About Functional Skills

What are functional skills?

'Functional skills will provide individuals with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.'

Functional skills are practical skills that equip learners with the necessary knowledge and understanding to use and apply English, Mathematics and ICT in everyday life, so they can get the most out of work and education. For example, they help us recognise good-value deals when making purchases, write an effective application letter, or use the internet.

Functional skills are a key to success. They open doors to learning, to life and to work. These skills are valued by employers and further education and are a platform on which to build other employability skills. Better functional skills can mean a better future - as learners or as employees.

What are functional skills qualifications?

Functional skills qualifications in English, Mathematics and ICT are available at Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3, level 1 and level 2. 

The skills criteria for functional skills qualifications specify assessment outcomes for qualifications at each level in terms of skill standards, coverage and range. 

Each of the three skills has a set of performance standards based on three key areas:

1. Mathematics
   • Representing - selecting the mathematics and information required to model a situation
   • Analysing - processing and using mathematics
   • Interpreting and communicating the results of the analysis
2. ICT
   • Use of ICT systems
   • Finding and selecting information
   • Developing, presenting and communicating information
3. English
   • Speaking and listening
   • Reading
   • Writing

Functional skills build upon the success of learners, benefiting them in a number of different areas:

In higher education - Competence in the core skills supports student progression and develops students' capacity for independent learning.

At work - Employees who gain functional skills are able to make a positive contribution to the workplace, with practical experience of teamwork and the presentation and assessment of ideas.

At home - Running a home and bringing up a family can be a challenge for anyone. Functional skills help learners to access the range of services available to them.

In the community - Functional skills will enable learners to develop and secure the broader range of aptitudes, attitudes and behaviors that will enable them to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work.

The achievement and attainment tables (AAT) points allocation for functional skills qualifications is as follows:

Useful websites for Functional Skills Resources :

• www.edexcel.com/quals/func-skills/Pages/default.aspx
• www.guroo.co.uk
• www.fssupport.org
• www.excellencegateway.org.uk
• www.qcda.gov.uk
• www.sfldc.org/fs