Explaining Functional Skills In Apprenticeships
Functional Skills are qualifications in English and maths, embedded within apprenticeships, ensuring learners develop practical skills in the workplace.
Functional Skills Requirements
For Apprentices Aged 16-18 At The Start Of The Programme:
- Level 2 Apprenticeships: Apprentices must achieve level 1 and attempt the Level 2 Functional Skills assessments in English and Maths if they haven’t already achieved a GCSE grade 4 (C) or higher.
- They do not need to pass the level 2 assessments to complete their apprenticeship.
- They must attempt the assessment as part of the apprenticeship funding rules.
- Level 3 Apprenticeships and Above: Apprentices must pass Level 2 Functional Skills if they have not already achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher.
- However, there is flexibility to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in English and maths, as an alternative to the standard Level 1 or 2 requirements, apprentices who have an existing or previously issued education, health and care (EHC) plan (or one of the legacy equivalents: a statement of special educational need (SEN) or a learning difficulty assessment (LDA)), or the provider ensures that a thorough and evidence-based assessment (which uses a combination of robust methods) of the individual apprentices’ learning difficulty or disability has been completed in a formal and structured manner by an appropriate professional (for example, the head of special education needs (SEN), or an equivalent individual with suitable knowledge and expertise) and a barrier has been identified.
For Apprentices Aged 19+ At The Start Of The Programme:
- Opting In: Apprentices aged 19+ have the option to opt in or opt out of Functional Skills in English and / or Maths, with employer agreement.
- If the apprentice opts in, they must undertake the assessments for the level they are working towards (e.g., Entry Level, Level 1, or Level 2). They can still complete their apprenticeship by proceeding directly to their End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to pass Functional Skills assessments.
- If the apprentice chooses not to opt in, they will complete their apprenticeship by proceeding directly to their End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to upskill in maths and/ or English or pass Functional Skills assessments.
Flexibility With Functional Skills Levels:
- Apprentices now have the option to start Functional Skills to enable upskilling in maths and/ or English at any level based on their current skills. Whether they begin at Entry Level 3, Level 1, or Level 2, the training will be funded.
- This allows apprentices to progress at their own pace and work towards the level they need for their apprenticeship, future career / education progression or individual needs.
Key Points For Employers
- Joint Agreement: The decision to opt in or out of Functional Skills should be a joint agreement between the learner and employer. Both parties should agree on whether to pursue Functional Skills and at what level, considering the apprentice’s individual needs and career progression.
- Encourage apprentices to engage with maths and/ or English upskilling through Functional Skills, especially those starting at Entry Level 3, as it will support their long-term career success, education progression and personal development.
- Support apprentices in making an informed decision about whether to opt in or opt out of Functional Skills, based on their individual needs and career progression goals.
- Apprentices can upskill and take Functional Skills at any level, and all levels are funded, allowing for a tailored approach to learning and development.
Next Steps - Exploring Apprenticeships
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