Office staff who produce professional documents, analyse and report on data, and present clearly – with a QCTO certificate at NQF Level 4.

Most office roles now expect more than basic computer skills: the QCTO programme document notes that basic knowledge of the core tools is no longer enough, and that people with stronger skills can troubleshoot and solve problems on their own. This QCTO skills programme in intermediate end user computing – the Occupational Skills Programme: Intermediate End User Computing (SP-240202, NQF Level 4, 20 credits) – takes learners who have completed the Basic programme to an intermediate level in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and email.

Learners build documents on templates, styles and reusable building blocks; clean, consolidate, analyse and summarise data with functions such as IF, VLOOKUP and COUNTIF, PivotTables and charts; design presentations with slide masters, SmartArt and multimedia; and manage email professionally and securely. The programme document links these skills to administration, finance and marketing roles, and to the occupation Computer Operator.

It is the second of three QCTO end user computing skills programmes, developed with the MICT SETA as Quality Partner. BOTI runs it as practical two-day blocks on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, followed by an integration and assessment block that 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

What delegates will be able to do

• Plan a document, apply a template and heading styles, and insert images, charts, tables, lists, citations and references
• Review documents and collaborate using track changes and comments
• Build structured spreadsheets with data validation and analyse data with functions such as IF, VLOOKUP and COUNTIF
• Consolidate data across sheets, clean imported data, and use sorting, filtering, subtotals and conditional formatting
• Summarise data with PivotTables, charts and sparklines, and protect and share spreadsheets
• Design presentations with slide masters, SmartArt, charts, multimedia, animations and transitions, and deliver them with presenter tools
• Organise email with folders, filters, templates and signatures, and integrate it with the calendar
• Recognise and avoid security risks such as phishing, malware and spam

Who should attend

Administrators and administrative assistants, data entry clerks, account clerks, customer service representatives, and HR and marketing assistants who work in documents, spreadsheets and presentations every day; small business owners who manage their own documents and finances; and job seekers who want to show proficiency in office software. Entry: completion of Basic End User Computing (SP-240201, NQF Level 3), described in the curriculum as NQF Level 3 with basic end user computing skills, or access through recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Course outline

How it is delivered

Ten contact days, 08:30-16:00, as two-day blocks on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook at intermediate level, followed by an integration and assessment block that ends with the final assessment. The blocks can run on consecutive days 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 works on a computer throughout, and the practical assessment also needs a printer and internet access; 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