KIM SLOANE, CAP - ACSA

I was looking for a course of study that would set me aside from the rest.  It needed to be meaningful to me personally since I would be the one burning hours to get it.  I was after excellence for myself and recognition by others as an office professional.

Obviously, it also had to be something that would help me grow within the company for which I work.  (ACSA)  Since passing CAP (first time) I have been promoted to Property Administrator, which comes with a lot more responsibility than what I previously had.  I feel I have increased my worth to the company.

Furthermore having my CAP has also given me the edge that I need if I were to apply for another suitable position either within ACSA or externally.

My recommendation:  “Just go for it!”  

TANYA ANN DE PONTE, CAP - TIGERBRANDS

I chose to study for CPS as I was on The Professional Secretaries Association North Rand Committee when CPS was first introduced to South Africa, and I wanted to be able to promote the course to PSA members, and thought that it would be better if I took the course myself so that I could know what I was talking about and learn at the same time which would help me in my career.  I also believe that you should be a life-long learner to keep your grey matter functioning.   In the Bible it says that above all you should get wisdom, which I figure includes learning.  I think that I’m knowledgeable and wise in my own eyes in my own small world, but then I get insight into true wisdom and I’m humbled again.  Speaking to children and teenagers brings me back down to earth, because it seems as though teenagers and University graduates know everything, and young children are like sponges at learning, and then I realize that even if we added all of our combined wisdom, compared to God’s, it is zero.  Knowledge is light so the more you have the better.  I passed the 3 CPS modules and received CPS certification in 2002.  The CPS and CAP programme proved to be a worthwhile investment to me as a person and it has helped me at work, and I think that it is a superior programme for South African’s to take.

I decided to recertify this year 2007 because I needed to keep my certification, which is renewed every 5 years by receipt of CPS points.   I think that it is quite funny that Doctors and Pharmacists need to get CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points, and I needed to get CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) points.   I could be awarded CPS points by public speaking engagements on business related topics, serving on committees and through attending business training which I did.  However, I could also get enough CPS points by passing the ICAP certification which is the final route I took.  All the glory goes to God for helping me to pass the exam which I found quite difficult.  I had been put off writing the CAP exam earlier as I had other studies on the go, and had heard that it is quite difficult, so I’m really happy and excited that I’ve achieved my goal of passing, and that I’m finally going to be CAPped.

MICHELLE MPOFU,CAP - NHLS

When many people place their faith in you, it is very easy to climb even the mountains that we never envisioned would form part of our horizon. I took the CAP exam because I felt it was a qualification I needed in order to validate my abilities as an office professional, because it was the thrill of taking the exam with a very tight deadline and last but not least, I took the exam because my family believed that I could do it… and I did!!!

CARINE SMALBERGER,CPS - STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Being a personal assistant has numerous challenges, but I needed a challenge of a different kind. The biggest challenge I could find, was to challenge myself and I will never look back. I am ready to take on the next challenge… CAP

RENE NOBLE,CAP - TEBA

I was a fairly new employee in the company and my manager seemed to be generally happy with the quality work that I offered. I had wanted to study something in order to improve my skills and abilities, but was unsure of which course to attempt. My manager had had the opportunity of perusing the course material for the CAP course and thought that this qualification would not only be very beneficial to my job and career but also to my personal growth and development. He was very impressed with the range and depth of the subjects covered and knew that it would add value. Since I hadn't studied in about 10 years, I was a bit unsure as to whether or not I would be able to handle it.
 
When I received the course material, I was immediately overwhelmed and intimidated, but after considering the fact failure was not an option, I decided to put my mind to it. With perseverance and dedication, I applied myself to my studies and haven't regretted it since. This course has empowered me in many different ways and has given me confidence in my abilities and self-worth. I would like to thank the ladies at ICAP, specifically Ann, Dawn and Kelly for all their assistance and motivation. Also, my 2 managers who believed that I could make it even when I was unsure. I would not have made without them.