Whether you're a complete beginner, a working technician, or an engineer aiming for CCNP, this page maps out where to begin, how academic and professional qualifications actually compare, and what a realistic career ladder looks like in South Africa.
There's no single "right" first course — it depends on your background and where you want to end up. Find the description closest to you below.
No networking background at all — you want to know if this career is for you before committing months of study.
View Programme →You've touched networks before (helpdesk, support, self-taught) and want the industry-standard foundation employers actually ask for.
View Programme →You're aiming at Internet Service Provider or wireless ISP work specifically, where MikroTik is the dominant platform in South Africa.
View Programme →You want one structured programme — CCNA + MTCNA + MTCRE — that takes you from technician to junior engineer, not a single certificate.
View Programme →You have hands-on experience and a CCNA-level foundation already — you're ready for ENCOR, MTCINE, or a Service Provider concentration.
View Programme →You want a security-first path rather than general networking — begin at entry level or associate level depending on your background.
View Programme →This is the question we get asked most often — "should I do a degree or a certification?" They're not competing options, they're different tools. Here's how they actually compare.
| Academic Qualification | Professional / Vendor Certification | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | BSc IT, National Diploma, Degree in Computer Science | CCNA, CCNP, MTCNA, MTCRE, CCST |
| Typical Duration | 2 – 4 years | Days to a few months per certification |
| Focus | Broad theory — computer science fundamentals, programming, systems design | Deep, practical skill on a specific technology or vendor platform |
| Format | Lectures, assignments, academic exams | Live instructor-led classes plus hands-on lab configuration |
| Proves | Broad theoretical understanding and academic capability | Current, specific, job-ready technical competence |
| Cost & Commitment | Higher cost, multi-year commitment | Lower cost, fast to complete |
| Expiry | Permanent qualification | Often requires renewal — e.g. Cisco certifications are typically valid for 3 years |
| Best For | Long-term career flexibility, roles requiring a formal degree, further academic study, immigration/visa requirements | Fast entry into a specific technical role, staying current with real-world technology employers actually use |
A degree gives you breadth and a long academic runway; a certification gives you depth and speed to employment. Many of the strongest engineers we've trained have both — some start with certifications to get working immediately and study part-time afterward, others already hold a degree and use certifications to prove current, practical skill employers can verify instantly. Trainingbits provides professional, vendor-recognised certification training — not academic degrees — because our focus is getting you job-ready as fast as possible.
A realistic progression through the industry, with indicative South African salary bands at each stage.
Indicative monthly ranges for the South African market — general estimates only; actual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
No. Most network technician, support, and junior engineer roles in South Africa hire primarily on certifications and demonstrated skill, not a degree. A degree can help for certain corporate graduate programmes or senior architect roles, but it isn't a prerequisite for entering the field.
Yes, and many students do. Our classes are held after hours specifically so they don't conflict with full-time study or work.
For entry-level hiring, CCNA is the most widely recognised networking certification in South Africa. For ISP-focused roles, MikroTik certifications (MTCNA/MTCRE/MTCINE) carry significant weight since MikroTik dominates the local WISP market.
Most vendor certifications do — Cisco certifications are typically valid for three years before recertification is required. This is actually a strength: it keeps your skills provably current, unlike a degree which doesn't reflect ongoing technology change.
If your goal is to start earning in networking as quickly as possible, start with certifications — you can be job-ready in months, not years. If you want the broader foundation a degree provides, or need one for immigration/visa or specific corporate requirements, the two aren't mutually exclusive — pursue both over time.
Technician/support roles (CCST/CCNA level) typically lead to junior/associate engineer roles (CCNA + MikroTik associate certs), then senior engineer roles (CCNP-level), then architect/consultant roles (CCNP concentrations + years of hands-on design experience). See the career ladder above for indicative salary bands at each stage.
Tell us your background on WhatsApp and we'll recommend the right starting point.
