Functional Skills, also known as Skills for Life include Maths, English and Digital Skills. Holding these skills at level 2, equivalent to GSCE grade 4-9 (or A*-C), is a completion requirement of apprenticeships at level 3 and above.
AELP (Association of Employment and Learning Providers) are conducting research into the benefits of contextualized functional skills maths delivery. They are looking for groups of four or five learners studying Level 2 FS (Functional Skills) Maths and will visit to conduct an onsite focus group.
It is widely acknowledged that achievement of Maths is the biggest barrier to completion of apprenticeships and existing research suggests that contextualised delivery related to the sector the apprentice works in can help to address this, but more research is required.
If you are interested, please email Malcolm Williamson – mwilliamson@aelp.org.uk.
Access our Skills for Life section for further information about functional skills support available.