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 - will recognise and develop the essential literacy, numeracy and ICT skills necessary to 'function' in work, learning and life.

All active Key Skills (3638) and pilot Functional Skills (3648) centres will have automatic approval for 3748. Centres will not need to do anything to get approval.

If your centre is not one of the above but are approved for Adult Numeracy/Literacy (3792), ESOL Skills for Life (3692) and ICT Skills for Life (3804) you will need to complete a fast track form.  This form needs to be sent to a regional office.

Other centres will need to complete a qualification approval (QAP) form.

Reasons to choose City & Guilds for Functional Skills

• Topics that engage learners
• Robust feedback on candidates performance so you know exactly what they need to improve
• 11 monthly paper based test series from October 2010 for level 1 and 2
• On demand entry level
• On demand, on screen assessments (in addition to paper based) at Levels 1 and 2 English reading and writing
• Level 1 and 2 ICT and Mathematics on screen testing to follow
• On screen English example assessments now providing you with the ability to print and review your candidate's answers
• Other example assessments are below
• Learning and support materials available on SmartScreen (free for all functional skills centres)
• Access to expert support via SmartScreen (free for all functional skills centres)

Functional Skills support from City & Guilds

• Discuss Functional Skills with peers and access expert advice on our SmartScreen forum (free for all functional skills centres)
• Frequently asked questions 
• For regular Functional Skills updates please also ensure that you sign up to 'Focus' (click on the General Learning option)
• Online teaching and learning materials, examples assessments and candidate work at http://www.smartscreen.co.uk/
• Regional office support

Functional Skills from September 2010

Below is an outline of how this will run from September 2010.  There are also example assessments.  These assessments cannot be used as live assessment material.