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Secretaries (Except Legal and Medical)  (NOC 1241)
North Shore Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Secretaries perform a variety of administrative duties in support of managerial and professional employers. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors.

executive secretary (except legal and medical), private secretary, secretary (except legal and medical), technical secretary.

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Secretaries perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Prepare, key in, edit and proofread correspondence, invoices, presentations, brochures, publications, reports and related material from shorthand, machine dictation and handwritten copy using computers
  • Open and distribute incoming regular and electronic mail and other material and co-ordinate the flow of information internally and with other departments and organizations
  • Schedule and confirm appointments and meetings of employer
  • Order office supplies and maintain inventory
  • Answer telephone and electronic enquiries and relay telephone calls and messages
  • Set up and maintain manual and computerized information filing systems
  • Determine and establish office procedures
  • Greet visitors, ascertain nature of business and direct visitors to employer or appropriate person
  • Record and prepare minutes of meetings
  • Arrange travel schedules and make reservations
  • May compile data, statistics and other information and may conduct research
  • May organize conferences
  • May supervise and train other staff in procedures and in use of current software.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Truro, Amherst, Antigonish, New Glasgow, Oxford, Parrsboro, Pictou, Springhill, Stellarton, Trenton, Westville

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Secretaries (Except Legal and Medical) in North Shore Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Secretaries (Except Legal and Medical) in North Shore Region as well as in the rest of the Nova Scotia.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
North Shore Region Fair 2011-06-07

Currently the chances of qualified Secretaries finding employment are considered to be fair in the local area. There are many potential employers requiring secretarial support resulting in demand for this occupation. However, a strong supply of qualified candidates also exists. The number of people employed in this occupation is significantly above average, compared to all occupations in the local area. As such, there will be demand based solely on this high level of employment - more people moving to other jobs, retiring or quitting. Employers may advertise using different titles, such as, administrative assistant or receptionist, duties will usually be listed so applicants can match their skill set to those required by the employer.

Secretarial or office administration education, good to advanced computer and communication skills, plus, two years of work experience are often requested in local job ads. A one year Office Administration course is available at most Nova Scotia Community Colleges including the Stellarton, Truro and Springhill campuses. NSCC also offers an online Office Administration Certificate. Upon graduation, students may become a professional member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP - www.iaap-hq.org).

In addition to employment opportunities locally, opportunities may exist in other areas of the province or in other regions of the country. People who are able to work elsewhere may want to research opportunities for this occupation in other labour markets within Nova Scotia and across the country. The future employment outlook for Secretaries in Nova Scotia is expected to be limited over the next 5 years.

Additional information on Secretaries (opportunities in other areas, training, who hires, current job openings, statistics and other information), is available on other parts of this web site.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the Nova Scotia and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.