How long does it take to learn to use Microsoft Access proficiently?

Bobby: How long does it take to learn to use Microsoft Access proficiently?
If I already have working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook, and I want to learn to use Microsoft Access proficiently, so I can work in a job that requires the working knowledge of Microsoft Access, how long does it take approximately? Can it be learned in 1 week?

Thanks.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Stewie
Access is fairly straight-forward once you have got your head round it. Although try not to think along the lines of data stored in Excel, as Access uses relational databases (i.e. the data is stored across several different tables).

Also a summarised look at Access, uses Tables to store information, Forms and Reports display the data and Queries extract the required data you wish to view, update, insert or delete.

There is a quick start guide on Access 2007 and Access 2010 below to help you get going.

Answer by josh
I took a class on all the ms programs last year, guess what it sucked. access was the hardest and most worthless program of them all. according to my teacher there isn’t even really a point to learning it unless its for personal uses because most business have there own program created, this I’m not sure about but this is what i was told. in my class this is the ms program we spent the most time on about a month, but these were high school classes that were only 45 minuets each, and were were also able to do any thing when we were done but half the stuff wasn’t useful at all. I’m going to say about two weeks time is how long it will take but everyone learns at different rates, and its like i said we had 45 minuets a day if you could afford to double that than i guess a week may possible, but i guarantee you are going hate it so spending that much time at once is going to suck.. good luck. i hope this helped.

Answer by Colanth
To use it as Microsoft intended? To make you think you can manipulate a database? A few months.

To actually use it? Meaning learning programming, database management, VB and SQL? A few years.