Sub-Navigation
Functional skills
Last updated: 25 February 2010
Welcome to the functional skills section of the QCDA website
Functional skills are practical skills in English, information and communication technology (ICT) and mathematics that allow individuals to work confidently, effectively and independently in life.
Latest on functional skills from QCDA
Free guide to functional skills – out today in SecEd
Included with 25th February edition of SecEd is a QCDA-sponsored supplement on functional skills and their position within the four qualification pathways for 14-19 year-olds – Apprenticeships, Diplomas, GCSEs and Foundation Learning. This free booklet guides readers through the need-to-know areas of functional skills, including case studies, interviews and practical advice. To get hold of your copy, look inside the SecEd, which is sent to every school, or visit www.sec-ed.co.uk
Functional skills in action - four new films launched
We've launching four short films on functional skills . These films look at some of the ways that pilot centres have been approaching delivery of functional skills within the 14-19 qualification pathways - GCSEs, Diploma, Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning. The films have been launched on the SecEd website, to coincide with the QCDA-sponsored functional skills supplement.
Factsheet on transition arrangements now available
We've now produced a factsheet on the transition arrangements for functional skills. The factsheet covers everything you should need to know about the transition from the pilot, to the national implementation.
Sir Alan Jones discusses functional skills
Sir Alan Jones, Chairman Emeritus of Toyota UK and Chairman of Semta discusses functional skills and the benefits they have the potential to bring to the UK and its employers.
Functional skills pilot pack now available online
The functional skills pilot pack, for centres taking part in the 2009/10 year of the functional skills pilot is now available for download online.
2009/10 functional skills pilot pack
Ofqual publish functional skills criteria
Following a consultation held over the summer by QCDA, Ofqual have now published the regulatory criteria for the non-pilot functional skills qualifications. The publication of the criteria is a key stage in the development the non-pilot qualifications, on which teaching begins in September 2010. Awarding organisations will now use the criteria to develop their qualifications for accreditation in spring 2010.
QCDA have published guidance for awarding organisations preparing functional skills qualifications.
Ofqual functional skills criteria
QCDA publish functional skills toolkit for exams office staff
A new toolkit for exams office staff administering functional skills qualifications is now available. The toolkit includes a checklist of activities for the exams office, an overview of awarding organisations on the pilot, case studies, a user guide to acquiring unique learner numbers through the MIAP service, and much more.