SKILLS ACQUISITION IN OFFICE TECHNOLOGY: A TOOL FOR SECRETARIAL EFFICIENCY IN AN AUTOMATED OFFICE

Abstract

This study examined skills acquisition in office technology as a tool for enhancing secretarial efficiency in automated office environments. The research examined the degree to which office technology skills develop secretarial productivity, the skills necessary for effective secretarial work, and the connection between productivity and the development of skills among secretarial staff. This research adopted the descriptive survey research design. The sample for this study was secretarial staff and office technology and management specialists at Federal College of Education, Abeokuta. Data were collected through the use of a research questionnaire. The research questions were answered with the mean and standard deviation, and the research hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and the independent samples t-test. The study revealed that the development of office technology skills correlated positively with secretarial productivity through enhanced office operations that are faster and more efficient, and that secretarial staff that are more competent with technology are more productive. This study also revealed that the level of technology competence of staff impacts their productivity and that staff that are more technologically competent tend to be more productive than their less technologically competent counterparts. The study concluded that the development of office technology skills is critical to the enhancement of secretarial productivity in automated office settings. The study suggested that secretarial staff undergo regular technology skills training, and that modern office technology and tools be made available, and that secretarial staff be supported with ongoing professional development.