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General FAQ
Q.
What do Universities think about key skills?
Q. What do Universities think about key skills? A. Increasing numbers of universities are stressing the importance of key skills as part of their admission policies. They are developing statements on the skills, aptitudes and qualifications that candidates will need for particular courses. Over seventy institutions have already provided such statements and in the majority of cases key skills can count towards meeting entry requirements. For students aiming for higher education, key skills attract UCAS entry points, for example 10 points for each key skill of communication, application of number and information technology at Level 2 and 20 points at Level 3. So a student who achieves all three key skills at Level 3 will obtain 60 points, the same as for a grade A at AS level. A major reason why some universities do not recognise key skills is because not all students will have had the opportunity to achieve key skills. Making key skills mandatory could lead to unfair exclusion of some applicants. Nevertheless, it is clear that more and more universities are including key skills as part of their admission policies for courses.
Q. What about the Wider Key Skills? A. These skills are valued by employers and higher education institutions and for lifelong learning. The wider key skills units (Working with Others, Problem Solving, Improving Own Learning and Performance) are not externally assessed (unlike the key skills qualifications of Application of Number, Communication and IT) and are therefore not regarded as qualifications within the National Qualifications Framework. However they willl become accredited qualifications from September 2004. The wider key skills units are nevertheless currently offered and certificated by key skills awarding bodies. A more tailored approach to designing programmes should make it possible for students who have already achieved the Government's expectations - Level 2 in Communication, Application of Number and IT plus, for those aiming for a professional or higher qualification post-19, at least one Level 3 in these subjects - to seek formal assessment and certification in the wider key skills if they so wish.
Q. Can you provide any statistical information? A. Figures on the achievement of the three key skills qualifications of Communication, Application of Number and IT are available through the official Departmental Statistical First Release (SFR). This includes full awards by subject, level, route, proxy qualification, gender and age and covers the period October 2000 to September 2002. This can be found at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000393/index.shtml
Q. What do we mean by proxy/relaxation in key skills? A.There are two parallel but separate issues. The first is around key skills requirements for those in the work-based route taking a Foundation or Advanced Modern Apprenticeship (FMA / AMA) whilst the second is around those wishing formal accreditation for the key skills qualifications and who want to use their previous qualification(s) as formal proxies to claim for either the test and/or portfolio components. The work-based route : · For completion of an FMA or AMA framework, trainees who started on or after 1st September 2001 and hold GCSEs A*-C in English and Maths do not need to achieve the key skills qualifications in communication and application of number at level 1 for FMAs and level 2 for AMAs. A maximum period of three years will be allowed between the award (i.e. date of certification) of the GCSE and the registration date of the MA programme; · For those trainees who nevertheless want to achieve accreditation in one or more of the key skills qualifications, or are still required to so for an AMA framework, the normal proxy qualifications rules would then apply (see below); · During the period 1 September 2000 - 31 August 2001, the DfES gave special dispensation to candidates on AMA programmes to have their achievement of key skills recognized through completion of a portfolio alone. Accordingly, awarding bodies were given special approval to recognize this achievement by issuing an awarding body only certificate. These arrangements did not signify achievement of the new key skills qualifications. This dispensation has now ceased and awarding bodies will not issue certificates for completion of portfolio only element to candidates registered after 31 August 2001. Trainees adopting this prior arrangement must complete their portfolio by 31 August 2003. Proxies / Relaxation : · Proxy qualifications are those qualifications that have been agreed to assess the same knowledge and skills as aspects of the key skills. Because of this overlap, candidates can claim exemption from all or part of particular key skills qualifications for up t three years from the date of the award of the specific accredited proxy qualification. For example, GCSE ICT at grades A*-C is a full proxy for the IT key skills qualification at level 2. In other words, those who have an IT GCSE at A*-C can claim the IT key skill qualification (and its attendant UCAS points); · There is a strict three-year time limit from the date of award of the relevant proxy qualification, within which the learner must provide proof of achievement of the proxy and either submit a portfolio of evidence or claim the key skills qualification (as appropriate). Full details of proxy qualifications are available on the QCA’s website at www.qca.org.uk/nq/ks/proxy_qualifications.asp; · The use of proxies is distinct from the relaxation ruling. The relaxation ruling allows Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprentices who started on or after 1 Septemebr 2001, and who have achieved a grade A*-C GCSE in English and/or Mathematics, to complete their frameworks without being required to take the Level 2 Communication and/or Application of Number key skills qualifications. This relaxation is designed to enable apprentices to concentrate on developing other key skills or improving their Communication or Application of Number by progressing to Level 3.
Q. Who delivers support for key skills? A.The Key Skills Support Programme is managed for schools and colleges by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) and for work-based providers by Learning for Work Ltd (LfW). These managing agents can be contacted via the Programme's website: http://www.keyskillssupport.net
Q. Where can I find out further information? A. Publications The LSC guidance on Funding of Key Skills in Further Education, which came into effect from 1 August 2001, can be found on the LSC website at www.lsc.gov.uk/news_detail.cfm?id=10 The QCA Addendum to the Guidance on the Key Skills of Communication, Application of Number and IT (level 1-4) can be found on the QCA website at http://www.qca.org.uk/nq/ks/addendum_2001.asp The list of recognised proxy qualifications can be found on the QCA website at The September 2001 Key Skills Update can be found on the QCA website at http://www.qca.org.uk/nq/ks/200109_update.asp The QCA Final Report on the Curriculum 2000 Review, presented to the Secretary of State in December 2001, can be found on the QCA website at http://www.qca.org.uk/pdf.asp?/nq/framework/c2k/c2k_phase2.pdf The full text of the QCA Key Skills Review report can be found on the QCA website at http://www.qca.org.uk/pdf.asp?/nq/ks/key_skills_review01.pdf
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