FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REFORM PROGRAMME CONSULTATION JANUARY – JULY 2016

2 The Programme Functional Skills Reform Programme  Based on research conducted in  Involves a multi-stage consultation programme designed to achieve an updated set of Functional Skills standards and qualifications valued by employers.  The aim is to find out which maths and English skills employers require.

3 Why?  Functional Skills standards and qualifications have been in existence for many years and, although employers and learners are generally pleased with them, a number of potential weaknesses were highlighted by recent research.  The Foundation’s review ‘Making maths and English work for all’ (MMEW) in 2015 found that Functional Skills were not broken, but work could be done to improve their relevance and content as well as improve their recognition and credibility in the labour market.

4 Method The work is organised as a wide-ranging consultation using: 1. Online surveys for employers and stakeholders/ practitioners 2. In-depth telephone interviews 3. Focus Groups 4. Workshops

5 The consultation process Led by Pye Tait Consulting: STAGE 1 – Preparation and initial desk research, setting up stakeholder and employer engagement through various networks and specialists STAGE 2 – Consultation “evidence base” (online, telephone and face-to- face) - emphasis on employers; with early views from stakeholders, technical experts, practitioners and learners STAGE 3 – Analysis and first draft revisions to the National Adult Literacy and Numeracy Standards (NALNS) STAGE 4 – Consultation “confirmation” - follow-up conversations with employers to validate NALNS revisions, and greater depth discussions on the qualifications with sector, technical experts and learners STAGE 5 – Analysis and production of final NALNS and research report with policy recommendations 30 th Nov 2015 – on-going 14 th Jan – 7 th Apr th Apr – 13 th May 2016 Mid May – Mid July 2016 Mid July – Late Aug 2016 Input from the Working Group and Expert Advisory Group

6 Timings Consultation January to July Findings report from the consultation will be presented to the Foundation in August  employers,  professional and industry bodies,  employer representative bodies,  unions,  teaching and training practitioners,  FE colleges,  private training providers,  offender learning organisations,  adult learning organisations,  subject specialists,  awarding organisations, and  post-16 learners.

7 Outcomes  Revised standards underpinning Functional Skills qualifications  Subject Content (Criteria) for revised Functional Skills qualifications  A report with policy recommendations to include: what levels of Functional Skills are needed for life and work; the breadth of skills that the new qualifications should include; the number of guided learning hours needed to successfully achieve FS for learners on technical and professional programmes of study, including apprenticeships. These collated findings will be used to recommend improvements.

8 Focus of today’s discussion  What are the essential maths and English skills (including reading, writing and communicating) that are needed in the workplace? Which would you say are in shortest supply?  Have these essential skills needs changed as a result of working in a more IT-rich environment?  How do you feel Functional Skills should be positioned in relation to GCSEs in terms of their purpose, difficult level and target audience?

9 Focus of today’s discussion  What are your views on the structure of FS qualifications in English, i.e. three units covering 1) speaking, listening and communication; 2) reading; 3) writing?  What are your views on the structure of FS qualifications in maths, i.e. 1) representing using mathematics; analysing situations mathematically; and 3) interpreting solutions to problems using mathematics?

10 Focus of today’s discussion  How can Functional Skills gain more credibility for as a non-GCSE route for young people and adults returning to education  Do you have any views on how to increase awareness of FS qualifications?  Views on the whether content, style, structure and assessment of Functional Skills qualifications could be improved

11 How to get involved  Visit for further details of the consultation and how to get involvedwww.pyetait.com/fsreform  Scan the QR code to access the consultation page on your phone  On Twitter you can follow #fsreform or Tweet using the hashtag to spread the word  If you have any questions or comments you can contact us directly on or