Scarce skills are highly sought-after abilities that employers struggle to find in South Africa’s job market. Accredited ICB courses give students the knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in the workplace. These courses are specifically designed to fill critical skills gaps, helping you build a strong career and stand out to employers.
Apply now to gain the skills employers are looking for.
ICB Office Administration Courses
ICB courses prepare students with in-demand skills. Explore the scarce skills courses below:
| ICB Financial Accounting Courses |
View Course Page ICB Junior Bookkeeping ICB Senior Bookkeeper SA ICB Technical Financial Accounting ICB Financial Accounting |
| ICB Business Management Courses |
View Course Page ICB Small Business Financial Management Business Management & Office Administration Higher Certificate ICB Business Management Financial Accounting |
| ICB Office Administration Courses |
View Course Page ICB Office Administration National Certificate ICB Office Administration Higher Certificate ICB Office Administration Diploma |
How Do I Qualify To Study An ICB Scarce Skills Course?
Each course has specific entry requirements. Here are the requirements for the ICB scarce skills courses:
- ICB Financial Accounting Courses
- Grade 10 (NQF 2) or a Grade 10 Equivalent Certificate
- No prior accounting knowledge needed
- You must be 16 years or older
- Able to read, write and understand English
- Be able to study through distance learning
- ICB Business Management Courses
- Grade 11 (NQF 3) or a Grade 11 Equivalent Certificate
- completion of the ICB Junior Bookkeeping: National Certificate
- You must be 16 years or older
- Able to read, write and understand English
- Be able to study through distance learning
- ICB Office Administration Courses
- Grade 12 or Equivalent
- You must be 16 years or older
- You must be 16 years or older
- Able to read, write and understand English
- Be able to study through distance learning
How To Identify Skill Gaps
Finding skill gaps means checking what skills your workers have and what skills they still need. This helps you know where extra training can make a big difference. When you do this often, it helps your team work better and reach business goals.
Steps to Identify Skills Gaps:
- Look at each job description and the skills needed for the role.
- Check the skills your workers have through tests, surveys, or performance reviews.
- Compare the skills they have with the skills they need.
- Spot the areas where skills are missing.
- Create training or learning plans to help them improve.
Where Can I Study The ICB Courses?
You can study ICB qualifications at Matric college. Matric College is a distance learning college and an official provider of ICB Courses. Our ICB Courses are accredited by ICB and the Quality Council for Trade and Occupation (QCTO). Our ICB registration number is 301290.
Download a brochure to explore these accredited ICB courses in detail.
Can I Study Directly Through ICB?
ICB works through accredited learning providers who offer tuition and study resources. Matric College is an accredited ICB provider that supports you with your studies and helps you complete your ICB registration.
How Do I Register With Matric College?
At Matric College, we make registration simple and convenient for all students. You can choose the option that suits you best:
- Book a call
Ask us to call you and one of our course experts will contact you. - Register online
Complete an online registration form. - WhatsApp
Add us as a contact and send us a message on 063 560 6910 - Call us on our landline
Contact us on 021 838 8280
Contact us today to start your registration process with Matric College.
How Does Distance Learning Work?
As soon as you successfully register with Matric College, here is how you will proceed as a distance learning student studying an ICB course:
- Within 5 -7 days of registration, you will receive your study material at your doorstep by courier
- Make sure that come up with your own study timetable, we can provide assistance to set one up
- When you receive your package of study material, cover what needs to be covered before you attempt your first assignment
- Submit your assignment on the ICB MACCI platform for each subject
- Complete the tests in time on the ICB MACCI platform for each subject
- Prepare for your exams
- Get your exams tips
- Write your exams
- Pass your exams
- Get certified by FASSET
Is Distance Learning For Me?
Distance learning lets you study on your terms while balancing work and life:
Flexible schedule – Study anytime, at your own pace.
Learn anywhere – Study from home or any quiet space.
Affordable – Books provided and fees lower than contact learning.
Work & study – Apply skills on the job and earn while you learn.
Essential skills – Build time management, computer, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
Why Should I Study ICB Courses?
At Matric College, we make registration simple and convenient for all students. You can choose the option that suits you best:
- Scarce skills courses – These courses focus on in-demand skills, helping you stand out in the job market and command competitive salaries.
- Recognised courses -ICB courses are internationally and nationally recognised by:
- Accredited – ICB courses are quality-assured and accredited by:
- QCTO – (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)
- ICB – (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers)
- SAQA – (South African Qualifications Authority)
- Accessible entry requirements – Minimum requirements are:
- Grade 10 (NQF 2) or equivalent
- No prior accounting knowledge needed.
- 16 years or older.
- Able to read, write, and understand English.
- Able to study through distance learning.
- Work anywhere – ICB qualification, ICB qualifications are internationally recognised allowing you to pursue careers both locally and globally.
Student Testimonials
Here are real stories from learners who gained scarce skills with Matric College’s ICB courses—whether they wanted better job prospects, to start a business, or to study flexibly from home.
“One of the best institutions for online learning. Regular check-ups on how you’re progressing with your studies and constant reminders of the availability of tutors if needed. Opportunities to save money.”
-Zuewade M
“Matric College is the way to start afresh your life, is the best choice you can do in your life. I have never felt like this before, I’ve gained my Confidence back because of this College…”
-Ntombi M
See how ICB courses transform careers. Email me a brochure to learn more.
What Is An ICB Qualification?
An ICB qualification is a qualification obtained by studying one or more of the following ICB Programmes:
- ICB Financial Accounting Courses
- CB Business Management Courses
- ICB Office Administration Courses
What is ICB Training?
ICB training is the training that one gets by studying an ICB course. The skills and knowledge that you gain through the training is the one that qualifies you to be certified on successful completion of your course.
Are There Scarce Skills Careers In South Africa?
The April 2024 DHET Occupations in High Demand list and the October 2023 DHA Critical Skills List are the best reference points for understanding which careers are currently sought after.
These lists highlight occupations across various sectors, including ICT and digital skills, engineering and renewable energy, healthcare, finance, artisan trades, and STEM education. They serve as a guide for students, job seekers, and professionals aiming to align their career paths with the country’s most pressing skill needs.
Which Courses Have More Job Opportunities In South Africa?
The fact that ICB courses are scarce skills courses means that they have more job opportunities. Here are your career opportunities when you study ICB programmes:
| ICB Financial Accounting Courses |
| Bookkeeper |
| Accounts Clerk |
| Sales Clerk |
| Sales Administrator |
| Accountant |
| Cost Accountant |
| Management Accountant |
| Financial Advisor |
| Bookkeeping and Accounts Clerk |
| ICB Business Management Courses |
| Branch Manager |
| Sales Manager |
| Business Administrator |
| General Manager |
| Business Advisor |
| Business Owner |
| ICB Office Administration Courses |
| Administration Clerk |
| Office Manager |
| Office Supervisor |
| Administrator |
| Branch Manager |
| Officer Clerk |
| Office Orderly |
Contact our course experts today to find out which ICB course is right for you.
People Also Ask
An ICB Bridging Course helps students without matric start their studies. You can begin with the ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping, which leads into the Business Management programme. It builds the basic skills needed to move on to higher-level ICB qualifications.
You need at least 60% overall to pass an ICB course. Your final mark includes:
- 30% from tests and assignments
- 70% from the final exam
All assignments must be completed to qualify for the exam.
Yes, ICB is well-respected and QCTO-accredited. It’s great for careers in business, finance, and admin. ICB courses are nationally recognised, flexible to study online, and align with in-demand skills in South Africa.
The time it takes to complete an ICB qualification depends on the course level and your study pace. For example:
- ICB National Certificate courses can take up to 12 months if you study consistently.
- ICB Higher Certificate or Diploma courses may take 18–36 months, depending on how many subjects you take each year and whether you study full-time or part-time.
Because ICB is offered via distance learning at Matric College, you have flexibility—you could finish faster if you dedicate more time each week, or take longer if you’re balancing work and family.
While your provided links focus on ICB, it’s helpful to frame the comparison based on generally known distinctions:
- Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) offers distance learning courses focused on bookkeeping, financial accounting, business management, and office administration. These are structured as scarce‑skills qualifications and are delivered via accredited providers like Matric College. ICB sets the external assessments, while institutions like Matric College provide tuition and learning materials.
- ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a globally recognised chartered accountancy qualification. ACCA programs are typically more comprehensive and internationally recognised in accounting, finance, and management roles. Unlike ICB, ACCA also provides study resources in-house, through its approved tuition providers.
Critical and scarce skills are typically identified by assessing supply and demand in the job market. “Scarce skills” refer to those in demand but with fewer qualified individuals available—these are tracked through industry data, SETA reports, or government lists.
“Critical skills” are those essential for economic or sectoral development. Priority skills strategies often combine both, based on workforce needs and strategic frameworks.
A scarce skill is a skill that is hard to find but very important. For example, software development is a scarce skill. Many companies need people who can create computer programs, but there are not enough trained people to do this work.
Some jobs that need scarce skills are: engineering technicians, specialised doctors, and software developers. These jobs are hard to fill because they need special training and education. Companies often offer good salaries and benefits to get and keep people with these skills.
Scarce skills are skills that are not common in the workplace. They are hard to find because not many people have them.
Critical skills are skills that are very important for the country’s economy and for certain industries to work well. In South Africa, both scarce and critical skills help create more jobs and improve the economy.
Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 27, 2022