Functional Skills Qualification

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 Level 1 and 2 qualifications from September 2012; in the short-term Entry Level Key Skills will remain as there is no current replacement – this is still in review.

Functional skills qualifications are now integral in:

Functional Skills are also available as stand-alone qualifications.

A three-year Functional Skills pilot ended on 31 August 2010. All pilot qualifications have been withdrawn and the new accredited functional skills qualifications are now available for all learners.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.