Functional skills is a new type of qualification being developed as part of the Government’s reforms of 14-19 and adult education in England. The three functional skills – English, Mathematics and ICT – will recognise and develop the essential literacy, numeracy and ICT skills necessary to ‘function’ in work, learning and life.

What's different about functional skills?
Functional skills aims to reach a much broader range of learners than the current key skills and adult numeracy/literacy qualifications.

• learners undertaking the new 14-19 Diplomas will have to complete all three functional skills as part of their principal learning
• functional skills will be a compulsory part of GCSE English, Mathematics and ICT programmes, with level 2 in the relevant functional skill likely to become pre-requisite for achieving Grade C or higher
• functional skills will eventually replace the current key skills requirement in apprenticeships
• functional skills are expected to become the achievement measure for the 2020 World Class Skills literacy and numeracy targets (successor to the 2010 Skills for Life targets).

It is estimated that there will eventually be over 2 million learners completing one or more functional skills awards each year.

When will functional skills be available?
Functional skills awards are currently being piloted by a number of awarding bodies, including City & Guilds.

The full roll-out will be from September 2010 – when the key skills, adult numeracy/literacy and ICT Skills for Life qualifications are expected to close to new registrations.

Will functional skills be available everywhere?
At the moment, functional skills awards are only being developed for implementation in England, although they may affect the structure and content of GCSEs in Northern Ireland and Wales. The devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are each pursuing separate but similar strategies for improving literacy, numeracy and ICT.

How do I find out more in the meantime?
Throughout the pilot, City & Guilds will be keeping you up to date with the development of these new qualifications; how they are shaping up as well as what’s likely to change (and stay the same) after 2010. You can also access our monthly functional skills newsletter.

How can I obtain the functional skills standards?
Standards can be downloaded from the QCA website.

Is there more information about City & Guilds’ functional skills pilot?
Get the lowdown about the Functional Skills pilot by visiting the qualification pages.