OFFICE TECHNOLOGY SKILLS PREFERRED BY EMPLOYERS IN SOME SELECTED BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

OFFICE TECHNOLOGY SKILLS PREFERRED BY EMPLOYERS IN SOME SELECTED BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

ABSTRACT

Employers at a few different companies in Abia state have expressed a preference for candidates with certain technological abilities for administrative positions. The research instruments used to accomplish the goal of this study were a questionnaire and a review of relevant literature. A mean score, standard deviation, and a 5-point linker scale were used to analyse the data that was obtained. Factors with a mean of less than 3.00 were disregarded, while those with a mean of 3.0 or more were considered significant.

Additionally, it revealed the preferred types of office technology skills among employers. The advantages gained from utilising these technical abilities in the workplace were also disclosed. Both NBTE and NUC were advised to modernise their curricula in order to align with the list of equipment needed by modern offices. Institutions of higher education offering various business educational programs should also receive sufficient funding from the government to cover the expense of acquiring training facilities that are up to par with what is available in modern offices.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Research

There is little question that technology has brought about tremendous change in the workplace in the last several years. This contrasts with the practice of writing letters by hand with an ink-soaked pen a few decades ago.

The flow of information into and out of the office was incredibly sluggish compared to modern standards. A lot of business deals were done based on word of mouth. The workplace, however, has been undergoing profound transformations during the past few decades.

According to Alozie (1998), there has been a never-ending demand for better, more up-to-date information for decision-making, which has led to these shifts in office operations.

As the office grows and ventures into unexplored territory in the future, Kalaus (185) noted in his commentary on the evolution of office equipment that it assumes new roles and carries out several novel and interesting tasks.

Essentially, this means that secretaries are now responsible for more than just typing and shorthand. Now that the secretary is active in other parts of the company, she is qualified to work like the other members of management.

The topic of workplace automation has really taken over our company’s conversation. This, according to Ahukannah (2000) is the employment of self-regulatory machine to execute office duties formerly undertaken by manual or semi-mechanical means.

With more and more office tasks being automated, it is essential for workers to have the necessary technology skills to adapt and stay employed.

Everyday layoffs in the office seem to target employees who lack basic abilities, such as computer literacy, which is a necessary component of any modern workplace. Consequently, it is important for secretaries and other office workers to have the skills that will help them keep their positions.

Anyaduba (1991) and Ohakwe (1996) both believe that secretaries need to be proficient in using telex, fax, computers, word processors, and reprographies in order to take advantage of the plethora of entrepreneurial opportunities made possible by technological advancements. Being familiar with the Internet, the most important facet of computers in the modern world, is also included.

The ability to operate automated machinery and equipment to complete office tasks efficiently and effectively is known as “office technological skills,” and it makes a person more marketable to potential employers.

In a society like ours, where technology is always evolving, it is crucial to keep an eye on the talents that companies are looking for in order to maximise productivity. In order to accomplish this, each step of the production process necessitated a unique set of abilities.

In order to keep up with the drastically expanded output, Anyaduba (1991) suggested that workers of the future should get degrees in business.

In light of the foregoing, this study evaluated the various technical and general abilities needed by secretaries working in modern offices in a few chosen companies in Abia state. The skills tested included proficiency with office machines and equipment as well as strong command of general office procedures.

1.2 The Statement Of The Problem

Getting up to speed on technology has not received the priority it deserves in order to meet the demands of today’s workplace, hold one’s own as an executive, and juggle various responsibilities. This has persisted for quite some time.

If an employee lacks the technical abilities needed for her current position, it doesn’t matter how good she is at the more general tasks of her job, including taking notes in shorthand, transcribing them, and keeping records. Our company’s workplace has seen a radical transformation since its heyday approximately twenty years ago.

Many employees still lack the necessary technology abilities, even if there is a clear need to develop office skills to keep up with office changes. According to Osuala (1981), business education plays a crucial role in providing students with the secretarial skills that employers seek.

Training is supposed to be a time for workers to pick up technical skills, but it’s more common for students to focus only on studying current technologies. For the most part, business studies programs at polytechnics still lack the necessary resources.

Okorie (1994) states that Nigeria follows the British educational system; however, in contrast to Britain, which uses audiovisual aids to educate its business students, Nigeria places a premium on verbal instruction.

But most secretaries’ trainees (lecturers) just have a theoretical understanding of technology, therefore they can’t help but rely on it when teaching their students. Njoku (2002) echoes this sentiment when she claims that lecturers’ graduation years strongly indicate that the majority of them were never exposed to or trained to use current office technology.

When asked about the current state of the office, Kalaus (1985) said that a lot of interesting things have changed and are still happening there, and that these changes would have an impact on things like business education programs as well as future operations and employee behaviour.

Obtaining sufficient workshop space without a sufficient supply of competent teachers is futile, according to Sofolahun (1989).

Therefore, it became imperative to conduct this study in order to ascertain the competencies needed for secretaries to keep up with technological advancements.

1.3: The Objectives of the Study

Examining which office technical abilities are most valued by employers in a sample of Abia state businesses is the driving force behind this research. To be more precise, the research endeavours:

1 In order to identify the various types of existing machinery and

The tools that employees of a few companies in Abia state have access to.

2. Recognise which technological abilities are most valued by employers in a few Abia state businesses.

3. To ascertain the competences and abilities required by the profession

Held by employees of a few chosen businesses in Abia state.

4. To determine the advantages that companies gain from the

Implementation of these abilities by employees.

1.4 The Significance of the Research

Workers in today’s offices need to be proficient in using a wide variety of modern technology, including computers, electric typewriters, telephone reprographies, and electric and electric typewriters, according to this study.

The requirement for a knowledgeable, qualified, and talented worker becomes obvious when businesses realise they need competent hands to handle modern technologies.

This study makes a strong effort to highlight the importance of properly preparing business students for various business departments. By doing so, it ensures that trainees will learn both the traditional office skills and the latest skills related to automated machines and equipment. This will help them become efficient and effective in today’s offices.

The National Board for Technical Education also recognises the importance of updating the business studies curriculum at the National and Higher National Diploma levels to reflect the needs of modern businesses.

Because it details the abilities that employees should have in addition to the ones they now have, it is also useful for businesses that hire people to do certain tasks.

1.5 Research Questions 

Our investigation was predicated on the following enquiries.

Which office technological abilities are most highly valued by employers?

which corporate organisations in Abia state do you think are the best for hiring workers?

2. What kind of cutting-edge machinery and tools are accessible to employees at a few chosen businesses in Abia state? 7.

3 – What are the key skills and abilities held by secretaries in a few chosen Abia State businesses?

Four, how do businesses profit from the

Implementation of these technological abilities in the workplace by employees of the chosen Abia state enterprise.

1.6 The Scope of the Study

Executives, Managing Directors, and Personnel Managers in companies with bachelor’s degrees or above and plenty of experience are the only ones eligible to participate in this survey.