What you will be able to do
Diagnose, repair, clean, upgrade, securely wipe and re-image laptops, desktops, phones and tablets, and dispose of e-waste safely.
Syllabus
- Electronics and safety, anti-static practice, tools.
- Laptop and desktop hardware: disassembly, batteries, memory, storage, screens, keyboards, power adapters.
- Diagnosis: POST codes, fault trees, test equipment.
- Phones and tablets: screens, batteries, charging ports.
- Secure data erasure and certificate of wipe.
- Operating systems: licensed, Linux and ChromeOS-type installs, re-imaging, driver and update handling.
- Quality control and grading of refurbished units.
- E-waste: sorting, hazardous parts, battery safety, take-back and recycling partners.
- Running a repair business: pricing, warranty, customer records.
Hands-on practical activities
Each learner completes 10 supervised repairs on donated or salvaged devices, 5 secure wipes with certificates, 5 re-images, and one full refurbishment from intake to graded, warranty-ready unit.
Resources and equipment
Precision tool kit, anti-static mats and wrist straps, multimeter, USB boot drives, spare parts stock, battery tester, ventilated workbench, solar bench lighting and power for sites without grid power.
🔋 No power? Off-grid option
Mode C ready: runs offline on a solar-supported device and local server.
Career direction
Repair technician, refurbishment technician for Zambesi or partners, own repair micro-business, IT support assistant, school ICT technician. Progression to ZTH-NET-001 and ZTH-ENE-002.
Why it matters in the market
Large flows of second-hand devices, high repair costs and weak e-waste handling create steady demand for skilled technicians.
Assessment
Practical diagnosis test on a seeded fault; portfolio of 10 repair records; refurbish and hand over a lab-ready laptop to a school or hub.
Progression
60 contact hours over 10 to 12 weeks; entry ZTH-FND-002 or equivalent; ages 15 and over.