Skills for Life
Skills for Life is defined as “the ability to read, write and speak English and to use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and society in general”. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and ESOL (English for Speaker of Other Languages) are also recognised and included in this definition of Skills for Life.
NCFE offers a suite of Skills for Life Qualifications which support learner development. These include Entry Level, Basic Skills and Key Skills qualifications.
NCFE also encourages the development of Skills for Life Learning opportunities within its portfolio. Every NCFE qualification is mapped to Key Skills; highlighting opportunities within the vocational programme where evidence may be used to contribute to a Key Skills qualification.
New Train to Gain funding funding guidance for Skills for Life
The LSC has released some new information on which Skills for Life qualifications can be funded through Train to Gain, which includes Entry Level.
NCFE Certificates in Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy are eligible for funding, from Entry Level to Level 2. Learners can be funded to follow both literacy and numeracy qualifications, and those with existing qualifications at Level 2 or above will be eleigible for funding where they have an identified basic skills need. Learners who need progression through the Adult Basic Skills qualifications from Entry Level 1 up to Level 2 will also be eligible for funding through Train to Gain.
For more information please read the LSC Train to Gain factsheet available here.
Embedding Skills for Life
NCFE was one of a number of Awarding Bodies and Sector Skills Councils working together to develop ways of Embedding Skills for Life into Vocational learning. The aim of the work was to significantly raise the profile of Skills for Life qualifications, whilst providing learners on Vocational Programmes with the opportunity to undertake Skills for Life qualifications within their main vocational curriculum.
Previous experience has suggested that more than one embedding model will be needed to avoid some of the difficulties experienced with past efforts to embed these skills in vocational programmes. As a result the different organisations involved have all researched, developed, piloted and shared different models for embedding.
NCFE developed two models for embedding Skills for Life
Model 1:
This model is about developing more meaningful signposting opportunities and activities within vocational qualifications. The aim is to allow candidates to understand both the learning and assessment requirements for Skills for Life opportunities that arise within their vocational programmes.
NCFE chose to use the following qualifications to test the model:
- Level 1 & Level 2 Certificates in Employment Skills
- Level 1 Certificate in Uniformed Services
Online materials were developed to support tutors delivering the vocational qualifications and were piloted with centres. Based on centre feedback NCFE updated the materials for Level 1 and 2 Employment Skills, and is in the process of updating the Uniformed Services materials in line with the developments of the qualification. The updated online materials include additional information about the embedding project, available from the NCFE Skills Plus website, along with an Interactive CV for use with the Level 1 Certificate in Employment Skills. Please use the links at the top right of this page to access these materials.
Model 2:
The second model is a tracking device which will provide centres, learners and Awarding Bodies with the ability to identify what Literacy and Numeracy learning opportunities are embedded in a qualification and a tracking device where their achievement can be measured.
NCFE is in the process of developing this model further based on the outcomes of the embedding project.
For further information about the Embedding Project and the development of the Functional Skills qualifications, please go to www.totallyskilled.com
Page author Jayne Tighe jaynetighe@ncfe.org.uk Dec 07