Functional Skills

Functional Skills in English and maths are vital for young people and adults to participate in life, learning and work. Functional Skills training focuses on problem solving, and gives learners practical strategies for applying and transferring skills in everyday situations.

Functional Skills provide a single route to achievement from Entry Level to Level 2 for all learners in all sectors. On behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, NIACE gathered feedback and case studies from colleges, offender institutions, work-based learning providers, the voluntary and community sector and local authorities involved in Functional Skills pilots for adults. Overall, feedback from the pilots is positive about Functional Skills and recognises their benefits for adult learners. You can download our report at the NIACE online shop 

NIACE is a key player in Functional Skills policy, maintaining an objective view in order to advocate successfully on behalf of learners, practitioners and managers.