I am a Key Skills tutor working in the WBL sector for Shawcare Training a H&SC apprenticeship training provider.  I understand we need to move from KS to Functional Skills next year and was wondering if anyone out there had already made the move?  I am unsure whether to keep going with KS or change asap?  I'm hoping to get on the Edexcel training in December but would be grateful for any advice anyone has!

Emily

shawcaretraining.co.uk 

Hi

Most of my centres have stayed with Key Skills and will change to Functional Skills next year. I am sure that the training in December will be useful, however, if anyone has made the change have they got anything they could share with Emily that would help her decide?

Thanks Richard

Yes you are correct, as from September 2012, functional skills will be the mandatory skills qualification within apprenticeships.  For many work based learning colleagues this will mean the transition from key skills, and the adoption of new teaching/training methodologies in delivering functional skills.  This is something we are committed to support you with, through are training opportunities and support materials.

Currently there are some breakfast meetings being held for WBL colleagues in December  where the focus is the transition from key skills to functional skills,and these are on the website for you to reserve your place.  They are booking up very quickly!  In addition we will be holding further training opportuntities in the new year.

Hope this helps Emily

regards

Cheryl Woods

National manager skills and foundation learning

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=326373

This web site was recommended by Carolyn Lewis via Linkedin.  There are H&SC and Business Admin FS modules.  I have had a problem accessing them but they look good!

Hi All,

I have a question. A key skills ( communication)  level 2 had a piece of sheet music as one of the 500 word documents. As quite rightly pointed out music is a 'language'.

It is a new one to me. I would appreciate any advice / guidance.

Thanks

Kim

Personally I would say no as it is the understanding of the written word that is being assessed.  Interesting question though!

Emily Kenyon

Shawcare Training

Hi Emily,

Thanks for your reply.

When first looking at this I thought it ok as it was more about what the candidate did with the two selected documents but  the Key Skills Qualifications standards and guidance (2004) does state that the two documents should have at least 500 words. It was an intersting one though. One I had not come across before.

Kim

A nice idea, and does show the learner is thinking about the project in an interesting and different way but I think it is the reading and understanding of words that they need to demonstrate.  Thanks for sharing though!  Helps us all.

Emily xxx

Thanks everybody for your contributions, this has been interesting reading.

Regards Richard

Hi,

Just as we have managed to familiarise ourselves confidently with Key skills...comes the change. What i have noticed is on the log in for the Btec apprenticeship workbook, there is a functional skills workbook for maths and english.

Does anyone know if this will be used in the same method as the assessment workbook as evidence? it would be great if someone could let me know as soon as possible please...preparation is the key i believe!

Sarah Lax

Endike Care Traiing.

Hull.

Also (whilst i am on the subject) if this is the case and the workbook is going to be used in the same method, it states at the front of the book that although the workbook is based around Health & Social Care, the actual test is not specific to one particular industry.

WHY IS THAT???

Am i reading this all wrong, or does that seem quite silly to do that? and is this one of the reasons for the low pass rate?

Any ideas?

Sarah

Hello everyone,

Edexcel are currently facilitating some training days on the transition from Key Skills to Functional Skills, details can be found on the main website.

Key Skills and Functional Skills are by their very nature generic qualifications. Although Health and Social Care apprentices can be helped to understand the concepts through sector specific materials and contexts, the tests themselves, are generic and applicable to all apprentices who undertake them irrespective of the sector they work in.

Jane  

Key Skills and Functional Skills are by their very nature generic qualifications. Although Health and Social Care apprentices can be helped to understand the concepts through sector specific materials and contexts, the tests themselves, are generic and applicable to all apprentices who undertake them irrespective of the sector they work in.

Jane