Secretarial Training Academy

As a 2020 secretarial trainee, it was a very difficult journey for us due to Covid-19 outbreak. I enjoyed being a secretarial trainee for only two weeks, then we went on lockdown. We never had the opportunity to enjoy and rotate around the firm, and get to know each department better, however, our former trainee facilitator Ms Erna Fevrier made sure we got the best training experience we needed. I remember we used to type the bible verses to learn how to type. It was a very challenging journey for all of us. The opportunity given to me to be a secretarial trainee meant so much, because I learnt how to associate with different kinds of people, how the corporate world works and how to be independent. Being a secretarial trainee has impacted my life so much, studying legal theory and being around professionals at A&A has encouraged me to chase an LLB career. I am currently working as an Administration Clerk in Trademarks, working for Amogelang Phala.

Participating in the Legal Secretarial Training program has been an invaluable experience for me, both professionally and personally. The opportunity to engage with industry experts and fellow professionals has significantly enhanced my knowledge and skills in Intellectual Property Law and more. The comprehensive curriculum provided a deep dive into Patents, Trade Marks, Copyright, Designs and Commercial law, equipping me with the latest tools and techniques to excel in my role as Legal Secretary (my current position at Adams & Adams). The hands-on training and practical applications were particularly beneficial allowing me to immediately implement what I learned into my day-to-day responsibilities. Beyond the technical knowledge, the Legal Secretarial Training program also fostered a supportive and collaborative environment. The connections and relationships I built with instructors and peers are now a vital part of my professional network, offering ongoing support and collaboration opportunities. Overall, the Secretarial Program has been a transformative experience that has empowered me to advance in my career with confidence and expertise. I am highly grateful for the opportunity to be part of that program and I would recommend this program to anyone look to elevate their professional capabilities.

I was a trainee in 2016 under facilitation of Ms Erna Fevrier. The secretarial training I received was very educational to me in the legal, corporate and Intellectual Property world as I did not have any formal education in such fields, particularly legal theory and accounting calculations. Not forgetting the lessons on how to type so fluently and presenting business etiquette. The opportunity really expanded my mind and continue to teach me a lot about the importance of IP in our society. I am based in the patents department, but I do have formal training regarding trademarks, conveyancing and commercial aspects. I am very grateful to the firm for this opportunity that I never imagined myself being part of, and due to the effective training the center offered me, I can say that it is the best I have ever had. The secretarial training ignited an aspiration to further my studies in the Bachelor of Arts faculty as I have always been interested in creative writing. I had registered for the same course with UNISA but due to unfortunate events regarding my family, I had to put it aside for a bit and will enroll again next year to pursue the same.

Being selected for the secretarial training learnership in 2013 was a transformative opportunity for both me and my family. As the eldest daughter, this learnership significantly alleviated the financial burden on my parents, who were struggling to fund my education. Not only did it relieve their stress, but it also enabled me to contribute financially to my household, providing much-needed support. The secretarial training learnership had a profound impact on my career. After graduating, I enrolled in Law studies at UNISA while working at Adams & Adams as a secretary, and later, as a Patent Case Filing Specialist. This position exposed me to Intellectual Property law, a field I find incredibly fascinating. The experience and exposure I gained at Adams & Adams motivated me to pursue my LLB, driving me to achieve my goal of becoming a lawyer. I have successfully completed my Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and am currently serving as a Candidate Attorney.

I started in the Training Centre on 1 March 2004. I am thankful for the opportunity given at that time as it was a stepping stone to my career. The skills that I gained from the centre has made it possible for me to have worked in various Departments [at Adams & Adams] in my growth within Adams & Adams. After the graduation, I started as a temp employee in 2005 in our Postal Department for 4 months, thereafter promoted to a permanent position in the Fax Room for 8 months to ultimately being given an opportunity in the Trade Mark Renewals Department as Junior Secretary. Today I am proud to mention that from the foundation gained from the Training Centre I am now a mid-senior Paralegal. “I am still grateful and thankful for the great opportunity that has shaped by career of today.

Being part of the secretarial training school has benefited me in more ways than one. As a fresh out of varsity candidate, it helped me build a strong and commendable work ethic. The training I received taught me valuable skills which I believe will be able to assist me wherever I go in corporate South Africa and beyond.

It was a great opportunity for me to be selected in the secretarial trainee group in 2012. I really enjoyed being in that environment because it taught me so much and since then I have been able to accomplish so much, all thanks to Magda. I sincerely encourage other prospective trainees to be focused and be dedicated once selected because this is the door opening for various opportunities.

In December 2014, a friend of mine who worked elsewhere told me about a secretarial trainee course that A&A offered. I’d been unemployed for a month, so I took a chance. I was called for an interview in January 2015 and … I started training in March 2015, in November I was given a permanent position as a legal secretary and my interest in law grew from thereon. Two years later I decided to enrol for a Paralegal qualification which I finished in record time while working full time, while doing that I got a promotion to higher level legal secretary. I graduated during Covid which was disheartening because of lockdown. Nine years later in the company I am glad to say I have been a paralegal for two years and continue growing the company.

As the proverb goes, “a journey of a hundred miles starts with one step”. It was during that fateful year, in March 2021, when I was called to join Adams & Adams' Secretarial Training Centre. I was filled with mixed emotions of fear and excitement, as I didn’t know what to expect. The opportunity came at the time when I was retrenched and confused. Little did I know that it would be a blessing in disguise. Through the training centre I gained knowledge about being a legal secretary and acquired computer literacy skills, with typing skills that are phenomenal. It had its low moments as far as my accounting skill or knowledge was concerned, but I gradually managed to overcome it with the help of the facilitator and fellow students. The training centre rekindled my love for Law, and I am planning to go back to study law again. The training centre has opened the opportunity for me and many other former students. I am now a Trade Mark Renewal secretary and aspire to go as far as possible, while resuming my LLB studies. As an ex-trainee I have become a mentor and huge motivator to the students who aspire to become Adams & Adams legal secretaries. Determination, self-motivation and team work are the ingredients needed to make it through.

I was one of Ms Grobler‘s students. I joined the Secretarial Training School in March 2011. What a journey! I first met Ms. Grobler on my interview date and I was so nervous, not knowing what to expect and this was my first formal interview. And a week later, I received a call that I was one of the successful candidates. That call changed my life for the better. I was so excited for the opportunity. I was able to learn/progress in an exciting environment that I am now passionate about. I got to know our coordinator Ms. Grobler better. I just want to say thank you for teaching and supporting me! Every class we had you were so persistent in taking us beyond satisfactory and striving for excellence in a short space of time. I enjoyed challenging you in typing speed, even though I knew you were typing faster than I did, but that’s how I quickly improved my typing speed. Ms. Grobler is one person I can still run to, should I need assistance or advice on anything. If I am given a chance to be your student again, I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands. I was lucky to be placed in Trade Marks Prosecution right after our graduation. Engaging with professionals after the training, not only increased my understanding of their roles but also helped me reflect on my own skills and interests. I was able to identify the areas in which I excelled and those requiring improvements, which also shaped my personal development. Now, 13 years later with Adams & Adams Attorneys, I am very pleased that I am now a Senior Secretary. I feel so thankful to have had to take a class with such a vibrant, caring instructor. Your passion is both clear and inspiring. It is evident you genuinely care about your students. Again, thank you so much for your guidance and everything I now know because of you. Be blessed!

I attended the secretarial training centre in 2021 and am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this training programme. This experience was a turning point in my career, as it gave me the skills and confidence to pursue a new path. Before the training, I was working in a public company, but I was unsure of my next steps. When I was accepted into the secretarial training programme, I knew it was a chance to start afresh. Leaving my previous job was a difficult decision, but it was worth it. The training programme was comprehensive and challenging. Our facilitator Ms Magda was very supportive and hands-on. The impact on my life has been significant. I am now a permanent employee at the firm. I highly recommend this training programme to anyone looking to change their life and career and advance their career. It's a calculated risk. I'm proud to say that I made the right decision in leaving my previous job to pursue this opportunity.

Driving on the N1, seeing how aesthetically the Adams building looked, I never thought I'd one day be part of the firm. However, when I join the firm through the Secretarial Training Programme in 2015, I realized how much I undervalued myself. The programme was a great experience and I got to learn a lot in the universe of law. This has since motived me immensely and the firm also presented me with a buffet of growth and I am now a Paralegal in the Trade Mark Prosecution department. When I left my previous employment (as a call centre agent) living off a salary to join the Secretarial training programme and get a stipend, this was a huge adjustment; however, I am living proof that good things indeed take time and require sacrifices.

I am happy to have had the opportunity to become part of the secretarial programme in the year 2021. I was unemployed and job hunting when I came across an advertisement online that led me to the A&A website where I applied for the programme. Trying to find employment at this day and age is difficult due to lack of opportunities but A&A has made it easier as the programme also help with providing essential skills and experience. This is a phenomenal opportunity that has impacted me personally and my family as I was able to provide for them. I am now employed in the Trade Mark litigation department and the growth that I had in the department has motivated me to study further in the legal profession as I have developed a love for it. I want to thank Adams & Adams for the opportunity, and I wish this programme to continue to run and assist more people and continue to change lives for the better.