What are functional skills?
English and maths skills are an essential part of any apprenticeship course of study. These subjects can be developed through Functional Skills which are recognised as a direct equivalent to a traditional GCSE qualification.
Individuals who wish to undertake an apprenticeship may be required to complete Functional Skills in English and/or maths if they do not already hold these qualifications or are unable to provide evidence of them.
Developing English and maths skills as part of the curriculum is important. It means that young people and adults entering HE are more able to immediately focus on their course and cope with what comes their way.
I don't have functional skill qualifications, how can I get them?
Functional skills can be studied through several partner organisations that Mersey Care works with to assist individual to gain the relevant qualification to progress through or onto an apprenticeship programme.
These courses are usually free of charge to colleagues within the Trust who wish to progress onto further study through the apprenticeships.
There are several apprenticeships that require functionals skills to be in place prior to commencement on a course.
- All non-integrated and Integrated Undergraduate and Post graduate Degree Level Apprenticeships (Level 5 – 7)
To ensure that widening participation can take place within apprenticeships lower-level courses usually allow individuals to complete function skills maths and English while on Programme.
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Entry and intermediate Apprenticeships (Levels 2-4) *This is subject to provider approval and is subject to change based on course delivery method and course content*.
I have functional skills or GCSE, but I don't have my certificates?
You cannot get a replacement certificate for an O level, CSE, GCSE or A level - your exam board will send you a ‘certified statement of results’ instead. You can use this in place of your exam certificate, for example for a university application.
Boards may give you a replacement certificate for other qualifications they offer.
You may need to prove your identity and pay a fee.
Visit - Get a replacement exam certificate: Who to contact - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Resources and training
You can apply for Functional Skills directly through your local college, however, if you do the trust will not be able to support time off for study so you will need to attend classes in your own time.
Local Colleges offering functional skills classes:
- Riverside College: https://www.riversidecollege.ac.uk/
- Hugh Baird College: https://www.hughbaird.ac.uk/
- Knowsley College: https://www.knowsleycollege.ac.uk/adult-courses/
- St Helens College: https://www.sthelens.ac.uk/
- Southport College: https://www.southport.ac.uk/
- Warrington & Vale College: https://wvr.ac.uk/
- Priestley College: https://www.priestley.ac.uk/
- Wigan & Leigh College: https://www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/subject/maths-english/
If you are looking to improve your maths skills or prepare for a functional skills exam, you can sign up the National Numeracy Challenge which will give access to lots of free resources that will help you. The National Numeracy Challenge is an a free online learning tool that will help you to improve your everyday maths skills in easy manageable steps. https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/challenge/
What can Managers Expect from Supporting people through functional skills?
Q: What do I need to do?
A: A discussion should be had with the individual looking to undertake functional skills for you as a manager to understand the needs of the person and how studying functional skills can be accommodated within the service.
Q: How will this affect services?
A: For many people who are looking to progress their education and career prospects, it can be Maths and English that is often a roadblock for them. By enabling people to undertake functional skills, you can empower people to not only achieve a personal milestone but, your support can change someone’s career prospects exponentially, and enhance the potential retention of that individual.
Students will be required to attend either a face-to-face or online class, once a week for 12-16 weeks, per subject depending on the progression of the individual across the course. This time out of service can fluctuate from provider to provider. However, this will be planned out at the start of the course so this can be planned for in advance.
Q: How long is the course?
A: Students will be required to attend either face-to-face or online classes, once a week for 12-16 weeks, per subject depending on the progression of the individual across the course.
This time out can fluctuate from provider to provider. However, this will be planned out at the start of the course so this can be planned for in advance.
Q: What happens when someone has completed?
A: Completion of functional skills is a fundamental entry requirement for Higher Level Apprenticeship such as Nurse Associate, AHP & Nurse Degree and Management Apprenticeships. One passing functional skills this opens up further opportunities for progression and education.
The individual will receive notification of if they have passed their exam within 2-3 weeks following their exam. Completion/ Achievement certificates will be either delivered to the individual's home address or they will be required to retrieve these from the provider.
The Trust will not be notified of anyone's results and will not hold or receive anyone's certificates of completion/achievement.
For any further information about Functional Skills please contact: apprenticeships@merseycare.nhs.uk