Paid Legal Secretary Training Opportunity at Adams & Adams

At Adams & Adams we are proud of our Secretarial Training Academy. It embodies our belief that we are more than just a business, we are an enterprise, where excellence in work goes hand in hand with the value we place in people. The Academy was created in the year 2000 to uplift and empower previously disadvantaged people through high-quality training and workplace skills as secretaries.

Although the structure of the course has changed since its inception, the aim is always to provide the best possible training to enable these candidates to be immediately employable at the end of the training in any secretarial position. Only eight to twelve candidates are selected annually after passing a thorough computer, keyboarding, and linguistic skills test, as well as an interview process.

How do we do it?

The course runs for a period of one year from 1 March to 28 February the next year, with a mid-year and final exam. The training starts in the training room every morning with practical training from mid-morning in any of the following departments: Patents, Trade Marks, Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Conveyancing.

During the first five to six months of training, called Phase 1, typing/keyboarding skills are developed, with an introduction to the legal environment and working life in general. Phase 2 is more advanced and prepares the trainees for the work environment, concentrating on typing speed, advanced audio typing, internal systems training, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as other essential secretarial skills, such as proficient notetaking, writing letters and memos, taking initiative and responsibility, and preparing all kinds of relevant documentation.

The best student in various areas of the training, as well as the overall best student, receive an accolade for their performance and excellence throughout the year.

The secretarial training course consists of the following topics

• Computyping (including Microsoft’s Office functionality)
• Typing speed (with a goal of 60 wpm),
• Audio Typing
• Basic Accounting
• Legal Theory
• Business English – reading, comprehension, advanced spelling and writing for business purposes
• Professional image and grooming
• Telephone etiquette
• Time management
• Financial planning
• Life skills
• Practical training – administrative and secretarial