Work-based Route

Q. What key skills are required in Advanced Modern Apprenticeships?
Q. Why is the work-based route treated differently from schools and colleges?
Q. Will all Modern Apprentices pursuing a key skills qualification have to achieve the external assessment (test) component?
Q. What about trainees who need help with the basic skills of literacy and numeracy?
Q. Can you tell me more about funding of key skills in the work-based route?
Q. What about the Wider Key Skills in apprenticeships?
Q. How will training providers be monitored?

Q. What key skills are required in Advanced Modern Apprenticeships?

A.

From September 2001 the key skills qualifications at level 2, including the external test, in Communications and Application of Number are a minimum mandatory requirement in all Advanced Modern Apprenticeship (AMA) frameworks (GCSE A*-C achievement is also acceptable; see Q22). Otherwise it is for National Training Organisations (NTOs) to specify which key skills and at what levels are required for successful completion of an AMA. This can include the wider key skills. Providers will need to ensure that trainees have opportunities to take the key skills qualifications at the level or levels appropriate to their needs and abilities. Providers will be assessed by the degree to which their trainees achieve the qualifications.

For Foundation Modern Apprenticeships (FMAs) the MA Advisory Group has recommended that the Level 1 key skills qualifications in Communication and Application of Number should become a minimum requirement (GCSE A*-C achievement is also acceptable; see Q22).  This recommendation has been accepted with immediate effect.  The NTOs or their successor bodies have discretion to determine which of the remaining key skills and at what level are appropriate for each industry sector.  It is expected that trainees will take key skills to a level appropriate with their needs and abilities.

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Q. Why is the work-based route treated differently from schools and colleges?

A.

The Government's response to the QCA review in July 2001 in fact introduced a greater parity between the routes than was previously the case.  The new relaxation, whereby those who have achieved A*-C grades in GCSE English, Maths or ICT will not be asked to undertake the related key skill qualification(s) at level 2, will apply equally to the work-based route.  The inclusion of level 2 Communication and Application of Number key skills qualifications in AMA programmes to meet the needs of trainees who have not already achieved A*-C grades in GCSE English or Maths, reflects the broad requirement for these skills at this level in all craft, technical and junior management occupations. 

Similarly, the expectation that those aiming for a professional or higher qualification post-19 (which will be true of many AMA candidates) should be supported in gaining at least one relevant key skill qualification at level 3, is already catered for in the many MA frameworks where NTOs have already specified one or more level 3 key skills qualifications.  The same range of proxy qualifications, identified by the QCA, is available to the work-based route as to schools and colleges.

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Q. Will all Modern Apprentices pursuing a key skills qualification have to achieve the external assessment (test) component?

A.

Yes.  It was always the case that candidates were required to achieve the test component as well as the portfolio component in order to achieve the key skills qualifications.  However, there was an initial year-long dispensation, whereby Modern Apprentices were permitted to satisfy the MA framework requirements on the basis of portfolio evidence only, without achieving the key skills qualifications.  This dispensation ended on 31 August 2001.   

Introduction of the test component may help providers to reduce the time and resources currently devoted to the portfolio component.  Assessment in the work-based route is now on the same basis as that in schools and colleges, requiring evidence both of possession of the skills to a consistent standard and of their application in a range of work-related settings.

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Q. What about trainees who need help with the basic skills of literacy and numeracy?

A.Young people who are not yet ready to attempt the key skills because they have a numeracy or literacy need will have their basic skills requirements tackled first.  Training providers and colleges will assess individuals' needs on entry and design programmes accordingly. Effective initial assessment is essential, both for trainees with basic skills needs and for the individual tailoring of all programmes.  Advice and support on approaches to initial assessment is available from the Key Skills Support Programme. 
The Government has recently published its Basic Skills strategy, including as a priority group young adults for whom basic skills and key skills are vital.  The key skills tests at levels 1 and 2 in communication and application of number also act as the tests for adult literacy and adult numeracy.  This means that candidates can achieve a basic skills qualification by passing an external test.  Candidates who gain the adult literacy and numeracy certificates by passing these tests can then progress to achieving the full key skills qualifications if they wish.  In order to meet the requirements of the internal assessment component of the key skills qualifications, candidates would need to develop a suitable portfolio of evidence.

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Q. Can you tell me more about funding of key skills in the work-based route?

A.Due to the format of Work Based Learning the funding of key skills is not separate, but is included in the overall funding of the Modern Apprenticeship programme.  In this context a young person is someone who is over 16 and will complete their apprenticeship programme before their 25th birthday.

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Q. What about the Wider Key Skills in apprenticeships?

A.

These skills are valued by employers and higher education institutions and for lifelong learning.  The key skills units (Working with Others, Problem Solving, Improving Own Learning and Performance) are not externally assessed and are therefore not regarded as qualifications within the National Qualifications Framework.  In this, they differ from the key skills qualifications (Application of Number, Communication and IT).  The wider key skills units are nevertheless offered and certificated by key skills awarding bodies.

The value placed by employers upon these skills is evident from their inclusion in Modern Apprenticeship frameworks.  In addition, other trainees 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 - should be encouraged to seek formal assessment and certification in the wider key skills if they so wish.

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Q. How will training providers be monitored?

A.The LSC will monitor key skills through quality monitoring visits, along with other curriculum provision, as part of the performance review area, Quality of education and training and standards achieved by learners.  It is also expected that key skills will be inspected as part of the Adult Learning Inspectorate's planned cycle of inspections of all providers.  In addition, discussions with staff and students will confirm whether key skills is being delivered in line with government expectations and as set out in the provider's strategic plan.

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