Skilled office administrator and managers are the backbone of most modern organizations, helping to ensure offices and businesses operate efficiently. Individuals with the required knowledge and skills are in demand with governments, private businesses, and non-profits in every community in the North.

To prepare Northerners to fill those roles, Aurora College offers an Office Administration Diploma, which is available through all three campuses and online, full-time or part-time. Students learn key computer programs, such as MS Word, Excel, and Outlook; organizational skills, office procedures, business writing, and business math, as well as topics such as human resources and payroll administration, financial accounting software, information and database management applications, executive office procedures, and bookkeeping and record keeping.

In addition to classroom work, students gain hands-on, practical experience through an unpaid 150-hour practicum at the end of the first year.

Program head Greta Sittichinli notes “The first year is skills-based, learning computer programs, focusing on grammar and business writing, and math. The second year is more rigorous, emulating working in an office setting and working at a higher level.”

Second year students also apply their learned skills to real-work situations, such as for their “Capstone” course. Students are tasked with planning and organizing a public event, which requires event planning, project management and teamwork skills to complete successfully. For the past nine years, students have hosted an Open House across the three campuses to promote Aurora College’s School of Business and Leadership.

The Office Administration program’s flexible delivery options allows more students the ability to participate. It is offered through all three campuses as well as online, and can be taken full-time or part-time. 

In addition, many students who complete the Office Administration Diploma choose to continue their formal education and expand their skills through the Business Administration Diploma.

Applications are open now for fall 2026 classes. Check out our website (insert link) for more information.

Alumni Testimonials:
“100% I would recommend this program. It provides students with the essential skills and knowledge required to succeed in the administration role.”
— Cayla Gillis
Fort Smith
Healthy Family Worker
GNWT Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority

“The OA program gave me hands-on experience in a professional setting and helped me apply what I learned. It was a valuable opportunity that helped me grow professionally.”
— Melissa Rogers
Inuvik, NT
Human Resource Coordinator
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation