Next week the Bermuda chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) will celebrate Administrative Professionals Week and Day 2006.

?I think it is important to recognise Administrative Professionals Week because it would be very difficult for an organisation to be successful without the assistance of admin professionals,? Thelma Hart CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) said.

Administrative Professionals Week is from April 23 to April 29 and the official Administrative Professional Day is on Wednesday, April 26 and a programme of events will be held during this week to recognise the contribution of office staff.

?This is an excellent time to salute admin professionals for their valiant efforts throughout the year,? Ms Hart said

Ms Hart said in a fast globalised economy it is easy to overlook the role of people helping companies to be successful.

?The role of the admin professional has evolved quite significantly in the last ten years, so we aren?t just typists or secretaries. We are getting into the management side of things,? Valerie Masters CAP (Certified Administrative Professional) said.

The annual event was originally organised in 1952 as National Secretaries Week by the National Secretaries Association but is now known as Administrative Professionals Week and Day to reflect rapidly changing roles.

?Admin professionals are now known as project managers, event co-ordinators, budget managers, and knowledge managers and our responsibilities are expanding,? Ms Hart said.

?Admin professionals are getting on the waive of continuous learning and that leads them to have upward mobility in the workplace.

?Changes in technology is one of our biggest challenges and we have to continually to train and take work shops and seminars to keep up to date.?

Presently IAAP Bermuda are in discussions with Bermuda International Business Association and the National Training Board about having the CAP designation recognised in Bermuda as a certified profession.