Every year, Office Dynamics International surveys administrative professionals across the globe to identify their evolving challenges, priorities, and aspirations. Our 2025 Annual Administrative Training Needs Survey offers a fresh, data-driven look into the pulse of the profession—and what we learned this year is both eye-opening and empowering.
Here’s what you need to know about where administrative professionals are today—and where they’re headed next.
A Workforce Eager to Grow, but Not Always Supported
While 83% of respondents said they consider themselves “above average” or “master-level” in their current roles, nearly 1 in 3 assistants either pay for their own training or don’t know who funds it. Additionally, over 10% reported that their company either does not support or makes it difficult to access professional development opportunities.
This disconnect highlights a critical challenge: administrative professionals are motivated to grow, but not all organizations are providing the resources they need to thrive.
Where the Assistant Skill Gaps Are (and What Needs Urgent Attention)
When we asked assistants which skills they felt least confident in, three clear areas rose to the top:
Public Speaking and Speaking Up in Meetings (35.3%)
Assertiveness (27.9%)
Conflict Resolution (27.4%)
These “soft skills” (or Power Skills) are often overlooked in traditional training for administrative professionals, yet they are essential for assistants who want to build influence and become true strategic partners with the executives they support.
Interestingly, these same categories were also top priorities for future training, along with:
Technology – Software Use
Project Management
Strategic Thinking
Leadership Development
Live, Hands-On Learning Still Reigns Supreme
Despite the explosion of on-demand digital content, 70% of respondents prefer live learning experiences, whether in-person or virtual.
Assistants thrive in interactive, hands-on environments like conferences—and they want training that’s practical, job-specific, and led by engaging, knowledgeable instructors.
The Tech Skills Assistants Really Want
When asked which Microsoft tools assistants needed the most help with, the results were clear:
Excel and Power BI tied as the top two most in-demand training areas.
SharePoint was a surprising second choice for advanced training.
Only 2% of respondents rated themselves as “master-level” in Excel, despite 96% using the platform—indicating a strong demand for deeper, expert-level tech skill development.
Administrative Professionals Are Ready for AI
The survey also revealed a promising shift toward the future. Nearly 40% of respondents want training on how to write effective AI prompts, with others seeking guidance on vetting results and understanding how to integrate AI tools into their workflow.
This finding aligns with what we’re seeing at Office Dynamics: assistants are not afraid of AI. They’re excited to harness it.
Top Career Growth Topics for 2025
When asked which areas of development would most benefit their careers, the top answers included:
Project Management (27.4%)
Presentation Skills (22.2%)
Leadership (21.9%)
Strategic and Critical Thinking (21.6% and 19.9%, respectively)
These results suggest that assistants are thinking big. They’re not just looking to survive in their roles—they’re aiming to lead, influence, and innovate.
A Message to Executives and HR Leaders
If you’re reading this as an executive or HR professional: your administrative team is ready to step up—but they need your investment. Training is not a luxury; it’s a strategic imperative. The assistants supporting your top talent are asking for tools that directly impact communication, productivity, leadership, and innovation.
You have the opportunity to cultivate internal talent, elevate workplace culture, strengthen operational excellence, and build a strategic partnership with your assistant—simply by listening to what they are telling you.
Get More Insight on training for administrative professionals
This blog is just the beginning. The full report includes deeper dives into technology usage, preferred learning formats, and even how assistants rate their proficiency across Microsoft applications like OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
About Office Dynamics International
Founded in 1990 by administrative training pioneer Joan Burge, Office Dynamics International is the global leader in training and development for administrative professionals.
We empower assistants to grow from task-takers to strategic business partners through online courses (both live and on-demand), in-person conferences, and customized on-site corporate training designed to elevate individual and team performance.
Our Star Achievement Series® / CEAP certification course builds leadership, communication, confidence, and strategic thinking, and other skills the 2025 survey indicates assistants need right now. The next virtual cohort begins on April 29—a perfect opportunity for assistants and their companies to invest in long-term professional growth.
