Skilled administrative assistants are in high demand in many areas of business and industry. Administrative assistants now have many new career options thanks to the rapid growth of healthcare, legal services, data processing, management, and public relations sectors.
Thus, getting a certification or diploma course in office administration is an excellent start to building your career. Per Job Bank Canada (2025 data), over 68,000 new openings are projected through 2031, with average salaries at $52,653 CAD annually (~$21.96/hr), rising 8–15% in urban areas like Toronto/BC for tech-savvy roles.
There are various online office administration courses in Canada. If you are not sure where to look or what to choose, we have listed the best courses below to help you decide.
Coursera – Microsoft Office Fundamentals
This beginner-friendly Coursera course (part of IBM’s Microsoft Office Specialization) covers core admin tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with hands-on projects for document creation, data analysis, and virtual collaboration—essential for 2026 hybrid offices.
Self-paced at 15 hours (4 weeks, 4 hrs/week), it includes quizzes, templates, and AI integration tips (e.g., Copilot in Excel). Audit free; verified certificate ~$49 CAD. Learners rate it 4.8/5 for practical skills boosting resumes. Discover the course at this link.
Udemy – Administrative Assistant Skills Mastery: Command Your Career
This Udemy course equips individuals with the essential skills to excel as efficient and effective administrative assistants. You will learn time management techniques that optimize productivity and allow for effective prioritization of tasks (updated for 2026 with AI scheduling tools like Copilot)..
The course emphasizes organizational skills, enabling you to maintain efficient workflows and manage multiple responsibilities seamlessly. You will also gain proficiency in essential office tools, like word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets, enhancing your overall productivity and versatility.
The modules of this course cover the following topics:
- Effective communication skills
- Time management and organization
- Digital skills for administrative tasks
- Office management and team collaboration
- Professional development
This course caters to a diverse audience, including aspiring administrative assistants, current administrative assistants looking to enhance their skills, office administrators or managers, career changers, small business owners/entrepreneurs, and professionals from any field seeking to develop essential administrative skills.
Find the course details right here.
Udemy – Office Administration and Management
This course encompasses all official activities related to business and organization management. It emphasizes the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of an organization, as well as the leadership or direction required to achieve organizational objectives and goals.
Some of the topics included in this course are the following:
- Introduction to Office Administrative Management
- Skills of an Effective Administrator
- Career Opportunities in Office Administrative Management
- Business Etiquette
- Business Telephone Skills
- Organizing Meetings and Conferences
The course comprises ten modules covering various relevant topics related to your day-to-day job roles and responsibilities. It equips you with essential knowledge and techniques to eliminate errors and improve communication in a well-run office environment.
This course is suitable for entry-level employees who lack administrative skills and wish to acquire them. It also benefits job seekers or current jobholders who want to learn and improve their administrative capabilities.
Furthermore, students of Business and Management will find value in this course as it provides a comprehensive understanding of office administration principles.
Get started with the course by following this link.
ICS Canada – Online Administrative Assistant Training Program
Topics covered in the ICS Canada Administrative Assistant training program include:
- Office operations such as phone skills, filing, and scheduling
- Finances and the usage of reference materials in daily work
- Modern office tools, including webinars, online conferencing, and computer software (updated for 2026 with Microsoft 365 and AI basics)
With ICS Canada’s Administrative Assistant program, you may get your career credential in as short as five months. This online course will help you gain the skills needed to get started on your career path at your own speed.
ICS Canada is DEAC accredited, and all their courses are self-paced. Hence, ICS students enjoy the flexibility of the classes. The ICS staff also supports the students to guide them in their learning. Check out the course here.
CDI College – Online Office Administration
CDI College’s office administration online program can help you prepare for work in various office and clerical environments flexibly and conveniently (updated curriculum for 2026 hybrid work with cloud tools).
Your industry-experienced professors will teach you all of the organizational, computer, and clerical skills needed to excel in an office environment.
This course will cover the following fundamental topics for office administration:
- MS Office software,
- Office skills,
- Bookkeeping,
- Accounting, and
- Customer relations
Online courses like this program will save you significant time commuting to campus, and you will have 24/7 access to your course materials.
CDI College students appreciate the expertise of their instructors. Additionally, their instructors’ support helped them build their confidence in their careers. Find the course details right here.
LaSalle College Vancouver – Administrative Assistant Online Course
This online administrative assistant course by LaSalle College Vancouver offers the following:
- High-quality training with multimedia resources
- Continuous assessment of your comprehension of the subject at hand
- A mix of virtual educational settings, self-paced training, and homework for minimum class hours and maximum independence
- Evening virtual classes
- The program lasts 16 months.
- 20 hours each week; 750 hours (includes self-guided training, virtual classes, and individual study time)
The curriculum includes the following topics which are beneficial for an administrative assistant:
- Communication
- Word Processing
- Administrative Tasks
- Graphic Design Fundamentals
- Accounting Principles
- Project Management
- Event Planning
- Data Processing
By taking this online administration course, you may become an instrument of clear communication and learn how to design electronic layouts, publish multimedia documents, and manage projects(with 2026 additions in AI document automation). Get started with the course by following this link.
Ontario Colleges – Office Administration
Office administration programs at Ontario colleges provide students with practical and interpersonal skills that will enable them to adapt to a variety of office settings (updated for 2026 with emphasis on AI and remote collaboration).
Office administration programs at Ontario colleges may include various office administration settings, including veterinary, legal, medical, and executive offices. However, the essential office administration skills that are the emphasis of general office administration programs are shared by these programs:
- Computer abilities. A solid understanding of computing is required in office administration, from word processing to spreadsheet manipulation and analysis to email.
- Accounting: Basic math, accounting, and finance are essential for office administrators who may be responsible for payroll, expense reporting, and other financial aspects of a company.
- Procedures for the Office and Administration. Filing systems, records management, and other administrative functions are all critical to the operation of a company. Creating and maintaining these systems is an essential skill for office administration.
- Communications. Office administrators frequently serve as liaisons between companies and clients and employers and workers. They may also participate in training sessions and interview procedures. As a result, written and vocal communication skills are critical and will be emphasized in office management curricula.
Office administration programs at Ontario colleges are available as one-year certificates and two-year diplomas. If you want to start a fast-paced, challenging, multi-faceted career as an office administrator, look into this online program. Explore the course by clicking here.
University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) – Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate
The Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate program prepares students to acquire their Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP®) title. This title is an industry-recognized professional certification for the office and administrative profession, covering all aspects of today’s office support jobs and duties (aligned with IAAP 2026 updates).
This online certificate program comprises eight modules, including 19 live Zoom sessions for three months.
Topics covered in the program include:
- Introduction to Workplace Computing Systems
- Communication in Business
- Time Management
- Meeting and Travel Organization
- Minute Taking
- Financial Accounting Principles
- Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
- Fundamentals of Record Management
When all prerequisites are satisfied, students who successfully finish the certificate program with UNBC Continuing Studies will be ready for the CAP® test administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Access the course materials here.
Conestoga Continuing Education – Administrative Assistant Fundamentals
This online course from Conestoga will teach you the fundamentals of the following topics:
- managerial and administrative support,
- information and records management,
- communications technology,
- travel and meeting coordination,
- space planning, and
- office ergonomics (plus 2026 virtual office setup).
This 6-week online course is geared toward working professionals and those looking to grow in their careers. Students receive 24/7 access to their courses as of the commencement date.
Additionally, this course and its follow-up (Administrative Assistant Applications) may help you prepare for the IAAP’s internationally acclaimed CAP® exam. Find the course details right here.
Nova Scotia Community College – Office Administration
This hands-on training from NSCC prepares you for entry-level administrative office careers (updated for 2026 with digital ethics and AI modules).
Aside from studying office operations and business computer software, the following soft skills are also emphasized in this course:
- critical thinking,
- customer service,
- professionalism,
- communication,
- problem-solving, and
- teamwork.
The program also focuses on the demands of a modern office, such as task organization and fulfilling deadlines.
You will also learn practical applications such as document processing, computerized bookkeeping, databases, spreadsheets, office operations, and social media.
NSCC encourages student involvement in the IAAP. Students can benefit from professional development opportunities while networking globally with other college students and experienced administrators.
With guest lecturers and field trips to other organizations, this program gives students a glimpse into today’s modern office. Dive into the course by heading over here.
Centennial College – Office Administration
This online course will teach you the administrative support skills you need to succeed in today’s office (with 2026 focus on hybrid tools like Teams Copilot).
You’ll improve your communication and human relations skills while learning a variety of administrative skills.
Experienced lecturers will guide you through this program through a practical application of topics such as:
- Word processing
- Office procedures
- Document production
- Computer applications
- Transcription
- Communications
- Cloud computing
You can finish the course in a one-year duration (two semesters) and gain an Ontario College certificate after completion. Find the course details right here.
Academy of Learning Career College (AOLCC) – Office Administration
This flexible, integrated learning program from AOLCC (50+ locations across Canada) covers MS Office, databases, bookkeeping, and soft skills like customer service, with self-paced modules and career coaching for entry-level roles.
At 6–12 months, it emphasizes real-world projects and job placement support, aligning with IAAP CAP prep. Students rate it 4.6/5 for supportive instructors and practical focus. Enroll here.
Algonquin College – Office Administration – General (Online)
This one-year online certificate builds core skills in computing, accounting, office procedures, and communications, with hands-on projects and pathways to specialized diplomas (e.g., executive/medical).
Updated for 2026 with AI ethics and remote collaboration, it prepares for diverse office settings; includes Windows-based software training. Graduates enter public/private sectors; 4.5/5 reviews for flexibility. Apply here.
2026 Office Administration Salary & Demand Snapshot (Job Bank Canada + Robert Half, Nov 2025)
| Province | Entry-Level Salary | Experienced (3+ yrs) | Job Openings (2022–2031) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $44,000 – $56,000 | $62,000 – $78,000 | 25,000+ |
| British Columbia | $48,000 – $60,000 | $68,000 – $85,000 | 15,000+ |
| Alberta | $46,000 – $58,000 | $65,000 – $80,000 | 12,000+ |
| Québec | $42,000 – $55,000 | $58,000 – $72,000 | 10,000+ |
| Atlantic | $40,000 – $52,000 | $55,000 – $68,000 | 6,000+ |
National avg: $52,653 CAD (~$25/hr). +10–20% premium for specialized roles (e.g., medical/legal admin); 68,200 openings projected nationally through 2031, with good prospects in ON/BC.
Fastest Paths to IAAP CAP or PACE Certification in 2026 (Boosts Salary 10–15%)
| Goal | Recommended Route | Time | Cost (After Funding) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick CAP Prep | UNBC/Conestoga Certificate + IAAP Study Guide | 3–6 mo | $500–$1,000 ($375 exam) |
| Full Diploma + Cert | Centennial/CDI Online → IAAP Membership | 1 year | $4,000–$7,000 (OSAP-eligible) |
| Entry-Level Boost | Coursera MS Office + Free IAAP Webinars | 1–2 mo | ~$49 (cert) |
| Advanced (EA) | LaSalle 16-mo + PACE Exam | 16 mo | $6,000–$9,000 |
CAP (IAAP): 6 domains (e.g., communication 24%); renew every 3 yrs (60 PD points). PACE (ASAP): Shorter alternative for mid-level pros.
Must-Know Certifications & Micro-Credentials (2026 Employer Priorities)
- IAAP CAP®: Gold standard; $375 exam (apps open Feb 2026); 90% pass with prep like UNBC’s program.
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals: Free path + $99 exam (reimbursed by 60% employers).
- Google Workspace Admin: Free badge; key for hybrid roles (25% job growth).
- PHIPA/PIPEDA Privacy: Free via AccessPrivacy; mandatory for healthcare admin.
Funding You Can Stack in 2026
- Canada Training Credit: Up to $250 tax credit/yr for certs like CAP.
- Ontario Learn and Stay Grant: Full tuition if you work in-region post-grad (up to $3,500).
- BC Employer Training Grant: 80% reimbursed for MS Office/IAAP courses.
- Indspire Bursaries: $1K–$5K for Indigenous learners in admin programs.
Must-Have 2026 Skills in 90% of Job Ads (Randstad/Robert Half Data)
- Microsoft 365 (Copilot AI for scheduling/emails)
- Hybrid Collaboration (Teams/Zoom producer skills)
- Project Management (Asana/Trello basics)
- Data Privacy (PHIPA/GDPR awareness)
- Upskilling Mindset (AI ethics, prompt engineering for admins)
Quick 2026 Enrollment Checklist
- Assess Fit: General? Coursera/Udemy. Specialized? Centennial medical track.
- Apply Aid Early: OSAP/StrongerBC grants close 6–9 mo before start (e.g., Winter 2026 apps now).
- Build Portfolio: Add Coursera projects to LinkedIn; join IAAP student chapter (free).
- Network: r/OfficePolitics (Reddit) or Admin Canada groups for gigs.
- Target Sectors: Healthcare (+15% growth); aim for hybrid roles (32% of postings).
Conclusion
Administrative skills are applicable in most industries as they are essential in every field. Thus, admin jobs are in demand in all sectors around the world. Coursera’s Microsoft Office Fundamentals is our top pick on the list. This course is affordable and can help you acquire the office administration skills you need. Nonetheless, all the listed courses above are beneficial for your journey. Pick one that suits you best, considering the schedule, offers, and budget. Start learning and enhancing your skills by taking an online administration course now!
