“My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career.”
Program Description
The Administrative Assistant Diploma program is designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required for a successful career in administrative support roles. This comprehensive program covers a wide range of administrative functions, from office management and communication to specialized software applications and organizational techniques.
Students will gain hands-on experience in creating professional documents, managing schedules, handling customer inquiries, and utilizing various office technologies.
The curriculum includes practical training in Microsoft Office Suite, bookkeeping, and office procedures, preparing graduates to excel in dynamic office environments and contribute effectively to business operations. Throughout the program, learners will develop proficiency in both the technical and interpersonal skills necessary for administrative excellence.
Program Highlights
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Advanced Office Technology: Master Microsoft Office Suite to create professional documents and manage spreadsheets. - ✔
Comprehensive Financial Administration: Utilize QuickBooks and bookkeeping skills to record transactions and financial reports. - ✔
Strategic Business Communication: Apply verbal and written techniques to handle professional inquiries and correspondence. - ✔
Optimized Office Procedures: Manage daily operations through effective scheduling, document processing, and task prioritization. - ✔
Professional Career Readiness: Demonstrate workplace ethics and leadership during the capstone career preparation module.

Program Objectives
Upon completion of this administrative assistant diploma online, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Build strong technical skills through an administrative assistant program online, gaining hands-on experience with Microsoft Office Suite and other workplace software to create, edit, and manage professional documents, spreadsheets, and presentations efficiently.
- Apply best practices learned in an administrative assistant course online to manage day-to-day office operations, including scheduling, document organization, and professional correspondence to support smooth and efficient workflows.
- Develop effective verbal and written communication skills essential for success in an online administrative assistant diploma, enabling professional interaction with clients, colleagues, and supervisors while handling inquiries and resolving issues confidently.
- Gain foundational knowledge of bookkeeping and financial administration as part of an administrative assistant diploma online, including recording transactions, managing accounts, and preparing basic financial reports.
- Strengthen customer service competencies through an administrative assistant program online, focusing on active listening, problem-solving, and managing client interactions to enhance satisfaction and organizational success.
Career Opportunities
The administrative assistant diploma opens doors across an exceptionally wide range of roles, industries, and sectors — making it one of the most versatile credentials available at the diploma level. Career opportunities include:
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Administrative Assistant - ✔
Office Administrative Assistant - ✔
Executive Assistant (with experience) - ✔
Office Assistant / Clerk - ✔
Human Resources Administrator - ✔
Finance or Accounts Administrative Assistant - ✔
Executive Secretary - ✔
Clerical Assistant / Information Clerk - ✔
Filing & Data Entry Specialist - ✔
Records Management Clerk
Estimated Salary
Administrative assistants usually earn from $39,998 to $76,710 annually, according to the Canadian Job Bank. Their hourly wages range from $19.23 to $36.88 per hour.
Some provinces and territories, including Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon Territory, Alberta, and British Columbia, pay higher wages than others. Your experience as an administrative assistant and the kind of employer you work for mainly determine your salary.

Career Outlook
Administrative assistants are the operational backbone of Canadian workplaces—and they are needed in virtually every organization, in every industry, in every province across the country. From small businesses and law firms to hospitals, school boards, and government departments, the demand for skilled administrative professionals is one of the most consistent and widespread in the entire Canadian labor market.
In British Columbia, this translates into exceptional opportunity. According to WorkBC, administrative assistants (NOC 13110) in B.C. can expect an estimated 12,880 job openings between 2025 and 2035.
Edison College offers this program both in-class at our Victoria campus and fully online — meaning students across Canada, from British Columbia and Manitoba to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, can complete this diploma and step into administrative roles in their home province without relocating or leaving their current commitments behind.
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Admission Requirements
- High school graduate or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)
Meet one of the following English language proficiency requirements:
- Minimum Grade 10 English plus a minimum of three years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8–12) completed in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages of instruction.
- Overall minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5,
- Overall minimum TOEFL score of 46 (only TOEFL iBT is accepted),
- Overall minimum CAEL score of 40,
- Overall minimum CELPIP score of listening 6, reading 5, and writing 5,
- Overall minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 95.
The Accuplacer assessment may be accepted only under the following conditions:
- English is the program’s language of instruction, and the applicant is a mature domestic student facing barriers, and the applicant cannot access their educational records or cannot provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
- The applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages.
- The applicant provides a signed self-declaration and minimum overall reading of 235 and writing of 235, and WritePlacer: 4.
Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Recommendations of Edison College
"Graduating from this program as a Mental Health and Addiction Community Support Worker has been a truly impactful experience. The education I received provided me with both the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in a meaningful and compassionate way.
The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and brought real-world experience into the classroom, which made the learning feel relevant and applicable. I especially valued the focus on trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and building genuine connections with clients.
This program helped me grow not only professionally but personally. I left feeling confident, prepared, and motivated to make a difference in my community. I’m grateful for the foundation it gave me and would recommend it to anyone looking to pursue a career in mental health and addiction support
"
"I had a great experience completing my Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant program at Edison College. The course was practical, easy to follow, and really helped me feel prepared to work in the field. I would definitely recommend it to others."
"My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career."
"Edison College made it incredibly easy to apply! Chandra walked me through all the steps and was very friendly. The Therapeutic Recreation Assistant program offered a lot of information and prepared me for my practicum and a future I can look forward to and get excited about!"
"I am enjoying the new instructor he's fantastic but the lectures and slides are far to long for me he does his best but I feel this could be improved but the courses are amazing I have learned something new everyday"
"Our new instructor is phenomenal. Complete 360 of the last. I am so pleased. His personality brings smiles throughout the day and the delivery of information is insightful and informative. I find myself looking forward to going to class again. The only thing that I find a bit hard to get used to is being in class right until 1030. As both past instructors would allow us to take the last 2 hours or so to complete projects and watch the films off line. As it is a bit intrusive when watching a film or documentary while still signed in with people speaking up throughout to ask questions. Other than that. I am very happy with this transition."
"Yes. I would be happy to. So far the instructors were very clear and excellent. The lectures were easy, professional and the program is amazing."
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