Please note the college will only contact applicants when a place becomes available, this can take up to six months if classes are full and there is a large waiting list. The college operates on a roll on roll off enrolment, this means that when someone completes functional skills and a place becomes available the next person on the list is offered a place.

If you are looking to start functional skills sooner than can be supported by the Trust please visit the Alternative Functional Skills Provision section below 

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 be considered for an apprenticeship will need to complete functional skills in English and maths. If these qualifications have not already been gained or proof or these qualifications cannot be obtained. 

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. 

  • 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

 

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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/

  1. Complete a CPD Application Form and submit electronically for approval.
    • When completing the CPD Application form please ignore the course lenght and provider.  The apprenticeship team will complete this on your behalf.  
    • The Form will also ask for a date, please enter the 1st of the following month from you application.  This will not be your start date as this will be dictated by the provider.  Inorder for the for to submit a date is required.  
  2. Once a CPD application is approved by your manager you will be contacted by the apprenticeship team to complete a provider enrolment form apprenticeships@merseycare.nhs.uk 
  3. Referrals for the courses are made monthly to the provider once sufficient numbers are in place for a cohort, enrolements will start.  
  4. Once referral forms have been sent by the trust to the provider  The provider will contact applicants directly and arrange for initial assessment, confirmation of course level and start date.

On site Functional Skills September 2024

There will be weekly functional skills classes of English & Maths held in the Indigo Building on the Maghull Health Park. Managers approval is required for anyone wishing to take up this opportunity.  Further updates about day and time of classes will be added early September. Expressions of interest form can be found here https://forms.office.com/e/c4f4LRMKQu

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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. 

Individuals looking to undertake functional skills will need to complete a CPD application form. This application requires the signature (Approval) or decline from the named line manager.  This manager will receive an email from NoReplySharePoint@merseycare.nhs.uk. 

If the manager does not sign to either approve or decline the request there will be no further reminders or notifications. It is the applicant's responsibility to investigate if they have not received a response from CPD within 4 weeks.     

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

 

If you are looking to start Functional Skills sooner than can be accommodated by the Trust.   

You can apply directly to 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.

For any further information about Functional Skills please contact: apprenticeships@merseycare.nhs.uk