Functional Skills

What are Functional Skills?

Introduced this September, Functional Skills have replaced Key Skills. The core elements are English (comprising of reading, writing, speaking and listening), mathematics, and information and communication technology (ICT). These elements provide the essential knowledge, skills and understanding needed to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work. Functional Skills are available from foundation up to level 2, and relate to diplomas and Apprenticeships. Learners are required to pass end tests in each subject with ‘embedded’ and ‘contextualised’ themes.

Why is City College Plymouth introducing them?

Employers and educators have identified these skills as vital for enabling young people and adults to have the practical skills to succeed in further learning, employment and life in modern society.

What are the benefits of Functional Skills?

For young people and adult students - Functional Skills develop the practical applied skills needed for success in work, in further learning and in life.

For employers - the introduction of Functional Skills will help ensure there are more prospective employees who can practically apply these skills in work situations, helping to improve productivity.

For higher education students - improved skills in communication, ICT and mathematics will help students entering higher education to tackle their areas of study more confidently.

The examples below have been developed to help you understand how students will benefit from achieving their Functional Skills qualifications, and demonstrate how they can apply them in real-life situations.

English, level 1 - utilising these skills

• A student moving to a new flat is able to contact and inform the bank of a change of address, appropriately, either in person, over the telephone or in writing.

• Having prepared in advance, an administrator in an insurance company is able to benefit from a meeting with her line manager about general performance. She is able to identify and articulate her personal strengths and areas where she needs more support. She has read the company’s human resources information board and identified training courses that are available that will help her to progress in her role. She shares the details of these with her manager, who agrees that she should book onto the courses.

Mathematics, level 2 - utilising these skills

• A student planning her transition to further or higher education is able to research and make informed judgements about various banking products available. Reviewing competitive packages, including joining offers, different interest rates, financial charges and savings benefits, the student is able to calculate the most suitable, best value product for their lifestyle. Tailoring personal banking to meet their needs, the student can begin to experience the excitement of being a self-determining young adult.

• A contract builder is able to plan for the week ahead before purchasing the supplies he will need for various tasks. He measures the area of the bathroom he needs to tile, as well as the size of the tiles his client has chosen. From these figures he is able to calculate the total surface area and the approximate number of tiles he will need to complete the job. Examining the recommended materials for the adhesive and grouting, he is also able to calculate the quantity required per tile to establish all the products he will need to purchase at the hardware store.

ICT, level 2 - utilising these skills

• Students are able to create and use a simple questionnaire to obtain views on healthy eating and input the data into a spreadsheet. They can analyse the information, create representative charts and compose a presentation on their findings for a science class.

• A self-employed boiler service engineer is able to set up a database of customers, with names, addresses and job details, so that a mailing can be sent to remind clients of boiler maintenance and to ensure that all jobs undertaken are accurately recorded.

As you can see, Functional Skills will enable students to secure skills in English, mathematics and ICT, and provide them with more confidence enabling them to be more independent in their own lives. For employers, Functional Skills will enable you to have a more flexible and productive workforce.

Where can I find more information?

For more information visit the Functional Skills Support Programme website - www.fssupport.org, or call the College on 01752 305300.