Basic Digital Literacy (Google Workspace, Zoom, cloud storage)

By the end, you can create and share documents and spreadsheets, manage email and files in the cloud, join and run video calls, and spot online scams.

Job-ready skillAbout 30 hours3 stagesFree

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Digital literacy is the everyday computer and phone skill every job now assumes: email, documents, spreadsheets, video calls, cloud storage and staying safe online.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsUse a computer or phone confidently: files, folders, browsers and typing.Task: Create a folder system in Google Drive for your job search (CVs, certificates, applications) and upload your documents with clear file names.Core skillsUse Google Workspace or Microsoft 365: Docs, Sheets, Gmail and Calendar.Task: Write your CV in Google Docs, make a job-application tracker in Google Sheets (company, date, status, follow-up date), and set calendar reminders for follow-ups.Applied practiceWork online: video calls, sharing, security and etiquette.Task: Host a 15-minute video call (Google Meet or Zoom) with a friend: share your screen, present your tracker, and record what you learned. Turn on two-step verification on your email.

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What competent looks like

Organises files and folders with clear names
Writes and formats a document and a basic spreadsheet
Sends professional emails with attachments
Joins and hosts a video call and shares a screen
Recognises phishing and uses two-step verification

The South African route

No licence needed. Free certificates from GCFGlobal and Google Applied Digital Skills are useful proof. End-user computing (NQF level 3) learnerships are available through the MICT SETA.

Free resources

Free computer and Google skills tutorials
GCFGlobal
Applied Digital Skills
Google

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Office assistant
Receptionist
Data capturer
Any job that uses a computer