Alaska Vocational Technical Center

Welcome to the Business & Office Technology (B&OT) program. Competent, dependable business and office employees with solid technical skills are always in demand. Success in Alaska’s changing work place means that employees must have strong communication skills, the ability to perform tasks accurately and efficiently, and the knowledge necessary to operate a variety of equipment, from copiers to computers.
Whether you are preparing for your first employment, retraining for a new career, or upgrading your skills for your current job, the B&OT program will provide you with the skills Alaska's companies are looking for. Meet Melody Wallace and Pang Roddan, two B&OT graduates who have shaped their future and careers. Previous training and work experience will be evaluated through student performance on course objectives. Students who demonstrate proficiency in a particular skill will be advanced to successive skill levels. Persons with significant previous training or experience may be able to complete all objectives in less than the prescribed time. Earn University of Alaska Credit While Attending AVTEC Business & Office Technology graduates may earn up to 30 University of Alaska college credits (depending on coursework completed) while attending AVTEC. With an annual placement rate of 95 to 100%, join the many successful graduates who are employed in their chosen field around the State of Alaska.
Program Content To achieve a Business & Office Technology certificate, students must complete the following requirements. For a detailed description of each requirement, click on the link below.
Hours Computer Operations and Software Applications 739 Keyboarding and Document Processing, Proofreading and Editing 100 Office Procedures and Office Machines, Job and Interview         Preparation, and Internship Training 172 Accounting or Recordkeeping (student will choose one) 45 Business English 125 Business Mathematics 100

Computer operations are a major part of the Business & Office Technology program. Students learn to operate computers in a modern computer lab using a variety of software that includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, accounting, and desktop publishing. Training software includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Internet Explorer, QuickBooks Pro, and Cougar Mountain Accounting.

Occupational Levels

Occupational levels of Administrative Assistant with specialization in Information Processing, Medical Information, or Legal Information; Accounting Specialist; Administrative Assistant; or General Business/Office Assistant are assigned upon successful completion of the training program and based on the student’s proficiency of the program’s competencies.

Industry Certifications

The field of business and office technology covers all aspects of training workers for today’s offices. AVTEC graduates are employed in private, state and federal offices, medical and legal offices, tribal organizations, and the construction and tourism industry. In addition to the Business & Office Technology certificate, students can also prepare for and earn the following industry certifications:

Microsoft Office Word 2007
Microsoft Office Excel 2007
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Microsoft Office Access 2007
Microsoft Vista for the Business Worker
Microsoft Certified Application Professional certification
Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3)

Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3)

The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) program is an international, validated, standards-based certification program for basic computing and Internet literacy. B&OT students are taught computing and Internet skills by IC³ Authorized Program Instructors. All B&OT students begin training with the knowledge and skills required to be a productive user of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet. IC³ certification provides Business & Office Technology students with the foundation to become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist.

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Certification

Microsoft® Certified Application Specialists are a part of a global community of distinguished achievers. This Microsoft certification credential tells the world you have demonstrated proficiency in the newest standard of the world's foremost desktop computing applications. Microsoft certifications (based on globally recognized standards) demonstrate your computing skills and help advance your career prospects in a competitive job market.

Students within the B&OT program are taught by Microsoft^® Certified Application Specialist Instructors using the curriculum designed for Microsoft^® Certified Application Specialist certification. The Application Specialist credential demonstrates to an employer that B&OT students have the skills with Microsoft's leading business desktop software.

Students may complete IC³ or Microsoft^® Certified Application Specialist testing and receive industry-recognized certifications. These certification exams are separate from the regular curriculum. Students who have completed the Computer Operations and Software Applications segment of the training should be ready to complete these certification testing.

Program Content

Computer Operations and Software Applications
Computer operations and software applications include the use of Microsoft Windows commands to start applications and manage files on a stand-alone personal computer and in a networked environment. Students also develop the skills required to produce quality mailable office documents using Microsoft Word, present financial information and other numerical data using Microsoft Excel, and prepare electronic presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. Students demonstrate the use of Internet technologies including effective Internet searching and the efficient use of electronic mail. Advanced software application skills are focused on database management using Microsoft Access, the use of graphics in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and/or Publisher, and the sharing of data between applications using Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or Access. Students can also choose to train in financial software packages such as QuickBooks Pro and/or Cougar Mountain Accounting software.
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Keyboarding and Document Processing, Proofreading and Editing
Students learn and demonstrate proper “touch typing” technique. They learn proofreading skills to identify errors, make corrections, and apply standard proofreading marks. Using a word processor, students create mailable personal-business letters, business letters, interoffice memorandums, envelopes and labels, meeting minutes, and multi-page business letters using mail merge. Throughout the program students practice daily to develop acceptable speed and accuracy levels.
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Office Procedures and Office Machines, Job and Interview Preparation, and Internship Training
Students complete a wide variety of office procedures that include ways to contribute to office safety and productivity; selecting appropriate professional behavior in office situations; demonstrating effective telephone techniques; identifying banking services; demonstrating the ability to sort, log, and route incoming mail; preparing outgoing mail and applying appropriate services, classes, and rates; applying indexing and alphabetic, numerical, subject, and geographical filing rules and procedures; demonstrating the use, identification, and purchasing of office supplies; and schedule travel arrangements, prepare travel itineraries, and complete expense reports. Students operate common office machines including the photocopier, fax, calculator, and shredder. Throughout the program students practice daily to develop acceptable 10-key speed and accuracy levels. Students also complete an application form and resume, participate in scenarios utilizing various workplace communications skills, develop interview techniques and complete a video-taped simulated job interview, and complete an Internship that consists of a minimum of one week of training in a business, industry, or other agency. Internships provide students with direct supervised work experience related to their training.
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Accounting or Recordkeeping
(Note: A student will choose Accounting OR Recordkeeping)
Accounting
The accounting section of the program focuses on identifying accounting and career opportunities in the accounting profession, and performing accounting work during a complete accounting cycle. Competencies include starting a business, analyzing transactions into debit and credit parts, journalizing transactions, posting transactions to a general ledger, the use of cash control systems, completing a worksheet, preparing financial statements, and recording adjusting and closing entries. Students will also complete simulated work for a business and computerized accounting.

Recordkeeping
The recordkeeping section of the program focuses on both personal records and forms and basic business records. Competencies include completing, verifying, filing and maintaining personal records and forms for banking, budgets, and credit; handling cash; and preparing business records for sales, travel, budgets and business banking.
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Business English
Students develop the writing skills required in business and office employment and include: time management and study skills, proofreading techniques, correct word usage, sentence structure skills (use of commas and other punctuation marks, capitalization, numbers, and abbreviations), writing business letters and memos, composing employment letters, and an introduction to transcription.
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Business Mathematics
Students master the use of basic mathematics needed in business and office employment and in personal finance, and include: whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, credit, taxes, payroll, mathematics of buying and selling, and simple and compound interest.
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Mission:
To provide students with the technical office skills and professional work habits for career success in today's business and industry. The Business & Office Technology program is committed to producing well-qualified employees for Alaska's companies, to providing a professional learning environment, and to meeting the needs of Alaska's diverse multicultural communities.

Length of Course: 1,281 clock hours (includes 183 lab hours), 183 training days
Enrollment: Next class begins August 18, 2008
Training Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Certificate Level: Business and Office Technology

Prerequisites:
Students need to read at a minimum 8th grade reading level. Contact the Admissions Office at
1-800-478-5389 for program entrance information and testing requirements.

Physical requirements of the occupation are good eyesight, finger coordination, and the ability to sit for one to two hours.

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