Skills for Life Qualifications

The term "Skills for Life" covers the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT).

National standards have been developed for adult literacy, adult numeracy and ICT, relating directly to the key skills of communication, application of number and ICT, and also matching the national curriculum requirements for English, mathematics and ICT.

EDI awards all of the following skills for life qualifications:

Key Skills (in England and Wales)

Communication levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
Application of Number levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
ICT levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
Working with Others levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
Problem Solving levels 1, 2, 3 and 4
Improving own Learning and Performance levels 1, 2, 3 and 4

Basic Skills (in England and Wales)

Adult Literacy at Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 and at Levels 1 and 2
Adult Numeracy at Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 and at Levels 1 and 2

Workplace Core Skills (in Scotland)

Communication at access 3, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 and higher
Numeracy at access 3, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 and higher
IT at access 3, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 and higher
Working with Others at access 3, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 and higher
Problem Solving at access 3, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 and higher

Functional Skills

Functional Skills qualifications have been developed in English, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Entry Level and Levels 1 and 2.  Currently undergoing pilots, Functional Skills will be available to all learners in England aged 14 and above from 2010.  They will be taught as standalone qualifications and will also be integrated within other programmes such as GCSEs, Diplomas and Apprenticeships.  It is expected that they will eventually replace Key Skills and Skills for Life.

Foundation Learning Tier

Foundation Learning Tier (FLT) is a programme of work which both QCA and the LSC are working on to develop the learning provision at entry level and level 1. The term is used to describe all qualifications at entry level and level 1, which are accredited on the QCF. Functional Skills are part of the Foundation Learning Tier. For further information, please read EDI's FLT factsheet.