Functional Skills Overview Why Are Functional Skills Important

Functional Skills Overview

Why Are Functional Skills Important? 7 million adults in the UK have poor literacy and numeracy skills In Gateshead 22% of adults need help with their English and 63% need help with Maths. A recent report from National Numeracy stated that “Some 17 million adults -almost half the working age population -- are only numerate to the standards expected of 11 -year-olds

Useful websites – QCDA – OFQUAL – BIS – LLUK – Skills Funding Agency – Education. gov. uk – Skills for Life Network – Apprenticeship. org. uk

Skills are a key part of our plan for economic recovery, and an urgent challenge. This country’s future can only be built by people who have the skills demanded by modern work in a globalised economy. Skilled people are more productive and more innovative. Skills give individuals wider options; they climb higher, earn more and get more out of work. And skilled people are the foundation of successful businesses. ” http: //www. bis. gov. uk/policies/skills-for-growth

“Functional skills are the fundamental, applied skills in English, mathematics, and information and communication technology (ICT) which help people to gain the most from life, learning and work. ” Ofqual (2012), Criteria for Functional Skills Qualifications Functional skills are coming. . . from September 2012, all apprentices will be required to take them. Functional skills can be taken as stand-alone qualifications, are embedded within certain programmes of study and will soon be a mandatory component of Apprenticeships in England, replacing the equivalent key skills.

There will be a spotlight on how your organisation teaches and assesses functional skills, so your approach needs to be carefully considered. “Ofsted proposes to increase its focus on the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in inspection. Paying particular attention to how well teaching develops English and Maths skills. ” Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2011), New Challenges, New Chances - Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System.

Functional Skills are available as stand alone qualifications or as part of the following: - • • • Apprenticeships Pre Apprenticeship Foundation Learning Diplomas GCSEs Qualifications are available at Entry 1, 2 and 3 and levels 1 and 2

We anticipate that around one in five of all young people will be undertaking an apprenticeship in the next decade. In the coming years, we want apprenticeships to be seen alongside university as a great option for young people who want the best jobs, the best careers and the best chance to get on - and we will only do this if they have the confidence of both learners and employees. " http: //www. dius. gov. uk/news_and_speeches/press_releases/apprenticeships_legislati on

References Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (December 2011), New Challenges, New Chances - Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System. http: //www. bis. gov. uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/f/11 -1380 further-education-skills-system-reform-plan Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (May 2011), Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) - Guidance. http: //www. bis. gov. uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/s/11 -523 specification-apprenticeship-standards-england-guidance Ofqual (January 2012), Criteria for Functional Skills Qualifications. http: //www. ofqual. gov. uk/downloads/category/67 -functional-skillsqualificationcriteria