Functional Skills Qualification
Functional Skills are qualifications being developed by the UK Government as part of an initiative to improve the country's literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. It is seen as a spin-off from the Basic Skills and Key Skills that are currently offered as an Adult based qualification, however there will be no requirement to complete a portfolio any longer and learners will just be required to pass tests with "embedded" and "contextualised" themes.
The functional skills qualifications are currently being piloted in England only. Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have no current intentions to introduce the qualifications.[1]
The Learning and Skills Council defines functional skills as "the skills needed to use basic English, maths and ICT in a range of practical settings".[2] The qualifications are being introduced as part of the government's Diploma qualifications and are a response to the 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper.[3] The government intends that functional skills will eventually be required for all students whether studying for Diploma or GCSE qualifications.[4]
References
- ^ "What about other countries? - Functional skills". Functional Skills 4U. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
- ^ "Learning and Skills Council - Jargon buster - Functional skills". Learning and Skills Council. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
- ^ "Edexcel - Qualification Developments: Diplomas: What is the Diploma?: Functional Skills". Edexcel. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
- ^ "Diplomas pose basic skills hurdle". BBC News. BBC. 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
 | This article relating to education in the UK is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |