TPM - Training Plus merseyside

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01/10/09

tpm lead debate on functional skills implementation at GMLPF Autumn Forum

Addressing the membership of the Greater Merseyside Learning Providers Federation, Paula Hayes, Quality Director at tpm gave an update on the requirements of functional skills for 2010. The Autumn forum took place at the Maritime and Engineering College North West on Thursday 01 October 2009. Paula outlined key differences between the flexibility of the current Key Skills qualifications and the new Functional Skills, due for launch in September 2010. The removal of proxy qualifications (GCSE equivalence in Maths and English) and a 6 week wait for paper-based exam results, exemplify the scope of the impact of the functional skills on learners and work-based learning and FE Colleges.

Having been involved in the Skills for Life Improvement Programme since 2005; tpm are currently in the third year of the Functional Skills Pilot with awarding body EDI. Encouraging providers to prepare for the challenges presented by the new Functional Skills Awards, Paula Hayes recommended that providers and their respective Awarding Bodies come together to gain clarity over the differing assessment requirements and confer on common concerns. These are likely to include how providers will manage the delivery of a more challenging curriculum for learners and the impact of de-coupling of the functional skills from the GCSE curriculum. This means there is no compulsory curriculum requirement in schools. This continued conference is anticipated for November.

The term ‘functional skills’ is used to describe the English, maths and ICT skills required by young people and adults for participation in life, learning and work. They will range from Entry level to level 2. Functional skills are central to the government’s reform of 14-19 and adult education, and the measure which government is taking to equip the UK with the skills it needs for the 21st century. In order to ensure that functional skills qualifications will be suitable for all those learners that will need to access them, QCDA began a three year pilot programme in September 2007.

The functional skills reforms have been developed to strengthen and bring consistency to learning routes for young people to ensure that they achieve a firm grounding in the basics of English, mathematics and ICT. Sector Skills Agencies such as HABIA, Council for Administration and Children's Workforce Development Council are responsible for deciding on whether ICT will feature in their respective occupational awards.

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