Functional Skills are qualifications that have been developed by the UK Government as part of an initiative to improve the country's literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. They are replacing Key Skills qualifications from September 2010, and may also replace Basic Skills Adult Numeracy and Literacy qualifications.
Functional skills qualifications are:
They are also available as stand-alone qualifications.
Functional elements are also a part of new GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT and are included in key stage 3 and key stage 4 programmes of study.
The three-year functional skills pilot ended on August 31, 2010. All functional skills pilot qualifications have been withdrawn and the new accredited functional skills qualifications are now available for all learners.
Although several assessment models were piloted, the QCDA have approved assessment models that consist of internal assessment and moderation of entry level qualifications by the centre. Level 1 and Level 2 assessments are to be externally assessed and moderated, and carried out in exam conditions at the centre. Functional Skills English Speaking and Listening components will be internally assessed but externally moderated. In Functional Skills Mathematics assessments, candidates at all levels are allowed the use of a calculator. Functional Skills ICT assessments will require use of a computer with internet access.
Although the delivery of Functional Skills should be embedded into GCSE curriculums, a vocational programme or put in a relevant setting (to the learner) by using contextualised teaching materials, the assessments at Level 1 and level 2 will be neither embedded nor contextualised in any way. The entry level delivery and assessments should contain tasks that are intended to be familiar and routine problems or tasks, however to pass Functional Skills at Level 2 (i.e. to be considered fully functional in that subject) a learner must demonstrate mastery of the subject, and demonstrate acquisition of transferable skills (perhaps developed in a familiar context) and apply them in situations that are unfamiliar and non-routine.
Functional Skills Mathematics assessments will consist of mathematical problem solving and decision making using numbers, with tasks simulating the natural occurrence of numerical reasoning within real life contexts. Functional Skills English assessments will consist of speaking and listening, reading and writing tasks simulating the need for English language skills within real life contexts. Functional Skills ICT assessments will consist of tasks demanding independent use of all forms of ICT.
Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have no current intentions to introduce the qualifications.[1]
The Learning and Skills Council defines functional skills as "the skills needed to use basic English, maths and ICT in a range of practical settings".[2] The qualifications are being introduced as part of the government's Diploma qualifications and are a response to the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper.[3] The government intends that functional skills will eventually be required for all students whether studying for Diploma or GCSE qualifications.[4]