by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): International Association of Administrative Professionals Day was celebrated on April 26 under the theme The Power of Influence…Staying Motivated in the Workplace.
The National Association of Administrative Professionals (NAAP) in St. Kitts hosted an Administrative Professionals Developmental Workshop where Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, celebrated the country’s administrative professionals.
In a video on the SKN Education Media Unit’s social media pages on April 28, the Education Minister said that administrative professionals are the driving engines of government departments, private companies, schools, etc.
“I, too, want to wish each and every one of you a very happy Administrative Professional Day. It was early this morning (April 26) I had the privilege of declaring a workshop officially open, and one of the things that stuck out at me in the presentation is the fact that you guys are, in fact, the driving engine of our offices or departments and the ministry by extension, and I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the work that you have done, and you continue to do to make sure that we shine.”
During the workshop, Dr. Hanley called administrative professionals “unsung heroes of organisations”.
In an SKN Education Media Unit release, Dr. Hanley said, “Those of us who sit in leadership roles would have to agree that administrative professionals contribute largely to the success and overall effectiveness of our organisations. The role of the administrative professional has certainly evolved, especially in the past three years; therefore, it is imperative that you pursue continuous professional development to remain relevant in this evolving workforce.”
According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), administrative professionals should not just be given flowers and chocolates, but “the administrative profession deserves a seat at the table of business as a partner, not minute-takers. Admins should not expect to be recognised during this week and day. Instead, they should use this time to speak up and ask for what they need to succeed—like commensurate pay and professional development opportunities. Why? Because the success of admins makes the businesses they support more efficient—if time is money, admins are worth their weight in gold.”
