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Quick Look Course Summary:Occupational Skills Programme: Basic End User Computing – SP-240201
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Next Public Course Date:
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Length: 10 day(s)
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Price: 1 Person Price on request 3 Person Price on request 10 Person Price on request
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Certification Type:Awaiting QCTO Accreditation
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Locations & Venues: Off-site or in-house. We train in all major city centres throughout South Africa
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Staff who use computers, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, email and the internet safely and confidently – with a QCTO certificate at NQF Level 3.
Basic computer skills are now part of most jobs, yet many employees have never been taught them properly. This QCTO skills programme in basic end user computing – the Occupational Skills Programme: Basic End User Computing (SP-240201, NQF Level 3, 30 credits) – builds a person's ability to handle computing devices safely, manage files and folders, and use word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software, email and the internet for everyday work, securely.
It is the first of three QCTO end user computing skills programmes: Basic (NQF Level 3), Intermediate (SP-240202, NQF Level 4) and Advanced (SP-240203, NQF Level 5). New learners who would have enrolled on the legacy National Certificate: IT End User Computing (SAQA 61591), closed to new enrolment on 30 June 2026, are referred to these programmes. The programme was developed with the MICT SETA as Quality Partner.
BOTI runs it as five practical two-day blocks – computer concepts and Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, email and the internet – with every learner working on a computer throughout. It ends in a written and practical final assessment set, run and moderated by BOTI under QCTO rules. BOTI's accreditation for this QCTO skills programme is awaiting the QCTO's decision. Enrolment opens when accreditation is confirmed; enquiries and bookings for later dates are welcome.
Why this course
For your organisation
- Staff who handle computing devices safely and manage files on the device, on external storage and in the cloud
- Business documents, spreadsheets and presentations produced to a consistent standard
- Safer email and internet use: secure browsing, suspicious links, strong passwords and antivirus software
- A registered QCTO credential of 30 credits at NQF Level 3 for staff who need formal recognition of their computer skills
- A clear first step on a three-level computer skills path
For your delegates
- A QCTO skills programme certificate: 30 credits at NQF Level 3
- Hands-on practice on a computer in every session
- Confidence with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and the internet
- A route to the Intermediate and Advanced programmes
What delegates will be able to do
- Handle, power and store computing devices safely and identify their key components
- Navigate the operating system and solve basic problems
- Manage files and folders, download and upload documents, and store data on the device, external media or the cloud
- Create, format, save, print and share basic word-processed documents with images and tables
- Build basic spreadsheets with formatted data, formulas and functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, MAX and MIN, sorting and charts
- Design and deliver a basic presentation with graphics, transitions, animation and speaker notes
- Draft, send and respond to emails with subject lines and attachments
- Use web browsers and search engines safely, with sound security settings and passwords
Who should attend
Employees who need to improve their computer skills, people preparing to move into a new field of work, school-leavers and students preparing for the job market, and small business owners. The programme document names roles that rely on these skills, such as data entry clerk, administrative assistant, receptionist, call centre agent, customer service representative, bookkeeper and office assistant. Entry: an NQF Level 2 qualification, or access through recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Course outline
Days 1-2 – Computer concepts and Windows
Computing devices and the operating system (Knowledge Module 900238-000-00-KM-01, 2 credits)
- Types of computing devices, their features and the input-process-output flow
- Devices and methods for interacting with a computer
- What an operating system is and what an end user needs to know about it
- Information as a business asset
Manage the human interface with computing devices (Practical Module 900238-000-00-PM-01, 8 credits)
- Health and safety when handling, powering on and off, and storing devices
- Identifying devices and their key components
- Navigating the operating system, inputs and outputs, and basic troubleshooting
- File and folder management
- Downloading, uploading and storing data on the device, external media and the cloud
Days 3-4 – Word processing (Microsoft Word)
Word processing concepts (Knowledge Module 900238-000-00-KM-02)
- Good business writing and common types of business document
- Templates, and text, paragraph and page formatting
- Proofing and printing
Basic word processing in practice (Practical Module 900238-000-00-PM-02)
- Creating a document and adding and editing text
- Inserting images and tables
- Headers and footers
- Saving, printing and sharing
Days 5-6 – Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)
Spreadsheet concepts
- Structuring and labelling a spreadsheet
- Number and date formats, rows, columns and several sheets
- Basic statistical and mathematical principles
- Saving in different formats, including CSV and PDF
Basic spreadsheets in practice
- Entering and formatting data
- Formulas and core functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MAX and MIN
- Sorting data and creating basic charts
- Saving and printing
Days 7-8 – Presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint)
Presentation concepts
- What makes a good presentation
- Slide layouts, text and paragraph settings
- Graphics, SmartArt and images
- Views, spell check and printing
Basic presentations in practice
- Designing a presentation with graphics and multimedia
- Slide transitions and animation
- Speaker notes, rehearsal and delivery
Days 9-10 – Email and the internet (Microsoft Outlook) and final assessment
Digital communication and safe browsing
- Types of digital communication, networks, security, ethics and responsible use
- Drafting emails with subject lines and attachments, proofreading, sending and responding
- Choosing and setting up a web browser: preferences, security settings and updates
- Secure browsing, suspicious links, strong passwords and antivirus software
- Ethical use of information found online
Final Integrated Supervised Assessment (FISA)
- Written: real-life scenarios, up to 1 hour 30 minutes, pass mark 70%
- Practical: computer operations and file management, a document, a spreadsheet and a presentation, typically up to three hours
- Questions from the assessor during the practical
- Competent or Not Yet Competent; re-assessment uses different tasks
How it is delivered
Ten contact days, 08:30-16:00, in five two-day blocks: computer concepts and Windows; Word; Excel; PowerPoint; and Outlook, email and the internet. The final assessment takes place in the fifth block. The blocks can run consecutively or be spread out. There is no work-experience module. Training runs at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at BOTI's venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online, for one learner or a group of up to about 20. Every learner needs a computer; laptops with the software can be supplied on request. Learner material is provided. Enrolment opens when BOTI's accreditation for the programme is confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Is BOTI accredited to deliver this programme?
Not yet. Basic End User Computing is a QCTO occupational skills programme (SP-240201, NQF Level 3, 30 credits), and BOTI's accreditation for it is awaiting the QCTO's decision. Enrolment opens when accreditation is confirmed; enquiries and bookings for later dates are welcome. Learners found competent in the final assessment receive a certificate issued by the QCTO. The QCTO's last date for enrolment on the programme is 29 February 2030.
What are the entry requirements?
An NQF Level 2 qualification. Learners who do not meet this may gain access through recognition of prior learning (RPL), and learners who already have a module's competencies may be exempted from it through RPL.
How is it assessed?
Through activities during the programme and a formal assessment at the end of each module, then a final assessment in two parts: a written paper of up to 1 hour 30 minutes (pass mark 70%) and a practical of typically up to three hours on a computer, with questions from the assessor.
Do learners need their own computer?
Every learner works on a computer throughout, and the final assessment needs internet access, the office applications, an email client, a browser and a printer. Laptops with the software can be supplied on request.
What are the next levels?
Intermediate End User Computing (SP-240202, NQF Level 4) and then Advanced End User Computing (SP-240203, NQF Level 5).
Is there a shorter, non-accredited option?
Yes. BOTI's two-day Microsoft Office courses, such as Introduction to Computers and Microsoft Office Basics, cover the same applications without the QCTO assessment; delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Related courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course accredited?
Yes. This is one of BOTI's accredited offerings. BOTI is accredited with the Services SETA (accreditation number 12582) and is a QCTO Quality Partner. The qualification or unit standard, its SAQA ID, NQF level and credit value are shown on this page.
Can this course be delivered in-house at our premises?
Yes. Every BOTI course can be delivered on-site at your offices anywhere in South Africa, or at a scheduled public venue, and can be customised to your team and industry.
How do I book or get a quote?
Use the enquiry form on this page for a tailored quote, or call 011 882 8853 / email [email protected]. The course length and next public course date are shown in the Quick Look summary.
Can this training count towards our B-BBEE scorecard?
Yes. As accredited training it counts toward the skills development element of your B-BBEE scorecard, and it can support Workplace Skills Plan, Annual Training Report and SETA grant claims. Where a learnership applies you may also access the Section 12H tax allowance.
Do you tailor the training to our industry?
Yes. Our training is built around your business, using practical, real-world examples relevant to your team and sector.