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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