New Minister poses new opportunities for the skills sector
With the resignation of Robert Halfon MP, the UK Government has a new Minister responsible for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higer Education. Nichola Hay MBE from…
Functional skills are fundamental English, maths and information communication technology (ICT) qualifications taught in UK colleges and schools focused on developing practical, transferable competencies for education, work and life.
These are foundation level courses providing baseline maths, language and digital literacy progressing up to GCSE-equivalent Level 2 standard. They build confidence in struggling learners, those with special educational needs, individuals needing to fill CV gaps for employment or swap careers by refreshing core skills.
With UK employers of all sectors and sizes prioritising communication, budget management and digital usage, functional training builds students’ confidence and workplace readiness in these essential activities underpinning roles economy-wide.
Developing functional abilities also strengthens social independence, financial and health literacy, ability to pursue hobbies and interests, supporting well-rounded life skills.
Available from pre-entry up to Level 2, functional syllabuses blend theoretical and applied content. Maths develops numerical understanding, graphs/charts and problem analysis. English emphasizes reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. ICT covers using devices, internet, email, spreadsheets and more.
Assessments blend written exams and practical assignments demonstrating real-world application of skills learned to meet rising workplace digitalization.
With the resignation of Robert Halfon MP, the UK Government has a new Minister responsible for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higer Education. Nichola Hay MBE from…
Overview Functional Skills Maths assessments are the gateway to building a strong mathematical foundation for apprentices. This interactive webinar will provide knowledge and tools to…
Overview The Functional Skills English requirements are challenging in their assessment expectations but these qualifications are an essential alternative to GCSEs and need to be…
Kerry advocates adopting a new lens for assessing achievement. Rather than tarnishing all early leavers with the same brush, we should recognise and report on…
The latest funding changes in the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) have been a welcome step in ensuring apprentices are fully supported to complete…
A pilot investigating the impact of interactive, story-based assessment on vulnerable groups has found that the method can improve engagement, motivation, and outcomes in Functional…
In the third of five articles for FE News themed around their Skills Means Growth vision for a sustainable skills system, AELP outlines how we…
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK), a leading force and innovator in the Awarding and End-Point Assessment arena, proudly announce the launch of their new suite of…
Functional Skills qualifications in English and maths have recently gone through big changes. The Department for Education (DfE) made new rules for these qualifications, and…
New research published today – Spelling It Out, Making It Count – by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) reveals that up until the…
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