Welcome to Functional Skills from EDI.
In this section we will provide you with information about Functional Skills qualifications.
There are EDI practice assessments for you to trial, FAQs, and links to other useful sites.
What are Functional Skills?
Functional Skills are a key element of the 14-19 reforms and comprise practical skills in English, Mathematics and ICT. These qualifications are suitable for learners of all ages, providing them with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.
People who possess the skills assessed by Functional Skills will be able to participate and progress in education, training and employment. They will also be able to develop and secure the broader range of aptitudes, attitudes and behaviours that will enable them to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work.
Functional Skills in English, Mathematics and ICT are available at Entry Levels 1, 2, 3 and at Level 1 and Level 2. From September 2012 they will replace the Basic Skills of Literacy and Numeracy and the Key Skills of Communication, Application of Number and Information and Communication Technology at the relevant levels.
Functional Skills relate to England only. The UK equivalents are Essential Skills Wales, Core Skills in Scotland and Essential Skills in Northern Ireland.
Did you know? There are relaxation rules affecting the use of Functional Skills within Apprenticeships
- John Hayes, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, announced that Key Skills will be extended until 31 August 2012 for use in Apprenticeship frameworks. This gives learners in England the flexibility to do either Functional Skills or Key Skills within Apprenticeships.
- Learners who have already achieved Key Skills at the relevant level appropriate to the qualification they are taking, regardless of the programme through which it was originally gained, will be exempt from Functional Skills qualifications deemed as a mandatory element of their current qualification.
- Learners with GCSE A*-C grade in one or all of the GCSEs English, Mathematics and ICT are also exempt from Functional Skills qualifications deemed as a mandatory element of other programmes of learning.
Click here to view the Functional Skills assessment model
For further advice or information on Functional Skills please contact our Customer Enquiries team on 08707 202909 or email enquiries@ediplc.com.
