Minute Taking

This course is suitable for anyone who is required to take formal, factual records of meetings and distribute action points afterwards.

It's often chosen by PAs and administrators, but can be suitable for nearly any role. Typical challenges faced by delegates include filtering information and applying minute-taking best practice in the context of their own organisation's needs.

Meetings are vital in many businesses, but often their effectiveness is lost because the information they provide isn't recorded accurately or the actions required aren't clearly communicated.

This course provides a variety of best-practice frameworks to help delegates filter the essential information from a meeting and record it in a useful, consistent way that they can adapt to the needs of their organisation.

Rather than relying on speedwriting, this course focuses on drawing out key points and making notes relevant to the needs of stakeholders in the room. It shows how to compile concise meeting notes, covering all key points without wasting words or time.

• A checklist of what should be included in minutes

• An understanding of the important dynamic between the minute taker and chairperson

• Listening techniques to enhance concentration

• Skills to present minutes clearly, accurately, and professionally

• Detailed knowledge of what makes a great set of minutes

• The ability to filter and summarise large amounts of information

• A blended learning experience allowing you to continue to develop skills in the workplace

This course is a blended learning experience, allowing you to continue to develop your skills back at work. As part of the course you will receive the following eFresher (eLearning) module:

• Minute Taking

• Understand the purpose of minutes and the different types

• Define what constitutes a good set of minutes

• The duties and responsibilities of the Chair and minute taker (and the relationship between them)

• Recognise how a well constructed agenda aids note taking and meeting management

• Improve your listening skills through practical exercises

• Note taking methods and practical exercises

• Filtering and selecting information effectively, and distilling key points

• Recognising pitfalls and re-writing a poor set of minutes

• Understanding writing styles and professional language

• Maintaining focus and concentration when minute taking

• Question and answer session with your experienced trainer

• Practical application of skills through minute-ing a meeting and receiving peer and tutor feedback

This course is mapped to the QCF unit 'Take minutes'.

This course can be taken as part of our Institute of Administrative Management Level 3 Certificate in Professional PA and Administration Skills.

The qualification aims to give aspiring and existing PAs, secretaries and administration staff the foundation for their formal development in this role. It's an excellent introduction to the PA or administration role for anyone with limited experience or without formal training.

Anyone attending this course will be able to accredit their learning towards the qualification. Talk to one of our learning advisers on 0800 170 7777 to find out how you can get qualified.

Overall content was very comprehensive; knowledge of the trainer was excellent. She was patient, very friendly and engaging, made learning very pleasurable and left me feeling more confident and equipted to write minutes in the future. “

- Miranda Charles

Sutton Housing Partnership