Administrative professionals are the premium oil to ensure business operations run smoothly according to the Bermuda chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

The Bermuda chapter formed in 1994, is a member of the Greater New England Division and the non-profit professional association has 40,000 members and affiliates and 600 chapters worldwide.

"Business operations acts an engine and in order for that engine to run smoothly the oil of administrative professionals is needed," president of the IAAP Bermuda chapter Patty-Ann Flood said.

Management should encourage their administrative professionals to become a members of the IAAP as they will become polished, efficient and effective office professionals Ms Flood said.

The IAAP can provide information on obtaining certifications as Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) or Certified Administrative Professional (CAP).

"These designation's will keep you on the cutting edge of this profession because job descriptions are constantly changing," April Pitcher CAP and IAAP Chairperson Certification said.

There are a certain required areas of study for these designations and can be obtained in a variety of ways.

She said the areas include finance and business law, office administration, office systems and technology, management and accounting.

On Thursday the local IAAP chapter will be holding an education forum entitled Office Of The Future at the Wesley Methodist Church from 5.30 p.m. to 6.45 p.m.

At this forum there will be panelists from the Government human resources department, a marketing manager from Business Services of Bermuda and an human resource officer from the Bank of Bermuda.

"These panelists will give their insights on where office professionals need to go to be successful in the future workplace," Thelma Hart Certified Professional Secretary and Founding President of the Bermuda IAAP said.

"Our theme this year for the IAAP is creating excellence and the forum is one way of bringing attention to office professionals."

Ms Hart said with the global economy, the changing workplace and the increasing responsibilities that office professionals are charged with, it is important to focus on the skills necessary to be an office professional in the future.

"Office professionals need to be more analytical, it helps build rapport and facilitate team building," she added. "As we are in the information age they need to be innovative and keep abreast of developments in technology."

For more information on the local chapter of the IAAP log on to www.iaapbda.free.bm.