APPRENTICESHIPS
From September
2010, the Key Skills
component of
Apprenticeships is being
replaced by Functional
Skills, which students
have to pass if they
are to complete their
Apprenticeship
T
he framework for Apprenticeships
currently includes a number of
components, including vocational
competence qualifications, a technical
certificate, and Key Skills.
From September 2010, however, Key
Skills will be replaced with Functional Skills
qualifications.
It means that students working towards
Greater
a Level 2 Apprenticeship will have to
include Functional Skills in English and
mathematics at a minimum of Level 1. For
Level 3 Apprenticeships, they must achieve
Functional Skills at Level 2 in mathematics
and English.
Students must pass Functional Skills tests
flexibility
if they are to be deemed to have completed
their Apprenticeship.
Functional Skills will contain more
practical applications than Key Skills, and the
changes were made after it emerged that even “This made up about 25 per cent of However, this will allow the learner to apply
where apprentices had good numeracy and assessment and the rest was an on-going the skills in alternative environments.
literacy skills, they did not necessarily know portfolio which the learners built up. The Elsewhere, one interesting element
how to apply them. tests looked at the acquisition of knowledge with this learning pathway is that ICT is
Terry Smith, skills for life and adult of skills, and the portfolio tested the not necessarily a requirement within the
Functional Skills advisor at the QCDA, said: application of them. Apprenticeships framework (unless this is
“The difference is in the way that Functional “However, since Functional Skills require relevant to the sector or occupation being
Skills are assessed in application and no portfolio, they will enable greater studied by the learner) and there has been
problem-solving. Key Skills were assessed flexibility for delivery methods and shift the flexibility to date over the inclusion of ICT in
through tests that were centrally devised emphasis from producing a set piece of work the framework.
by the QCDA and distributed to awarding to the ability to solve problems. The BIS spokesman said: “If ICT is not
bodies, which put their stamp on them. “The challenge now is how to embed directly relevant to the occupation or sector,
Functional Skills into teaching and learning then it does not have to be included.
and many centres and providers are currently “However, we will be reviewing the
thinking about how to do that.” situation this year, and looking into the likely
‘
Since Functional Skills
In Apprenticeships, Functional Skills are impact of ICT being mandatory in Functional
require no portfolio,
taught through a variety of methods. Skills within all frameworks.
For example, an Apprenticeship relating to “Some argue ICT should not be a
travel and tourism may use real-life situations requirement, but equally one could say
they will enable
about baggage allowances in mathematics, that most occupations and industries now
and how these should be calculated on an have some interaction with ICT, albeit not
greater fl exibility for
aircraft. necessarily at a significantly high level.”
However, the assessment of Functional He added that any changes towards
delivery methods and
Skills in Apprenticeships is set as a standard mandatory ICT would be unlikely to be
and is not contextualised by industry. brought in before 2016.
shift the emphasis
A spokesman for the Department for Apprenticeships tend to be done over an
Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), said: average of two years, but some last between
“Functional Skills are standard qualifications a year and 18 months, and others more than
from producing a
so they are not linked to particular sectors.” three years.
One particular challenge for If an Apprenticeship carries a minimum of
set piece of work to
Apprenticeships is that many providers have 37 credits on the Qualifications and Credit
developed vocationally specific portfolios Framework, then Functional Skills should
solving problems
and these will be replaced by an examination make up about 10 of those credits, which is
of application in a more generic context.
10 SecEd
10-11.indd 1
’
close to a quarter of the total.
19/2/10 16:28:38
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