We all like to have something to prove that we know something – in other words a certification!
The Information Technology world is full of certifications to choose from – they are aimed at technical knowledge.
Not something that you or I are interested in.
The good news – there are three options to prove your skills and knowledge with applications.
European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
The first one to consider is the ECDL (now being called ICDL (Internal Computer Driving License)).
It focuses on computer skills and doesn’t refer to a specific suite.
Modules:
- IT user fundamentals
- Internet and email
- Word processing
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Database software
- Online collaboration
- Improving productivity
- Project planning
- IT security for users
For more information have a look at the office ICDL Europe site.
Internet Core Computing Certification (IC3)
Similar to the ECDL, IC3 also focuses on computer skills rather than a specific suite.
The key difference between them is that the IC3 requires just 3 exams to complete.
Modules:
- Fundamental concepts and essential components.
- Working knowledge of each of the seven skill groups.
- Advanced understanding of digital literacy.
Check the details Certiport website (direct link) for information on IC3.
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
As the name suggests, this one is specific for Microsoft and the programs in their Office Suite.
You select the specific software, the version and the level you want to prove.
Exams:
- Word Core
- Word Expert
- Excel Core
- Excel Expert
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Access Expert
The Certiport website (direct link) also has details on MOS.
In some of the future blogs, I’ll be looking into each of these in more detail and looking at the pros and cons of them.
Sharing information and offering suggestions for those who want a certificate and if so, which one could work best for you.
Latest Posts
- The Quickest Way to Navigate Microsoft Teams
If you spend a lot of time in Microsoft Teams, you’ll know the struggle — endless scrolling through chats and channels trying to find the one you need. The Microsoft Teams GoTo command is here to fix that. It’s a simple keyboard shortcut that takes you straight where you need to go, no scrolling required.… Read more: The Quickest Way to Navigate Microsoft Teams - Can’t Find Your Unread Teams Messages? Try This First
Have you ever noticed a notification in Microsoft Teams telling you there’s an unread message, but no matter where you look, you just can’t track it down? You’re not alone — it’s one of those small but genuinely frustrating things that can eat up your time. The good news is there’s a really simple way… Read more: Can’t Find Your Unread Teams Messages? Try This First - Pin Messages in Microsoft Teams – and Actually Find Them Again
If you’ve ever shared something important in a Teams channel and watched it disappear into the scroll, you’re not alone. The good news is that you can pin messages in Microsoft Teams so they’re easy to track down later. The slightly less good news? Microsoft moved where your pinned messages live, and it’s not where… Read more: Pin Messages in Microsoft Teams – and Actually Find Them Again - Never Lose a Teams Chat Again With This Simple Trick
Have you ever lost track of a chat in Microsoft Teams and ended up scrolling through your entire sidebar trying to find it? It’s one of those small frustrations that happens more often than it should. The good news is the Microsoft Teams filter text box is already built into Teams and means you should… Read more: Never Lose a Teams Chat Again With This Simple Trick - The Truth About Microsoft Copilot Security for Business Owners
If you’ve been wondering about Microsoft Copilot data privacy — whether it’s snooping through your files or feeding your business information into some public AI model — you’re not alone. It’s the question I get asked more than any other. So let me give you the straight answers, without the tech jargon. First, What Can… Read more: The Truth About Microsoft Copilot Security for Business Owners