Functional Skills
Functional Skills are qualifications in Maths and English that teach how to apply practical Maths and English skills to real-life and vocational contexts.
Functional Skills are required if you want to start an apprenticeship or to access other progression opportunities.
Why Functional Skills?
Functional Skills are gateway qualification and alternative option for people who may have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4/ C above in Maths and English. They provide people of all education levels with accessible skills to improve reading, writing and communications, allow a better understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts – due to this they are one of the most popular qualifications taken by adult learners.
Functional Skills are recognised qualifications and can open up progression opportunities including apprenticeships and in higher education.
Functional skill delivery are free of charge – they are funded by the government for people who do not have Level 2 Functional Skills or equivalent qualifications such as GCSEs.
The level of Functional Skills
Functional Skills are available in the following levels – each level is accessed separately and independently:
Entry level 1, 2 & 3 - below GCSE
Level 1 – equivalent to GCSE 3-1 in the new system / grade D-G in the old system
Level 2 – equivalent to GCSE 9-4 / grade C and above in the old system+
If you have international qualifications please see the additional information section below for guidance.
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How to get your Functional Skills Qualification
If you are looking to get your Functional Skills qualification the NCL Training hub can signpost you to the most appropriate provider depending on your learning needs.
The first step would be to establish your current level of Functional Skills - the NCL Training Hub can support with this by giving you access to an online platform called BKSBLIVE2 where you can complete an initial and diagnostic assessment, which advises your level of Functional Skills. You can request this via the button below.
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Different methods of functional skills delivery:
Supported Learning & Tutor-Led Learning via Local Colleges and Adult Community Learning
If you feel that you would need/prefer some tutor support in gaining your Functional Skills, the Training Hub can signpost you to a training provider that provide tutor-led guidance with online or face-to-face courses. Each provider delivers Functional Skills in a slightly different way so it’s important to choose the correct method and style of teaching to match your learning needs.
Most colleges and adult community learning providers offer fast track option for learners who just need a refresh before taking exams.
Upskilling/Self Learning:
You may feel you would like to improve your Functional Skills in general without taking the qualifications. If that is the case the NCL Training Hub would suggest using the BKSB platform. Upon completing the diagnostic assessment on the platform, you will be provided with guidance on which areas you may want to focus on developing. You are also able to use the BKSB platform as a secondary learning resource when taking a Functional Skills course.
Please see information about some Functional Skills providers below:
Haringey Learns is Haringey’s lifelong learning service for people aged 19 and over.
They are known for friendly, welcoming staff, skilled and passionate tutors and the close, supportive working relationships learners make with each other on courses. Feedback from learners is immensely positive. Mostly, they say Haringey Learns feels like a community where they achieve things they thought they’d never be able to.
Class sizes are relatively small, so it can be ensured that each learner gets individual attention and support. The service runs courses onsite/online (depending on outcome of initial discussion) and is open to anyone over the age of 19 (NB You do not necessarily have to be a Haringey resident).
Access Haringey Learns courses via the link below:
If you are living in London (please see the below list for eligible boroughs) and are over the age of 19, you may be eligible for Intech Centre’s funded Functional Skills courses in Maths and English. These course packages include access to online self-learning which gives you all the content you need to pass your exam. Not only do you receive access to the exam and the course for free, you will also have access to one-to-one tutor support. Your tutor can help you discover strategies to find the area of a shape or help you work on your spelling.
Please click here to access their website with information on their funded courses and make an enquiry
Eligible Boroughs:
Barnet
Camden
Enfield
Haringey
Islington
City & Hackney
Kingston
Lambeth
Lewisham
Southwark
Tower Hamlets
Wandsworth
Westminster
Barking & Dagenham
Bexley
Bromley
Greenwich
Havering
Newham
Redbridge
Waltham Forest
Many local colleges offer free functional skills courses.
Please click here to find local colleges and look into the functional skills courses they provide.
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Additional Information
If you have international qualifications, you can use the London NHSE ENIC service to compare your qualifications to the UK education system, equivalent UK qualifications and frameworks. ENIC is the UK national information centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills.
The London NHSE ENIC service is free for existing NHS employees in the region, who are applying for an apprenticeship or other qualifications as part of their role in the NHS. If you are an NHS employee and would like further details of how to access the service or any other queries about functional skills, please contact the NCL Training Hub Apprenticeship team to request support.
Please see below some useful links with further information about functional skills:
If you have further questions please get in touch with the Primary Care Anchor Networks & Apprenticeship Project Manager - Losarina Kelly.