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Courses on this topic at BOTI today
- Introduction to Computers and Microsoft Office Basics (2 days)
- Occupational Skills Programme: Basic End User Computing – SP-240201
- Python Short Course: Introduction to Programming with Python (2 days)
At your offices anywhere in South Africa, live online or at a BOTI venue.
See all Microsoft Office and Computer Skills coursesGet a quote for your teamLearning on your own? Self-paced e-learning from R595 (excl. VAT) · Ask your employer to pay
ICT training for teams
ICT (information and communication technology) training gives staff the computer skills their work depends on: using Windows and Microsoft 365, writing documents, managing email, building spreadsheets, reporting on data and, for some roles, writing code. For most organisations, ICT training is less about technical IT support and more about helping everyone work faster and with fewer errors on the systems they already have.
BOTI’s ICT short courses in South Africa run from computer basics and Microsoft Office through to Excel, Power BI, SQL querying and Python. This guide sets out the levels, who each one suits and how to choose the right starting point for each person. To compare every option, browse our ICT and computer skills courses, from Introduction to Computers to Python programming.
ICT short courses: five levels
1. Computer basics and digital safety
For staff who are new to computers or never had formal training. Introduction to Computers and Microsoft Office Basics (2 days) starts from switching the computer on: Windows, files and folders, saving and backing up, safe email and internet use, and first steps in Word, Excel and Outlook. Improving Your Typing Skills: Touch Typing Course (1 day) builds typing speed and accuracy, and Cyber Security Awareness Training (1 day) teaches non-technical staff to spot phishing, scams and risky habits.
2. Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365
For people who use a computer but not yet the Office programs. Microsoft Office Essentials: Word, Excel and PowerPoint Beginners (3 days) covers the three core programs, and Microsoft Office All-in-One (5 days) adds computer basics and Outlook. Separate courses take Word, PowerPoint and Outlook from beginner to advanced level. Microsoft SharePoint End User Training for Microsoft 365 (1 day) covers shared sites and document libraries, and Microsoft Copilot for Productivity (1 day) shows staff how to use the AI assistant in Microsoft 365 for everyday tasks.
3. Excel
Excel has its own ladder. Microsoft Excel Beginners (1 day) covers entering and formatting data, basic formulas and charts. Microsoft Excel Intermediate (1 day) adds lookups, conditional totals and pivot tables, and Microsoft Excel Advanced (1 day) moves on to advanced functions and what-if analysis. Microsoft Excel Beginners to Advanced (3 days) covers all three levels for a group, and Writing Excel Macros with VBA (3 days) automates repetitive reports.
4. Data and reporting
For analysts, managers and anyone who builds reports. Data Analytics Fundamentals with Excel and Power BI (3 days) teaches the analysis process from the business question to the presentation. Microsoft Power BI Basics (3 days) turns spreadsheets and databases into interactive reports and dashboards, and Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server: SQL Querying (2 days) teaches staff to pull data straight from a database.
5. Programming
For staff who want to automate tasks and work with data in code. The Python Short Course: Introduction to Programming with Python (2 days) needs no programming experience, and Python Programming Training (5 days) goes on to object-oriented programming, data analysis and automating files and Excel workbooks.
How to choose the right ICT course
- Start with the work, not the software. List the tasks each person does every week and where time is lost: retyping data, rebuilding the same report, searching for files.
- Check each person’s level before you book. Ask delegates what they can already do, so that nobody sits through what they know or struggles to keep up.
- Group people by level. A class works well when delegates are at a similar level. A mixed team can split across two courses.
- Match the software version. Tell us whether your team uses Microsoft 365 or an older version of Office, so that the training matches the screens they see at work.
- Plan the next step. ICT skills build on each other. Practising at work between one level and the next helps the skills stick.
ICT training formats and certificates
BOTI runs its ICT courses in-house at your premises anywhere in South Africa, at its venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or online. In-house training suits a group from one department, the venue suits individuals and small groups, and online training suits staff spread across different offices. Every course is hands-on, with each delegate working at a computer, and laptops with the software can be supplied on request.
BOTI’s ICT short courses are not accredited. They are delivered as professional skills programmes, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. The National Certificate: IT End User Computing (SAQA 61591) closed to new enrolments on 30 June 2026 and continues only for learners who are already enrolled.
Book or request a quote
Tell us which course you need, how many delegates you have and where they are based, and we will send a quote for in-house, venue or online training.
Or browse all our courses – run at your offices, online or at a BOTI venue:
Speak to a BOTI consultant
Phone 011 882 8853 or email [email protected], or fill in the form and we will get back to you.
Frequently asked questions
What ICT short courses does BOTI offer?
BOTI’s ICT short courses cover computer basics, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project and SharePoint), Excel from beginner to advanced, Power BI, SQL Server querying, Python programming, Sage Pastel, CorelDRAW, Adobe software and AutoCAD. Each is a practical course for working staff, run in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or online.
Which ICT course should a beginner start with?
If you are new to computers, start with Introduction to Computers and Microsoft Office Basics, a two-day course. If you can already use a computer but not Office, Microsoft Office Essentials covers Word, Excel and PowerPoint for beginners over three days. From there you can move up the Excel courses, from Beginners to Intermediate and then Advanced.
Are BOTI’s Microsoft Office and computer short courses accredited?
No. The courses in BOTI’s Microsoft Office and computer skills range are delivered as professional skills programmes, not as accredited qualifications, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. Each course page sets out the topics covered and the number of days, so you can match the course to the skills your team needs.
How long are ICT short courses?
Many of BOTI’s ICT short courses run for one to three days. For example, Microsoft Excel Beginners is one day, Introduction to Computers and Microsoft Office Basics is two days, and Microsoft Office Essentials is three days. Longer options include Python Programming Training and the Microsoft Office All-in-One course, which run for five days each.
Can ICT training be done online or at our offices?
Yes. BOTI runs its ICT courses in three formats: in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or online. Tell us how many delegates you have, where they are based and which software version they use, and we will recommend the format. Call 011 882 8853 or email [email protected].
If you already work confidently in Excel and want to take your skills further, book the Microsoft Excel Advanced course. BOTI runs it in-house at your premises, at our venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or online, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. Call 011 882 8853 or email [email protected].