What Are Functional Skills? Functional Skills Levels Explained

Functional skills have become an essential requirement for apprenticeships, entry level jobs, and universities. But what are functional skills, and what different levels are there? 

In secondary schools, some key subjects that are compulsory for you to study include English, Maths, and ICT. These are otherwise known as functional skills, demonstrating to employers and universities that you have a surface level understanding in basic English speaking and listening, numeracy skills, as well as some understanding of IT. In this article, we will discuss further the importance of functional skills, highlighting why these qualifications are essential in today’s competitive job market industry; from essential literacy and numeracy to critical thinking, learn how mastering functional skills can provide significant advantages in education, employment, and more. 

Key Points:

What Are Functional Skill Qualifications?

Functional skills are structured across several levels to cater to different learning stages and specific individual needs:

• Entry Level 1-3: For beginners, establishing foundational skills.
• Level 1: Corresponds to GCSE grades 1-3, building on basic knowledge.
• Level 2: Equivalent to a GCSE grade 4, providing a more advanced understanding.

After acquiring a functional skills qualification at one level, learners can progress to the next. These qualifications prepare learners not just for further academic pursuits but also for immediate entry into the workplace or vocational training. 

Unlike traditional qualifications, functional skills are assessed through practical exams rather than coursework, reinforcing how sometimes practical experience beats theoretical experience.

Flexibility and Accessibility of Learning Functional Skills

One of the significant advantages of functional skills courses is their flexibility. Learners can pursue these qualifications through various institutions such as:

• Schools and sixth-form colleges
• Further education providers e.g., City & Guilds, NCFE CACHE, etc.
• Private colleges and skills providers
• Pupil Referral Units and offender learning establishments

Similar to online learning courses, teaching methods for functional skills are widely adaptable, including full-time, part-time, evening, and distance learning options, ensuring that individuals can study in a manner that best suits their schedules and life commitments; especially suitable for those worried about working and studying at the same time.

Why Functional Skills Matter

The importance of functional skills cannot be overstated—they equip learners with the necessary tools and knowledge that they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond. 

Recent updates to these qualifications have focused more on practical experience, like improved literacy and numeracy skills without overreliance on aids such as calculators and dictionaries. These changes aim to boost confidence and independence, preparing learners for real-life challenges.

Accessing Functional Skills Qualifications

Unlike traditional GCSEs, which are typically offered only twice a year, functional skills qualifications can be taken at any time. This flexibility ensures that whether you’re advancing in your career or continuing your education, you can find a testing time that suits your schedule.

These qualifications cater especially to those who need a more adaptable learning path, such as adult learners or those with tight schedules. You can take these exams online, providing the convenience of studying from home or another chosen study environment, thus removing the barrier of having to travel to an exam centre.

Functional Skills in Maths

Functional skills maths is critical as it equips learners with practical mathematical skills necessary in everyday life, work, and further education. Offered at Level 1 and Level 2, (with Level 2 being equivalent to a GCSE grade 4), these courses are structured to provide a thorough foundation in mathematical skills.

The exams will likely cover various aspects:

• Using Numbers and the Number System: Skills include reading, writing, ordering, and comparing numbers up to 20.
• Common Measures, Shape, and Space: This section focuses on practical applications such as recognising money, reading clocks, understanding calendars, and describing dimensions and shapes.
• Handling Information and Data: Learners gain skills in reading and interpreting data from different sources, an invaluable skill in the digital age.

Each course module includes:

• Revision: Interactive materials and videos that clarify various concepts.
• Practice Questions: These are designed to test comprehension and application of the material in various difficulties.
• Topic Tests: These simulate actual exam conditions and help consolidate learning through more formal assessments.

Our non-vocational courses are structured to ensure that learners not only prepare effectively for their exams but also build confidence in their practical mathematical abilities. These courses are supplemented with abundant resources, including mock exams, to aid in preparation.

Why Choose Functional Skills in Maths?

By engaging with functional skills maths, learners can improve their quantitative reasoning, which is vital in many professional fields and everyday life. The skills developed through these courses help individuals manage budgets, perform workplace tasks more efficiently, and solve practical problems.

The curriculum is designed not only to teach mathematics but also to apply these skills in real-life contexts, thereby improving both personal and professional competencies. 

Functional Skills English

Functional skills English is designed to aid your ability to communicate effectively, both in personal and professional settings. This qualification serves as an opportunity to further education and improve employment opportunities, ensuring that learners are well-equipped to succeed in today’s fast-paced world.

The functional skills qualification in English mirrors the practical approach found in Maths, in that we offer both level 1 functional skills English, and level 2 English functional skills, with a focus on real-world scenarios. The course is segmented into three key components:

• Reading: Learners must demonstrate the ability to independently understand and decode written texts with meaningful context.
• Writing: This involves the independent construction of written texts within a purposeful context, emphasising clear and effective communication.
• Speaking, Listening, and Communicating (SLC): This assessment focuses on verbal and non-verbal communication, covering everything from face-to-face interactions to digital communications.

Each component is crucial for understanding the basics of English and is assessed separately to ensure comprehensive learning and proficiency.

To further support learning, the course offers:

• Revision Tools: Detailed reviews of each topic covered in the course.
• Practice Questions: These vary in difficulty to help learners gradually build their command of the language.
• Topic Tests: Designed to prepare learners for the types of questions they will encounter in exams.

Advantages of Functional Skills Courses

Functional skills offer a range of benefits that make them a practical choice for students seeking flexible and relevant educational opportunities. Here’s why enrolling in functional skill courses can be a transformative decision for the learner.

1. Flexible Learning Options

One of the main advantages of functional skills courses is their flexibility. Unlike traditional classroom settings, these courses allow learners to study at their own pace and from any location. Whether on a phone, laptop, or tablet, students can access their course materials and complete their studies in a way that fits their lifestyle. 

2. Personalised Support

With our different levels of qualifications, each student is paired with a personal tutor who brings a wealth of experience in their specific field of study. This one-on-one support ensures that students receive tailored assistance and guidance throughout their learning journey. If challenges arise, help is just a message away.

3. Duration and Adaptability

Typically, functional skills qualifications can be completed in about two months, although learners have up to six months to finish their coursework to accommodate different learning speeds and schedules. 

For those who need additional time, extensions are readily available, demonstrating the program’s adaptability to individual needs.

4. Employer Recognition

Employers highly regard functional skills, viewing them as credible and substantial qualifications. Recognised as equivalent to GCSEs at levels 1 and 2, these qualifications are often considered essential for various roles and are a respected stepping stone towards apprenticeships and other professional advancements.

5. Curriculum Content and Accreditation

Functional skills qualifications focus on practical skills applicable in real-world scenarios. Recent updates to the curriculum have emphasised essential workplace skills such as problem-solving in maths and improved literacy in English. These courses are accredited by reputable bodies like NCFE, AQA, RQF, and OCR, ensuring that the qualifications meet high standards and are consistent across the board.

Choose Flexible Learning For Your Functional Skills

In conclusion, functional skills qualifications offer invaluable practical abilities crucial in both educational and professional environments. With flexible learning options, tutor support, and curriculums aligned with real-world applications, these qualifications prepare learners for immediate and future challenges. Highly regarded by employers and accredited by major educational bodies, functional skills are the stepping stones that learners need if they want to proceed onto further education and future career prospects, making them a wise investment for lifelong success.

Did you know that businesses now have the option to choose whether a maths or english qualification is required for their apprentice courses? Find out why.

FAQs

Sources

Clarke, V., (2025) Maths and English skills ditched for adult apprentices. BBC. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7dl10p9qno [accessed 07/03/2025]