Office and administration
Office Assistant
The shortest route into office work, at 23 weeks covering office procedures, Microsoft Office and business administration fundamentals.
Diploma
- Length
- 23 weeks
- Hours
- 500 hrs
- Credential
- Diploma
- Next start
- Oct 27, 2026
Overview
About this program
Most organisations depend on office staff to keep things running, from small businesses to large firms, and office assistant training is the shortest route into that work.
The diploma covers keyboarding and computers, the Microsoft Office suite including Word Expert and Excel, business writing, office procedures and professional communication. It finishes with a four-week practicum in a real office.
Courses 12
Open any course to see what it covers.
1Skills for Success20 hrs
This course is designed to equip students with knowledge and skills for academic, personal and professional success. During this highly interactive and practical course, students will be introduced to tools and strategies to set goals, adopt a growth mindset and stay motivated will pursuing their studies. This course will empower students to become active participants and owners of their learning.
2Career Strategies20 hrs
This course is designed to help students prepare and be successful in their job search once they have completed the program, as well as assist with practicum placement. How to prepare for and conduct an effective job search will be discussed, as well as, tapping into the hidden job market and using social media in the job search successfully will be explored.
3Introduction to Computers20 hrs
Students will develop their understanding of computers in general and the Windows 11 operating system in particular. Students will explore methods of managing files and personalizing their own desktop environment.
4Microsoft Outlook20 hrs
Students will explore Microsoft Outlook, a common business e-mail and organization platform. Students will develop calendars, task lists, e-mail productivity tools, and contact lists.
5Microsoft Word60 hrs
In this course, students will explore and practice Word processing functionalities, document design, and customization of documents with graphics and charts. This course consists of a combination of lecture, hands-on practice, exercises, and discussions to reinforce principles and word processing techniques.
6Office Procedures60 hrs
This course provides students with foundational knowledge about the workforce and professional environment. Students will be introduced to ethical business behavior, financial documents, leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. As well the course will cover managing physical and electronic records, organizing meetings, handling telecommunications, and seeking employment.
7Business Writing40 hrs
This course is designed to enhance students’ professional business writing skills. Students will learn to organize ideas in an audience-centered approach and develop business documents clearly and concisely. In class assignments will allow students to plan, write and review emails, memos, business letters and reports. This course also covers basic grammatical concepts and principles and techniques of proofreading.
8Microsoft Excel Core40 hrs
In this course, students will explore spreadsheets, creating formulas, spreadsheet design, and customization of spreadsheets with graphics and charts. This course consists of a combination of lectures, hands-on practice, and exercises to reinforce principles and spreadsheet creation.
9Microsoft Excel Expert40 hrs
In this course, students will explore spreadsheets, creating formulas, spreadsheet design, and customization of spreadsheets with graphics and charts. This course consists of a combination of lectures, hands-on practice, and exercises to reinforce principles and spreadsheet creation.
10Microsoft Word Expert40 hrs
In this course, students will move beyond the document-creation tools encountered in Microsoft Word Core and develop abilities to personalize document design, create customized templates, record macros to automate tasks, and manage their documents. This course consists of a combination of lecture, hands-on practice, and exercises to reinforce principles and word processing techniques.
11Professional Communication Skills20 hrs
This course will provide students with a thorough understanding of business communications. Students will be provided with opportunities to engage in active learning and business scenarios to become effective communicators. This course will also cover business etiquette including telephone etiquette and business meeting practices.
12Practicum Placement120 hrs
Practice knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom during a four-week practicum in a corporate and/or business setting. Through this exposure, you will gain greater awareness of the specific responsibilities and daily experience of professionals in the field.
Admission requirements
Standard
An Alberta high school diploma or equivalent, verified by transcript.
Mature student
Out of school for one year and at least 18 years of age before admission, with either 33 credits toward an Alberta high school diploma or equivalent verified by transcript, or a pass on an approved aptitude test (the Wonderlic or the CanTest).
English language
An alternative to the mature route: a foreign-trained degree together with a Canadian Language Benchmark of 6 or higher.
All applicants
A successful interview with a college representative.
Cost & funding
Tuition and fees
- Tuition$8,050
- Books, supplies & fees
- Total
Funding
Student aid. Aid is available for qualified candidates. You apply to Alberta Student Aid yourself, and it decides who qualifies, not the college.
- Band funding. First Nations and Métis students may be sponsored through their band or settlement. Start early, because approval times vary.
- Employer sponsorship. Some employers fund training for their staff. The college can invoice an employer directly.
- Payment plans. Arranged with the college.
Where and how
How you study
Combined (onsite and online)
Start dates
Where this leads
Administrative Assistant
NOC 13110
Administrative assistants handle scheduling, correspondence, meeting coordination, filing systems and special-project support. They work extensively with office technology and may supervise other staff.
- Average, Alberta
- $27.25/hr
- Typical range
- $19.67 to $37.53/hr
- Starting out
- $17.00 to $29.39/hr
- Employed in Alberta
- 30,435
What employers look forMinimum one year post-secondary. Most employers require a related post-secondary credential plus computer skills.
Roles this program prepares you to apply for
- Executive Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Support
- Warehouse Administrative Assistant
- School Secretary
- Office Assistant
- HR Assistant
- Financial Services Administrative Assistant
- Program Administrative Support
- Front Office Assistant
Source for the roles: Program Information Form filed with Alberta Advanced Education, as of 2026-09-28. This is the work the program prepares graduates for, not an offer of employment.
Wages describe the occupation across Alberta, not Robin College graduates. The college publishes no placement or graduate earnings data. Source: 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey and the 2024–2026 occupational outlook, published on alis.