ASSESSEMENT OF SECRETARIAL SKILLS TOWARD UPSKILLING AND STANDARDIZATION
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the skill sets of Secretaries in Laguna Province, with the goal of creating an Upskilling and Standardization Program tailored to their specific needs. Secretaries play a crucial role in local governance, handling administrative duties that are essential for community development and the delivery of public services. By enhancing their skills, the program addresses the growing demands of governance and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Local Government Units (LGU), especially as they face changing demographic and economic challenges. A quantitative-descriptive research method, distributing a structured questionnaire online through Google Forms was done. The questionnaire, designed with a Likert scale, collected insights from respondents about the competencies and effectiveness of 150 Secretaries. The results showed that while Secretaries have solid foundational administrative skills, there are significant gaps in areas such as technical writing, digital literacy, record-keeping, time management, and confidentiality handling. While they demonstrate moderate proficiency in business correspondence and basic digital tools, many respondents lack advanced skills in database management, archiving, and automation. Additionally, there were challenges in managing heavy workloads and handling sensitive information, highlighting a need for structured training in task prioritization, data privacy, and ethical communication. Ultimately, the research emphasizes the importance of structured, long-term upskilling to enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of Secretaries, ensuring their skills remain aligned with modern administrative standards and meet evolving demands. The study suggests implementing an upskilling and standardization programs in areas like business communication, digital proficiency, organizational management, and information security. It also advocates for mentorship, ongoing education, and certification programs to support continuous career development.