Indispensable computer skills and how to learn them

More and more things are going digital: privately and in the workplace. If you have trouble using a computer, it can limit you in several areas.

Without good computer skills, you can miss important information, become dependent on others more quickly and miss out on job and development opportunities.

Learning computer skills

Whether you barely use a computer or are an IT expert, improving your computer skills is useful for everyone. Someone who knows a lot about computers may know what he or she can learn more quickly. Do you know a little less about computers? Then it can be difficult to know exactly what to learn and where to start.

The basics

Websites such as www.oefenen.nl allow you to practice the basics of computer skills for free and at your own pace. This way you can take steps on your own to become more confident in using your computer.

Microsoft Office 365

Do you have an office job? Then you really can't ignore Microsoft's tools anymore. For more than 20 years they have been the standard in the workplace. Think of Microsoft 365 as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, but also, for example, Teams or the new Copilot.

Microsoft Office today is a complete ecosystem in which collaboration, planning, analysis and communication is smarter and more secure.

While these tools have become ubiquitous in the workplace, it can be difficult to get started if you have no experience with them. Want to get started with these tools, but aren't sure where to start?

First, check out Microsoft's own training. Available for free within a few clicks from Microsoft's website.

Would you like a little more depth and like some personal guidance in your learning journey? On Springest you will find an overview of 400+ courses you can take. The basics, but also in-depth courses on, for example, Excel.

Google Docs (Workspace)

A widely used alternative to Microsoft Office is Google's "Workspace. A free service from Google consisting of Documents, Spreadsheets, Gmail, Google Meet and more. These tools are slightly more geared toward smaller businesses. While these tools are similar to Office, there are a few key differences.

Google also has its own platform where you can take free training courses to become familiar with the "Workspace.

For a more comprehensive course, take a look at this overview from Springest.

ChatGPT and other AI tools

New to the workplace; AI.

Have the computer write a text with one prompt? Check your work? Or come up with great new ideas that you never thought of yourself?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become everyone's personal assistant in just a few months.

How do you get lost in this new world? With ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude and as many as hundreds of other AI tools, it can be difficult to determine which tool is best for your situation. There are already several good trainings and courses that can help you further in the field of AI. And you'll be surprised at how much a good prompt (the text you enter yourself) can do for you.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the way to boost your career. By building your personal resume online, you easily show companies what you have experience in and what kind of education you have received. More than 8 million Dutch people use LinkedIn nowadays. So it is not only a useful platform to find a (new) job, but also to network with (future) colleagues, friends and people with a similar job as you.

Want to know how LinkedIn works and how to improve your personal profile? Look for all LinkedIn training and courses on Springest.

Reimburse your course with Doorzaam's Training Voucher

Do you work as a temporary employee? Then you can use your annual Scholingsvoucher worth €500 for one of the above courses or trainings.