November 2009

Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is the non-regulatory part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. © QCA 2009

Functional skillsSamina Khan

Head of functional skills, QCDA

What are functional skills?

Practical skills in English, maths and ICT that help people get the most out of work, education and everyday life, such as:

Writing a successful job application, or making a presentation – helping you to get your point across when it matters most.Using the internet to access local services or online banking.Recognising good value deals when making purchases.

Functional skills qualifications are the guarantee of these skills

Available at Entry levels 1, 2, 3, Level 1 and Level 2

Why functional skills?

Leitch review of skillsUK needs “95% of adults to havefunctional literacy and numeracy by 2020”

CBI 3Rs reportEmployers demand for functional skills in applicants

2009 CBI Education and skills survey40% of employers are concerned about the basic literacy and numeracy skills of workforce57% concerned with basic IT skills

Tomlinson reportAll 14-19 year olds shouldstudy functional skills

Where functional skills sit?

14-19 year oldsGCSEs/A levels

Functionality is included within the new GCSEs

The DiplomaEvery Diploma qualification includes all three functional skills at level 1 (Foundation Diploma), or level 2 (Higher or Advanced Diploma)

ApprenticeshipsFunctional skills will have replaced key skills within all apprenticeships

Foundation learningAll foundation learning programmes include functional skills at the level appropriate for the learner

Cont.

CurriculumKey stage 3 and 4 programmes of study

Key skills replacementFrom September 2010, key skills will cease to be available

Functional skills within the Diploma

Three models for delivering FS within the Diploma:As part of existing English, mathematics and ICT lessonsIncorporate all FS learning into the DiplomaDeliver FS separately

The Diploma has a focus on applied and practical learning making it an ideal vehicle for embedding and developing functional skills across a Diploma programmeThe functional skills support programme have produce guidance on developing each DiplomaQCDA and functional skills support programme have produced guidance on delivering functional skills within the Diploma

www.qcda.gov.ukwww.fssupport.org

Functional skills within Apprenticeships

Key skills will have been replaced within all apprenticeship frameworks by Sept’ 2010

All apprenticeship will include functional skills in English and mathematics, most will also include ICT

Functional skills will be at the level of the framework, or one level below.

Functional skills for adult learners

QCDA are piloting functional skills qualifications for adult learners

Subject to successful evaluation, functional skills will replace Skills for Life adult literacy and adult numeracy qualifications, from September 2012

BIS will make a final decision in Spring 2010

The functional skills pilot

First two yearsInform the development of qualifications and assessments

This yearMeasure impact of national roll-out on centres

Teaching and learning

Curriculum planning

Guidance requirements

Adult learnersAssessing suitability of functional skills for adult learners

Running the pilot

Independent evaluatorNFER’s contract taken over by Tribal in October ’09Evaluation runs throughout pilot into roll-outFinal report February 2011

Supporting pilot centresCase studiesCentre visitsEventsWeb

Timeline for implementation

Nov ’09Functional skills criteria published

Nov ’09 – Apr ’10AOs work with Ofqual and QCDA to develop specifications

Sept ’10Teaching begins

Apr ‘10Specifications available to centres

Apr ’10 – Sept ‘10Using specifications and support from FSSP, centres prepare to deliver functional skills

June – Aug ‘09Consultation on functional skills criteria

Information and support

Functional skills support programmewww.fssupport.org

QCDAwww.qcda.gov.uk/functionalskills

DCSF Main pilot

14-19 policy

11 pilot awarding organisations