ICDL Trainings

ECDL: the European office certification recognised by Swiss employers

ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), now called ICDL (International Certification of Digital Literacy) internationally, is widely used office certification in Europe and Switzerland. Created in the late 1990s by the ECDL foundation, this certification validates the fundamental digital skills expected in companies: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, web navigation, IT security, online collaboration. In Geneva, Lausanne and across French-speaking Switzerland, ECDL remains widely demanded by recruiters in office support, secretarial, support functions, public administrations and local authorities, particularly in early career or in transition to tertiary roles.

ITTA offers a complete catalogue of ECDL Base modules (essential skills), ECDL Standard (advanced modules such as advanced spreadsheet, advanced presentation, advanced word processing) and ECDL Advanced (expertise on Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access). Our trainers support candidates in their preparation and organise exam sessions in our Geneva and Lausanne centres, on-site and in interactive virtual classroom.

Following a recognised ECDL training opens access to skills valued by Swiss public and private employers: administrative assistants, secretaries, reception staff, file managers, HR, evolving tertiary profiles. ECDL often constitutes a prerequisite or differentiating advantage in support function job descriptions, particularly in cantonal administrations, hospitals and international organisations based in Geneva.

Whether you are in transition, early career, candidate for a new tertiary position, HR profile or public administrator, our ECDL training in Geneva and Lausanne provides the practical skills and the official recognition expected on the French-speaking Swiss market to validate your office level.

ECDL and ICDL modules covered by ITTA

ECDL Base: digital fundamentals

ECDL Base regroups the fundamental modules: Computer Essentials (computer use, files, basic security), Online Essentials (navigation, search, communication), Word Processing (Word) and Spreadsheets (Excel). These four modules validate the digital foundation expected in companies and constitute the first step of ECDL certification.

ECDL Standard: complementary modules

ECDL Standard adds complementary modules according to your role: Presentation (PowerPoint), Using Databases (Access), IT Security, Online Collaboration (Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint), Image Editing, Web Editing. The candidate composes their ECDL Standard by combining ECDL Base and three complementary modules of their choice.

ECDL Advanced: per-product expertise

ECDL Advanced validates in-depth expertise on a specific product: Advanced Word Processing (advanced Word), Advanced Spreadsheets (advanced Excel with complex functions, PivotTables, data analysis), Advanced Presentation (advanced PowerPoint), Advanced Database (advanced Access). This certification targets support, management control and office support profiles aiming for in-depth recognition.

ICDL Workforce and new digital modules

The ICDL foundation has expanded its catalogue with modules adapted to new usages: ICDL Cyber Security, ICDL Data Analytics, ICDL Artificial Intelligence, ICDL Digital Marketing, ICDL Project Planning. These modules complement classic ECDL Base for profiles wishing to validate a specific digital skill beyond office automation.

The ECDL ecosystem and complementary certifications

ECDL fits into a broader office and digital ecosystem. Office automation training covers Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, naturally complementary to ECDL modules. The office automation certifications sub-domain regroups ECDL and MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist), often followed in complement. Excel spreadsheet and Word word processing training deepen advanced usages. The visual presentation sub-domain covers PowerPoint. For digital profiles, digital marketing and artificial intelligence training broaden beyond classic ECDL.

ECDL and ICDL trends in 2026

ECDL continues to evolve in 2026 to integrate new digital usages. ICDL AI Essentials and ICDL Cyber Security modules gain visibility. The transition from ECDL to ICDL internationally consolidates the global recognition of the certification. Public administrations and international organisations based in French-speaking Switzerland continue to request ECDL in tertiary job descriptions. The ECDL foundation maintains a rigorous exam standard that makes the certification credible with recruiters. Our pedagogical content regularly integrates these evolutions to remain aligned with current practices.

ECDL training in Geneva, Lausanne and online

All our ECDL training courses are available on-site in our Geneva and Lausanne centres, as well as in interactive virtual classroom with a live trainer. Our sessions are organised in 5-week cycles. Each session includes hands-on exercises inspired by ECDL exams and access to official ICDL Foundation resources. Customised corporate training is also possible at your premises, in Geneva, Lausanne, Vaud and across French-speaking Switzerland.

Why choose ITTA as your training centre

ITTA offers a training catalogue. Our ECDL trainers are professionals active in advanced support and office functions at Swiss companies. The ECDL catalogue contains 13 modules covering all Base, Standard and Advanced certifications. Our pedagogical team supports you in choosing the ECDL modules, preparing the exams and organising the test sessions, and identifying the funding solutions that fit your professional situation.

Our pedagogical approach favours learning by doing, with cases inspired by the daily work of Swiss companies and individualised follow-up throughout the path. Each session combines training time, applied exercises and exchanges with the trainer, allowing each participant to progress at their own pace and to leave with skills directly usable in their professional context.

Featured courses in this catalogue

Here is a selection of reference training courses in this catalogue, accessible directly:

• ICDL BASE – Computer Essentials – BM1
• ICDL BASE – Online Essentials – BM2
• ICDL BASE – Word Processing – BM3
• ICDL BASE – Spreadsheets – BM4
• ICDL STANDARD – Using databases – SM1
• ICDL STANDARD – Online Collaboration – SM3
• ICDL STANDARD – IT Security – SM4
• ICDL STANDARD – Image Editing – SM5

FAQ

What is the difference between ECDL and ICDL?

ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) and ICDL (International Certification of Digital Literacy) are the same certification under two names. ECDL was historically used in Europe, ICDL is now the unified international brand carried by ICDL Foundation. Contents and exams are identical.

ECDL or MOS: which to choose?

ECDL is more generalist (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, web, security, collaboration) and widely recognised in Europe and Switzerland. MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) is more product-specific (MOS Word, MOS Excel, MOS PowerPoint) and more recognised internationally, particularly in the United States. Many profiles follow both according to their target. Our pedagogical team guides you.

How long does ECDL preparation take?

It depends on your initial level and the number of targeted modules. ECDL Base (4 modules) typically requires 4 to 8 days of training and practice depending on your level. ECDL Advanced on a product (Excel for example) requires 5 to 10 days depending on the module. Our pedagogical team evaluates your level and proposes a suitable path.

Are your ECDL courses available for companies?

Yes, the entire ECDL catalogue is available in-house, in Geneva, Lausanne and in virtual classroom, with a programme adapted to your employees and their exam targets. Our team builds the specifications with you, organises training and ECDL test sessions according to your calendar.