Functional skills is a new type of qualification being developed as part of the Government's reforms of 14-19 and adult education in England. The three functional skills - English, Mathematics and ICT - recognise and develop the essential literacy, numeracy and ICT skills necessary to 'function' in work, learning and life. 

What's different about functional skills?

Functional skills aims to reach a much broader range of learners than the current key skills and adult numeracy/literacy qualifications.

• learners undertaking the new 14-19 Diplomas have to complete all three functional skills
• functional skills will be a compulsory part of GCSE English, Mathematics and ICT programmes
• functional skills will replace the current key skills requirement in apprenticeships
• functional skills achievements count towards 2020 World Class Skills literacy and numeracy targets (and the Functional Skills awards are expected to replace the current adult numeracy/literacy Skills for Life qualifications).

Find out more about the differences between key skills and functional skills.

Want to find out more?

• Read our frequently asked questions.
• Read a case study from Oldham College.
• Have a look at our presentation about Functional Skills
• Sign up to receive Functional Skills news - our monthly newsletter with all the latest news about the Functional Skills qualifications.
  (NB: if you're the main contact at a City & Guilds centre involved in the functional skills pilot you can also sign up for our monthly e-Bulletin)
• Have a look at our example assessments for English, Maths and ICT. These follow the same format as the live assessments currently being piloted.
• To find out about proxies and exemptions for Functional Skills go to http://www.qcda.gov.uk/news/6084.aspx

Getting involved in the pilot

You can get involved in the pilot if you are:

• registering learners for the Diploma from September 2009
• offering the advanced Diploma in September 2010
• participating in the foundation learning tier (FLT) pilot
• a further education college or training provider that can offer apprenticeships
• a centre or provider with contracts offering learning in the custodial sector or probation service
• a centre or provider of adult education

We are also looking for centres to participate in the adult suitability strand of pilot.  Please contact us if you would like more information about this.

Fill in a fast track approval form if you already offer with City & Guilds:

• Key Skills qualifications (3638-01)
• Entry Level Certificate in Adult Numeracy (3792-01)
• Entry Level Certificate in Adult Literacy (3792-02)
• Entry Level Certificate in ICT Skills for Life (3804)

If you are an approved City & Guilds centre but not offering any of the above qualifications with City & Guilds then you'll need to complete a Qualification Approval Form (QAP).

Functional Skills tutor forum

We've recently launched a free of charge Functional Skills tutor forum on our online portal SmartScreen. The forum will be available for all City & Guilds centres and will allow you to:

• discuss issues, share information and good practice relating to functional skills with the thousands of other tutors that visit SmartScreen
• have access to a functional skills expert to ask questions and receive a quick response
• build up an invaluable and constantly growing bank of questions, answers, activities and knowledge
• seek and utilise feedback on an ongoing basis.

Find out how to gain access to the forum and related resources.

You do not have to be a SmartScreen subscriber in order to gain access.  Once you have joined the forum, you can post new topics for discussion or reply to existing topics.

Other support available

The criteria can be found on Ofquals website.

QCA's functional skills site.

If you're offering Functional Skills qualifications with City & Guilds, our Functional Skills qualification handbook is essential reading.

Information about the Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP) can be accessed from the dedicated website.