Conventional secretarial courses typically use competency-based approaches. The author argues that these approaches are not appropriate for providing higher-level secretarial students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for new employment roles. The purpose of secretarial education is discussed, as well as the need for management…

An assessment task in which clerical occupations students prepare a report on setting up an office aligns with Australia's competency-based curriculum and national assessments of competence. In this holistic approach, learners research and discuss the problem and draw on personal experience as well as classroom learning. (SK)