Register for EPCON
Student registration · Find your edge
Enter Zimbabwe’s National Student Technology Skills Championship — certify a globally recognized skill, build a real project, and pitch it. Choose the track (or tracks) you want to compete in.
We’ll confirm your entry and send next steps and payment details by email.
Zimbabwe's National Student Technology Skills Championship. Prove Your Digital Skills.
IC3 Digital Literacy is EPCON’s Foundation track: a full competing track open to everyone, in both the Junior and Open divisions. Earn a globally recognized digital literacy certification, build a practical capstone and compete for a place among the four Foundation finalists who pitch for the Digital Literacy title. Enter it on its own or alongside any other track.
Register for EPCONUS$100 per student · or 3 installments of $45 + $35 + $30
Don't Just Use Technology. Prove You Can Succeed with It.
Certify and build like every other track. Your certification result sets your ranking, and the four strongest capstones pitch for the Digital Literacy title.
The Credential That Says You Can Actually Work A Computer
See how the EPCON Foundation track works, from your first practice test to the finals stage.
Everyone Assumes You're Digitally Skilled. Few Can Prove It.
Schools, universities and employers expect digital skills but rarely verify them. IC3 turns that assumption into proof of skill.
A Global Standard
IC3 Digital Literacy, an internationally benchmarked certification from Certiport.
A Real Foundation
Computers, the internet, online safety and productivity tools: the base every career track builds on.
Pairs with Any Track
Enter IC3 on its own or add it to a career track, from Office and design to coding and cybersecurity.
IC3 Digital Literacy: Three Levels, One Master Badge
IC3 Global Standard 6 has three stackable levels. Pass all three and the IC3 Master badge is awarded automatically.
Foundations
Computing fundamentals, operating systems, files, applications and digital citizenship.
Connectivity
Networking, the internet, cloud services, collaboration tools and online security.
Mastery
Advanced data handling, privacy and ethics, troubleshooting and professional practice.
Your 2027 EPCON Season
The Foundation track runs on the same season as every other track.
Certify
Prepare with LearnKey and GMetrix, then pass IC3 Digital Literacy by 17 September 2027, at school or a nearby Certiport Authorized Testing Center. Write it whenever you’re ready; retakes run until 1 October. Your first-attempt score sets your provincial and national ranking.
Build
Create your digital skills guide or short training and submit it online by 5 November 2027. A national panel judges every capstone.
Pitch
The four strongest Foundation capstones pitch live at the national finals for the Digital Literacy title.
Combine
Add IC3 to any career track as part of a multi-track entry, or step up into one next season.
Decided by Your Exam Result
Only your first attempt counts. Highest score ranks first; on a tie, the shorter exam time ranks higher, following Certiport World Championship rules.
Decided by A National Panel
Every capstone is judged nationally online. Your exam score plays no part.
A Practical Digital Skills Guide Or Short Training
Help your school or community use technology safely and productively. Pick a real need and build something people can actually use.
Spot The Need
Find a digital skill people around you struggle with, such as online safety, email or cloud storage.
Plan It
Decide on your audience and format: a guide, a short training or a how-to series.
Build It
Create it using the productivity and digital tools you certified in.
Test It
Try it with real people and improve it.
Share It
Deliver it to your school or community.
Submit It
Submit it online by 5 November 2027. If it’s shortlisted, you pitch it live to the judges in December.
Thirteen Career Tracks. Add One Alongside IC3.
Enter IC3 on its own or alongside any of these tracks. Each track is a separate entry.
Microsoft Office Specialist
Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with a path to the world stage.
Business & FinanceIntuit QuickBooks
Run the books for a real small business.
EntrepreneurshipSmall Business & Entrepreneurship
Build and pitch a real community venture.
Creative & MediaAdobe Certified Professional
Brand identities and campaigns, with a path to the world stage.
Creative & MediaUnity Game Design
Ship a playable game with purpose.
Engineering & CADAutodesk Certified User
Design a real product or structure in CAD.
Software DevelopmentPython
Automate a real workflow.
Software DevelopmentWeb Development
Ship a working site for a partner.
Data & AIArtificial Intelligence
Ship an AI prototype for a local problem.
Data & AIData Analytics
Turn real data into a Power BI dashboard.
Networks & SecurityCybersecurity
Run a supervised security review.
Networks & SecurityCCST Networking
Design and configure a network to spec.
Networks & SecurityCloud Computing
Deploy a working cloud solution for a real problem.
Everything You Need to Build Your Foundation
$45 + $35 + $30
This Is What You'll Walk Away With
Every certified graduate earns an official IC3 Digital Literacy certificate, recognized by schools, universities and employers worldwide.
Sample shown for illustration. Your certificate carries your name and certification details.
Press Play. Join The SkillHackers.
Level 1 Is Step One on Your Digital Literacy Certification Pathway
Stack all three IC3 levels for the Master badge, then add a career track certification.
Levels 2 And 3
Add Connectivity and Mastery to your Foundations.
IC3 Master Badge
Awarded automatically when you pass all three levels.
A Career Track
Office, design, coding, data, AI, cloud, networking or security.
Going through A Tough Season? Apply for Sponsorship.
EPCON sponsorship is for students who are financially disadvantaged or going through a rough patch. When you apply, describe your financial situation honestly so sponsors can understand your need.
Applications go to external sponsoring organizations, who make the final decision. Submitting an application does not guarantee sponsorship.
A Transparent Process
Two Divisions, One National Stage
Junior Division · Ages 13–22
Secondary and early tertiary students building their digital foundation.
Open Division · Up to Age 25
University students and recent graduates who want verified digital skills, on their own or alongside a career track.
Open to students in all 10 provinces. No provincial rounds and no travel: you write at school, or at a nearby testing center we arrange where a school has no computer lab. Rankings are published online and all awards are presented at one national ceremony on 3–4 December 2027 at St John’s College, Harare. Parent or guardian details are required for entrants under 18.
Coach This Track? Get Certified Free.
When at least 5 learners from your school or club register and pay for the IC3 Digital Literacy track, the teacher who coaches them gets a complimentary bundle: LearnKey materials, a practice test, the certification exam and a retake. One bundle for every 5 paid learners, up to 3 per track per school, for registrations by 31 March 2027. Schools and clubs entering 10 or more learners on one invoice pay US$90 per entry.
Take It with You
The Choose Your Track guide helps families and schools decide; the information pack covers the whole season. Share them with your parents, your school or your company.
Before You Register
What is EPCON?
EPCON is Zimbabwe's national student technology skills championship. Every competitor certifies and builds a capstone. The strongest capstones in each track pitch live at the national finals on 3–4 December 2027 at St John’s College, Harare.
Is the Foundation track a real competing track?
Yes. IC3 Digital Literacy is EPCON’s Foundation track, open to everyone in both the Junior and Open divisions, not only beginners. You certify and build a capstone like every other track. Your certification result sets your ranking, and the four strongest capstones pitch for the Digital Literacy title.
How are rankings decided?
All rankings come from your certification result and follow Certiport World Championship rules: the highest score ranks first, and on a tie the shorter exam time ranks higher. The top 10 in each province are published online, the provincial #1 wins a prize, and the national top 3 win prizes at the national ceremony.
What is the Digital Literacy title?
It’s the Foundation track’s Best Capstone award. Every capstone is judged nationally online, the four strongest are shortlisted to pitch live in December, and one winner takes the title. Your exam score plays no part in capstone judging.
What is the People’s Choice award?
The four Foundation finalists go up for an online community vote on EPCON, EPCON SkillHack and EdgeCircle. One vote per track per verified account. The winner is revealed at the awards ceremony.
Can I enter IC3 alongside another track?
Yes. IC3 can be one of your multiple tracks. Each track is a separate entry with its own certification and capstone, at US$100 per track.
Do I need any computer experience?
No. IC3 starts from the basics, and LearnKey and GMetrix prepare you step by step.
Which IC3 level do I start with?
Most students start with Level 1 (Foundations). Levels 2 and 3 build on it, and passing all three earns the IC3 Master badge.
Does my IC3 certification expire?
No. IC3 credentials never expire.
Can I get help paying for registration?
Yes, if you're financially disadvantaged or going through a rough patch. Register for this track, then apply for sponsorship from your EdgeCircle profile and describe your financial situation. Sponsoring institutions choose directly from the applicant pool and we don't influence their decisions, so sponsorship isn't guaranteed. We recommend paying the $45 installment deposit so you can start preparing early. If you're selected, we refund you.
Can my school or club register a group?
Yes. School and club entries are invoiced, and schools and clubs entering 10 or more learners on one invoice pay US$90 per entry. When at least 5 learners from a school or club register and pay for a track, the teacher who coaches them gets a complimentary bundle for that track: LearnKey materials, a practice test, the certification exam and a retake. One bundle for every 5 paid learners, up to 3 per track per school, for registrations by 31 March 2027. Request a school invoice on WhatsApp and our team will set up your learners.
Is there a discount for entering more than one track?
Yes, for one student entering different tracks: 10% off two tracks and 15% off three or more, when you pay for them in full together. Installments are paid per track and aren’t discounted. The group rate and the multi-track discount don’t combine; each learner gets whichever is better.
What if I don’t pass my exam the first time?
Rankings use your first attempt only, so prepare well before you sit. If you don’t pass, you can retake for US$25. You can retake any time before 1 October 2027, even before the 17 September exam deadline. Pass the retake and you are certified, so you can still build, submit your capstone and pitch if you are shortlisted. Registered students can pay for a retake online.
Can our school club enter as a team?
Yes. Many clubs make their capstone the club’s project for the year. Every team member registers and certifies in the track by 1 October 2027, when teams are locked, and teams follow the track’s format. A club can enter several teams in different tracks. Rankings stay individual, and the strongest club in the country wins Club of the Year at the national finals.
Who works with learners, and how are they kept safe?
Teachers, club patrons, mentors and judges. Partner mentors and judges work with learners only through their school or club, with a teacher or patron present or copied in, and never ask learners for personal contact details. Learners keep ownership of their capstone work unless their school agrees otherwise. Parent or guardian details are required for entrants under 18. Learners under 18 should approach companies through their school or club, with a teacher or patron copied in.
Is there somewhere to study if I don’t have internet or power at home?
Yes. Registered students can use an EPCON study lab for US$15 a month, whenever no classes are running. Use one of our computers, or bring your own laptop and use our internet. It’s there for students without internet at home or affected by power cuts. Book a slot on WhatsApp first and we’ll confirm your nearest lab: +263 781 004 006. Registered students can pay for lab access online.
Where do I write the exam?
At your school. Where a school has no computer lab, we are arranging Certiport Authorized Testing Centers (CATCs) nearby, and students not in school write at the nearest CATC. There are no provincial rounds and no travel.
Your EPCON Season Starts Here
Build your digital foundation, earn your proof of skill and step up into a career track as a certified graduate.
US$100 per student · installments available · schools are invoiced