in order to adapt to the world in which we now live, and business owners understand that in order to remain relevant, they will need to keep in step with the changes. This will require a new vision, a new plan, and, to fill the employment gap left by the pandemic, new people.
Business Administration is an area that has changed a lot in the past two years. It became clear that a business could thrive despite a change in the physical framework of the office, as long as those involved had the capacity to understand, embrace and implement the necessary measures to keep the business going. What was necessary, above all else, was that the workers had sound knowledge of their business, had the right focus and tenacity, and that they could easily flex into alternative solutions when a standard approach became non-viable.
Employers have always wanted the right people to work for them. A business is built on the workers’ performance, so it’s essential that well-trained professionals are part of the equation. It isn’t enough to just have the “drive to succeed”. That drive needs to be coupled with relevant training so that the foundation is set and can be built up. The road to recovery in the wake of Covid-19 will require that employees can transition into their roles immediately, as it is less expensive for business owners who are struggling to rebuild and get back to normal.
According to Indeed.ca, the average salary of a Business Administrator is $49,458 per year, whereas Talent.com reports that “Business Administrators in Canada make an average of $53,381 per year or $27.38 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $47,500 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $90,379 per year”.
So, for potential candidates who want a career in Business Administration, where should they start? First, education is crucial. It must first be understood how a business is built, including the basics of marketing strategies, financial management, human resource management, and global business perspectives. But, what sort of educational path is the best to follow?
According to Forbes.com, “often the curriculum that MBAs are learning in the first year of the program is the most valuable to companies, where the second-year curriculum is less so.” What this means is that employers are interested in candidates who have a strong base in the fundamentals of business management, but “what they really want to see is the candidate in action”. In simpler terms, shorter programs that cover the essentials of business operations and management are desirable to employers who want to on-board candidates quickly and shape them using their own philosophies and practices. The idea is that this will strengthen the commitment to the established business mandate and reinforce the brand. This is a less expensive option for students, allowing them to pursue a career more quickly and removing postponement of their professional growth, making it an extremely attractive way to go.
Academy of Learning Career College offers short, comprehensive diploma programs that will provide training in the following key areas: competent application of computer skills and technology, e-commerce, business correspondence, office procedures, project management, and employment strategies.
These programs include:
- Administrative Assistant
- Business Administration
- Business Office Skills
- Sales Professional
- Customer Service and Information Clerk
- Business Specialty Courses
- Marketing Coordinator
- International Business Administration
The flexibility that AOLCC offers its students allows for a broader reach to anyone who wants training toward a new career while balancing their education with their personal lives. While the programs may be shorter than those offered by their counterparts, the content is virtually the same, and because the program is compressed with respect to scheduling, a typical multi-year program may be completed more quickly.
Graduates will then be able to compete for jobs in the following areas:
- Assistant Office Manager
- Administrative Office
- Administrative Services
- Coordinator
- Financial Assistance Administrator
- Banking and Insurance Clerk
- Management Trainee
For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, the training would also be a fantastic starting point for smaller, independently-owned businesses. Employers understand the importance of diversifying the people they hire, in terms of demographics and experience. They want trained individuals, yes, but they also want well-rounded people who demonstrate ambition, analytical skills, collaboration with others, and a client-centered perspective. Opportunities are everywhere for anyone who wants to be part of a successful business organization.
The global business map is changing. Are you ready to change with it?