CSTC — Information and Communication Technology — Trade Test Level 1
About This Course
Course purpose
This CSTC course provides a structured pathway in Information and Communication Technology — Trade Test Level 1, combining instructor-led teaching, hands-on activities, knowledge checks, evidence-led troubleshooting and a portfolio. Foundation level: build core vocabulary and safe, repeatable digital habits through guided exercises.
Intended learners
CSTC learners on the ICT trade-test pathway. Complete computer-lab induction, use only approved accounts and practice data, protect credentials, and obtain authorisation before installing software or changing shared systems.
Learning outcomes
- Use digital systems safely and responsibly
- Create accurate digital documents and data outputs
- Follow a repeatable troubleshooting process
- Protect information and apply access controls
- Document work and communicate technical findings
- Communicate technical findings and reflect on improvements using accurate evidence.
Curriculum structure
- Digital literacy and safe work: Computer components, operating systems, peripherals, ergonomics, safe shutdown, passwords, phishing and digital citizenship.
- Typing, files and office productivity: Keyboard accuracy, file paths, naming conventions, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation design and printing/export.
- Internet, communication and data handling: Browser/search skills, source checks, email etiquette, attachments, cloud storage, privacy and version history.
- Basic troubleshooting and productivity: Common printer/software/network issues, error messages, safe troubleshooting, support requests and simple reports.
- Integrated ICT project and portfolio: Documents, spreadsheets and presentations; file organisation, output checks, information protection and reflection.
Delivery and assessment
Practical digital task, troubleshooting record, data-quality check, scenario questions, portfolio evidence and capstone presentation.
- Diagnostic questions and digital safety induction.
- Formative knowledge checks and practical activities after each unit.
- Integrated project requiring planning, implementation or troubleshooting, verification and handover.
- Formal trade-test/certification decisions must use authorised criteria; this course alone is not a formal TEVETA award.
Resources and equipment
Workstations, office software, safe practice datasets, network diagrams/simulators, approved support tools, backup exercises, ticket templates and access-control checklists.
Information security and learner responsibilities
Protect personal data and passwords, use approved systems and practice data, follow acceptable-use policies and escalate suspected compromise. Do not change production configuration without authorisation. Never place passwords or confidential live information in course assignments or screenshots.
Results and progression
Course participation, practical competence and formal examination results are separate records. Results remain Pending / not supplied until an authorised result is received.
Curriculum alignment notice
Content provenance: CSTC-developed material, not a verbatim copy or claim of TEVETA endorsement. Before formal assessment, instructors must map units, outcomes, tasks, assessment methods and weighting to the current TEVETA-approved curriculum/chart, centre requirements and relevant security and data-protection rules.
Curriculum
01 — Digital literacy and safe work
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Digital literacy and safe work: Computer components, operating systems, peripherals, ergonomics, safe shutdown, passwords, phishing and digital citizenship.
Expected competence
- Explain the main principles and workflow.
- Use digital tools and data safely.
- Validate results against the required outcome.
- Record evidence, errors and corrective actions.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build core vocabulary and safe, repeatable digital habits through guided exercises.
Learning sequence
- Computer components and operating systems
- Accounts, passwords and responsible digital use
Practical activity
The instructor briefs learners, demonstrates the workflow, supplies an approved sandbox/data sample and observes practice. Learners verify outputs, protect private information and seek permission before changing shared or production resources.
Evidence
- Worksheet or support ticket.
- Verified output or diagnostic evidence.
- Privacy/security and quality checks.
- Correction, escalation and reflection.
Resources: Workstations, office software, safe practice datasets, network diagrams/simulators, approved support tools, backup exercises, ticket templates and access-control checklists.
Computer components and operating systems
Accounts, passwords and responsible digital use
02 — Typing, files and office productivity
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Typing, files and office productivity: Keyboard accuracy, file paths, naming conventions, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation design and printing/export.
Expected competence
- Explain the main principles and workflow.
- Use digital tools and data safely.
- Validate results against the required outcome.
- Record evidence, errors and corrective actions.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build core vocabulary and safe, repeatable digital habits through guided exercises.
Learning sequence
- Typing, file management and document formatting
- Spreadsheets, formulas and simple presentations
Practical activity
The instructor briefs learners, demonstrates the workflow, supplies an approved sandbox/data sample and observes practice. Learners verify outputs, protect private information and seek permission before changing shared or production resources.
Evidence
- Worksheet or support ticket.
- Verified output or diagnostic evidence.
- Privacy/security and quality checks.
- Correction, escalation and reflection.
Resources: Workstations, office software, safe practice datasets, network diagrams/simulators, approved support tools, backup exercises, ticket templates and access-control checklists.
03 — Internet, communication and data handling
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Internet, communication and data handling: Browser/search skills, source checks, email etiquette, attachments, cloud storage, privacy and version history.
Expected competence
- Explain the main principles and workflow.
- Use digital tools and data safely.
- Validate results against the required outcome.
- Record evidence, errors and corrective actions.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build core vocabulary and safe, repeatable digital habits through guided exercises.
Learning sequence
- Internet searching and professional email
- Privacy, cloud sharing and collaborative files
Practical activity
The instructor briefs learners, demonstrates the workflow, supplies an approved sandbox/data sample and observes practice. Learners verify outputs, protect private information and seek permission before changing shared or production resources.
Evidence
- Worksheet or support ticket.
- Verified output or diagnostic evidence.
- Privacy/security and quality checks.
- Correction, escalation and reflection.
Resources: Workstations, office software, safe practice datasets, network diagrams/simulators, approved support tools, backup exercises, ticket templates and access-control checklists.
04 — Basic troubleshooting and productivity
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Basic troubleshooting and productivity: Common printer/software/network issues, error messages, safe troubleshooting, support requests and simple reports.
Expected competence
- Explain the main principles and workflow.
- Use digital tools and data safely.
- Validate results against the required outcome.
- Record evidence, errors and corrective actions.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build core vocabulary and safe, repeatable digital habits through guided exercises.
Learning sequence
- Basic troubleshooting workflow
- Digital data, tables and simple reports
Practical activity
The instructor briefs learners, demonstrates the workflow, supplies an approved sandbox/data sample and observes practice. Learners verify outputs, protect private information and seek permission before changing shared or production resources.
Evidence
- Worksheet or support ticket.
- Verified output or diagnostic evidence.
- Privacy/security and quality checks.
- Correction, escalation and reflection.
Resources: Workstations, office software, safe practice datasets, network diagrams/simulators, approved support tools, backup exercises, ticket templates and access-control checklists.
05 — Integrated ICT project and portfolio
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Integrated ICT project and portfolio: Documents, spreadsheets and presentations; file organisation, output checks, information protection and reflection.
Expected competence
- Explain the main principles and workflow.
- Use digital tools and data safely.
- Validate results against the required outcome.
- Record evidence, errors and corrective actions.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build core vocabulary and safe, repeatable digital habits through guided exercises.
Learning sequence
- Plan a small office task
- Digital skills assessment and portfolio
Practical activity
The instructor briefs learners, demonstrates the workflow, supplies an approved sandbox/data sample and observes practice. Learners verify outputs, protect private information and seek permission before changing shared or production resources.
Evidence
- Worksheet or support ticket.
- Verified output or diagnostic evidence.
- Privacy/security and quality checks.
- Correction, escalation and reflection.
Resources: Workstations, office software, safe practice datasets, network diagrams/simulators, approved support tools, backup exercises, ticket templates and access-control checklists.
Computer Foundations and Safe Work
Files, Documents and Everyday Productivity
Spreadsheets and Presentations
Internet, Communication and First-Line Support
Your Instructors
