Functional Skills for FE

News from BIS has finally confirmed that Functional Skills will be fully funded and will replace Adult Basic Skills from August 2012.

“BIS wrote to Awarding Organisations in January 2011 to confirm that it will no longer be funding the centrally held test bank which supports Adult Basic Skills (ABS) qualifications and Key Skills Communication and Application of Number qualifications at Levels 1 and 2. Ofqual has confirmed that the operational end-dates of these qualifications mean that no new enrolments will be taken beyond August 2012 for ABS Certificates and September 2012 for Key Skills qualifications. The certification end-dates are August 2014 and September 2013 respectively”

BIS said the following about Entry Level:

“It is expected that providers will offer either Functional English and Maths qualifications at entry level or whatever new qualifications are available that provide a coherent progression pathway for learners from entry level upwards.”

This Government is also committed to adults progressing towards GCSE. In the section about funding the statement read:

“We will fund GCSE English and Maths qualifications for adults from August 2012. Functional English and Maths qualifications from Entry level up to and including Level 2 will also be funded.”

For more information please see the Skills Funding Agency website (external link).