Forum Presentation

GMB Reach Out Union Learning Forum

SOLARIS CENTRE – BLACKPOOL

OCTOBER 4th 2012

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Dave Flanagan

Transition to Functional Skills

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Background to the functional skills transition In December 2011 the Government restated its commitment to

Functional Skills.

Confirmed that registrations to the Key Skills qualifications (Literacy,Numeracy and IT) will be closed for new registrations end ofSeptember 2012.

Level 1 and 2 Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills for Lifequalifications will be phased out after August 2012.

Entry level Adult Literacy and Numeracy will continue to be eligiblefor funding in 2012-2013.

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What are functional skills?

Functional skills are fundamental applied skills in English and Mathematics.

Being ‘functional’ is not just about knowing how to use words and numbers - it is about being able to apply and adapt these skills to a range of everyday life and work situations.

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Impact on ULR’s To understand and facilitate Functional Skills for Level 1 and 2

English and Maths.

Identify and act on the changes to the planning, delivery and assessment as a result of this move.

Pilot the Functional Skills qualifications and act on any issues.

Develop ULR skills to assist in developing the agenda

Functional English includes assessments in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Communication – Impacts on planning and delivery

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How do we register learners? As with the Adult Literacy and Numeracy all learners must be

registered as a candidate for the Functional Skill(s) they are working towards before accessing any live assessment materials.

Registration is free of charge and can be completed online by the provider

You don’t specify the qualification level when registering candidates as it is recognised that this may change during the their course.

The levels will be entered when booking learners in for externally marked assessments.

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Functional English (FE) Guided learning hours: 45

Three components:

1. Reading2. Writing3. Speaking Listening and Communication (SLC)

Each component can be attempted at different times and at different levels.

To gain qualification certification, all 3 components must be achieved at Entry 1 or higher.

If the candidate has achieved each component at different levels they are entitled to the qualification achieved at the lowest level.

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Functional Maths (FM)

Guided learning hours: 45

One assessment

Calculators are allowed!

Candidates will normally require the following: pencil, pen, 30cm ruler, protractor and calculator.

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How is Functional English (FE) and Maths (FM) Assessed? At Entry Level:

Externally set by awarding body

Internally marked

Internally quality assured

At Levels 1 and 2:

Externally set and marked by awarding body

Apart from the FE Speaking, Listening and Communication (SLC) component which is internally marked and quality assured.

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What are the pass marks for each functional skills?

FS English Reading:

Level 1 – 25-29 out of 40


FS English Writing:



FS Mathematics:

Level 1 – 25-29 our of 45

Level 2 – 32 -38 out of 60

As with the Adult Literacy and Numeracy pass marks vary slightly between assessment papers to take into account slight variations in difficulty.

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Functional skills assessments aren’t exams – what does this mean? City and Guilds identify FS assessments are not examinations and provide

the following information:

- Formal examination conditions are not required.

- There is no finite list of permitted/prohibited items

- Candidates should be able to use equipment that would routinely be available to them.

- The purpose of FS assessment is to measure the candidates’ application of English and Mathematics within a task.

- Example within FS English - Can word process their reading and writing assessment and use spelling/grammar check and dictionary.

- Example within FS Maths – Can use a spreadsheet to generate charts/graphs if they wish.

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What conditions are required? The assessment should only be attempted once the candidate is deemed

to have the knowledge and skills required to achieve.

Should be taken under supervised conditions – supervised by the assessor/tutor or another responsible adult must be continuous and to any specified time limits.

For Entry level assessment they can be completed (in most cases) over more than one session – as long as no learning or preparation is completed in between sessions. Level 1 and 2 assessments must be completed in one sitting.

Candidates must attempt a different assessment title if re-sitting or progressing to the next level – no minimum time in between attempts.

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FS English Level 1/2 – Writing Skills for Life learners only had to take one reading test that assessed all criteria.

As learners will have to take a writing assessment more guided learning will be required to ensure learners are prepared and are confident with writing.

Therefore the scheme of work (SOW) will need to be adapted to include work towards the writing assessment.

More time to be spent on practising writing and not just being able to identify what the following are and spotting them in texts:

Writing for different audiences and purpose Writing complete sentences Writing in the past, present and future Writing using compound and complex sentences Writing in lower and uppercase. Writing using correct subject verb agreement Writing in paragraphs Including the correct end punctuation

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FS English Level 1/2 Speaking Listening and Communication

As well as the reading and writing learners will be required to take a speaking, listening and communication assessment.

Examples are given for topics. Topics, planning and assessing is done by the centre.

Learners will need time to practice speaking and listening, building up their confidence to speak independently and also as part of a group.

Informal and formal discussions

Familiar and unfamiliar topics

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FS Mathematics

Very different from the Adult Numeracy tests.

Focuses on problem solving tasks.

3 sections on different topics.

Create more problem solving lessons that include the use of a calculator

Drawing own graphs – the use of spreadsheet software

Using mathematical equipment.

Complete sample papers to get an idea about the assessment.

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ULR Contact

(IAG / Signposting)

Taster / Informal Learning

Ebay

IT Modules

Short Courses

GMB Education

H&S

Pensions

Union Representative

Training

Functional Skills

Maths

English

ICT

Employability / Redundancy

CV’s

Job Searching

Interview Techniques

Pathways to Employment

Work based Learning

Apprenticeships

Vocational Qualifications

CPD Opportunities

FE / HE

Personal Development

Up-Skilling

Open University

Distance Learning

FE / HE

Joanne Connor

Get Online7.8 million adults in the UK have never accessed the internet

39% of them are over 65

3.98 million disabled adults have never used the internet

8.1% of adults earning less than £200 a week have never used the internet

38% are unemployed

90% of all new jobs require basic internet skills

70% of jobs are advertised only online

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Learn My Way

www.learnmyway.com20

http://www.learnmyway.com/

Hub ActivityTo help reduce the digital divide, each hub is registered as a UK

Online Centre offering free, internet basics courses to anyone.

Weekly activity at each hub whether this is Internet Basics, CVsupport or Basic IT training.

Next Campaign- Get online week 15th-19th October- events at eachhub (exception of Preston) Theme ‘Find a bigger life online’

Go-On has now changed to www.Learnmyway.com

We have supported 305 learners through Go-On since January 2011.Many of these have progressed onto a further course or intoemployment.

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Quick Reads is an English adult literacy project developed betweenleading authors, publishers and the BBC. With no more than 128 pages,the Quick Reads books are designed to encourage less confidentreaders to read more.

Quick Reads are perfect to engage people with reading as they areshort and use clear language but still have fast-paced, excitingstorylines. They are ideal for less confident readers or those put off bylong text.

They are a great alternative to a magazine or newspaper

and there is a great range of titles to choose from.

Can be purchased online (£1.99 per book) or

borrowed from the library

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One in six adults struggle to read. The Six Book Challengebuilds people’s reading confidence and literacy skills,improving their life chances.

Aimed at anyone aged 16 and over.

The 6 book challenge is run annually and invites adults to read6 books and record their reading activities in a diary. Onsuccessful completion, a certificate is received.

It can be run at any time but the main activity is between January and June.

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Over 20,000 people take part each year

Libraries, colleges, workplaces and prisons across the UKrun the Six Book Challenge

The Six Book Challenge helps get people

into reading for pleasure, often for the first time.

The challenge does not just cover books but poems,magazine articles, eBooks and even digital games cancount.

National draw takes place in June and prizes include a tripto London with spending money and eBook readers.

Have to submit a registration form to be eligible for theprize draws. (can be downloaded from Reading Agencywebsite)

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Reading Groups at the HubsA reading group is a social activity where people can meet,

share ideas and build relationships.

Currently in the process of creating reading groups for all atthe learning hubs across the region.

Each hub is equipped with a Quick Reads collection howeverall reading material will be encouraged.

Great potential to improve skills such as:

Reading & speaking in a group

Creative thinking

The ability to listen & question

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The WorkplaceThe workplace demands the ability to read a variety of texts

including:

Health & safety information

Operating manuals

Reports, emails & forms

Staff information on posters & leaflets

3 million adults in the UK have low levels of literacy

A reading group is ideal to help people improve their skills in reading, writing and speaking in a group.

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Getting Involved As a ULR you can negotiate with your employer to start up

a reading group.

21,000 people surveyed found that:

82% felt encouraged to read in their free time

70% said they felt encouraged to try other types of learning

68% noticed positive changes in staff attitude and behaviour

ULR toolkit can be downloaded from www.quickreads.org.uk

Special offer for 100 books (past titles) for £20.00

until 31st October. Telephone 0870 600 2400 to order

2013 packs are now available for £85.00 including a stand.

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http://www.quickreads.org.uk/

6 Book Challenge MarketingMarketing packs to help promote the 6 Book Challenge are

available from www.readingagency.org.uk Packs are priced at £70.00 until 10th October (£75 thereafter)

1 pack contains enough material for 50 participants.

Incentives such as pens, rules, notebooks are also available to purchase.

www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk for more information

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http://www.readingagency.org.uk/

http://www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk/

Adult Informal Learning

Informal adult and community learning is a term used to describe learning that is usually unaccredited and is completed because people have a personal interest in doing so rather than with the aim of gaining a qualification.

It covers a wide spectrum of activities from personal development and employability through to using social media and trading online.

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Short CoursesWe have put together a brochure detailing short courses

which we intend to roll out across the learning hubs.

This covers a variety of subjects from Internet Basics, CVworkshops, eBay, Social Media and Holiday Spanish.

Courses are priced at £20.00 or free to GMB members.

eBay course began yesterday at the Manchester hub.

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Adult Learners’ Week is a national celebration of the benefits of lifelong learning.

Through a series of events, Adult Learners' Week offers the perfect opportunity to highlight the many types of learning available to adults from all walks of life.

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This annual event inspires learning in workplaces up and downthe country & provides a catalyst for people to try new thingsand gain new skills.

Whether the learning events are for fun or work-related, theyall contribute to the personal development of each individualand ensure that they and the businesses they work for stayfocused on the importance of learning as an ongoing activity.

The theme has not yet been set but keep checkingwww.alworg.uk for more information

Thursday 23 May 2013:Learning at Work Day

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http://www.alworg.uk/





Recognise the achievements of your inspirational friends, family,colleagues or students by nominating them for the individuallearner awards. You can also highlight the outstanding work ofyour organisation by nominating your learning projects.

Nominations are open until 5pm, Thursday 13 December 2012.

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Graham Randle

The current context

Economic Downturn

Youth Unemployment

Public Sector Cuts

Double-Dip Recession

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Apprentices are the focus of the new Government’s Skills Agenda

“The most important objective of all is to make Apprenticeships the primary means for people to gain skills in the workplace.”

John Hayes, Minister for Skills, 29th September 2010

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Minimum Apprenticeship Pay

Apprentices have their own minimum wage rate of £2.60/hour

Applies to:

Apprentices who are under the age of 19

Apprentices in the first year of their apprenticeship

Otherwise apprentices should be paid the NMW

Most apprentices are paid significantly more

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Apprenticeship Structure

Knowledge Element

Competence Element (The Qualification)

“Functional” or “Key” Skills

Module on Employment Rights and Responsibilities

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The Union Role

Promoting apprenticeships

Ensuring decent apprenticeships

Negotiating good terms and conditions

Promoting Equality, Protecting the Vulnerable

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Challenges that unions may face Abuse of Apprenticeships

Avoiding replacement of other jobs

Poor Quality Apprenticeships, including Apprenticeship Training Agencies

Working across the union

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Apprenticeships and Equality

The TUC recommend:

Improving careers advice

Promoting best practice in recruitment procedures

Publicising positive images of women/BME/disabled apprentices in industry

Improving equality and diversity training in all sectors.

Publicising apprentice pay rates and prioritising collection of data

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Apprenticeships and Equality

Unions can play a role by:

Ensuring we think about equality in negotiations with employers on the recruitment and career progression of apprentices

Promote flexible working and training.

Get involved in mentoring and supporting apprentices

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What Unionlearn are doing

Raised the apprenticeship agenda within the movement

Supported unions to engage with over 200 employers around apprenticeships

Developed practical resources to support union reps and ULRs who are working directly with apprentices

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Policy Context for Unionlearn/ULF

“Unionlearn should “play a greater role in promoting Apprenticeships to disadvantaged groups in the workplace and to employers that have not trained apprentices before”.

BIS, Skills for Sustainable Growth, Nov 2010

“The premise that “Apprenticeships are union business” –is one to which I wholly subscribe” John Hayes, Minister for Skills, Feb 2011

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Our Aims1. Support Unions to engage employers around

apprenticeships

2. Support reps/ULRs to work with apprentices in the workplace

3. Continue to build policy, research and evidence to ensure apprenticeships are high quality

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For more information

Contact

[email protected]

07747025931

02070796932

www.unionlearn.org.uk/apprentices

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mailto:[email protected]

Marketplace

Paul Callaghan

Changes in the Adult Learning Sector

Learner eligibility

Fully funded

Co-funded

Not funded

European Social Fund

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

New Funding System

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Mainstream Funding for Learners 2012/13 Workplace Learning

(Less than 250 employees)Workplace Learning(More than 250 employees)

24+ without a first Level 2

24+ qualified to Level 2 or above



Functional Skills (English, maths and IT)

Fully funded Fully funded Fully funded Fully funded

ESOL Not funded Not funded Not funded Not funded

Entry and Level 1 Not funded Not funded Not funded Not funded

Full Level 2 Co-funded Co-funded Not funded Not funded

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Mainstream Funding for Learners 2012/13 Workplace Learning

(Less than 250 employees)Workplace Learning(More than 250 employees)





Full Level 3 Not funded Not funded Not funded Not funded

Full Level 4 Not funded Not funded Not funded Not funded

Apprenticeship (all levels)

Co-funded Co-funded Co-funded Co-funded

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Mainstream Funding for Learners 2012/13 Unemployed

on active benefits

19-23 Classroom based



Stand alone units Fully funded Not funded Not funded Not funded

Functional Skills Fully funded Fully funded Fully funded Fully funded

ESOL Fully funded Co-funded(classroom)Not funded (workplace)

Co-funded Co-funded

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Mainstream Funding for Learners 2012/13 Unemployed on

active benefits19-23 Classroom based



Entry and Level 1

Fully funded Fully funded (classroom)Fully funded (vocational Level 1, workplace)

Co-funded Co-funded

Level 2 Fully funded Fully funded (those without Level 2)Co-funded (with Level 2, classroom)Co-funded (with Level 2, SME workplace)

Co-funded Co-funded

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Mainstream Funding for Learners 2012/13 Unemployed on

active benefits19-24 Classroom based

25+ withoutfirst Level 2

25+ qualifiedto Level 2 or above

Full Level 3 Fully funded Fully funded (those without Level 3)Co-funded (with Level 3, classroom)Not funded (with Level 3 workplace)

Co-funded Co-funded

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Mainstream Funding for Learners 2012/13 Unemployed

on active benefits

19-24 Classroom based


25+ qualifiedto Level 2 or above

Full Level 4 Fully funded Fully funded (those without Level 3)Co-funded (with Level 3, classroom)Not funded (with Level 3 workplace)

Co-funded Co-funded

Apprenticeship (all levels)

Not funded Co-funded Not funded Not funded

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European Social Fund Work Based Learning

3 year programme to July 2015

Fully funded provision for those 19+ without Level 2 qualifications

Main contractors: Calderdale College, North Lancs Training Group

Skills Support for Redundancy

3 year programme to July 2015

Fully funded provision for those at risk of redundancy or recently redundant (less than 6 months unemployed)

Main contractors: Newcastle College

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Qualifications & Credit Framework Qualifications from Entry Level to Level 8

Qualifications made up of units (similar to NVQ)

Units made up of credits

Credits combined to make: Awards (1-12 credits)

Certificates (13-36 credits)

Diplomas (37 credits and above)

Learners must achieve 50% of credits at the level they enrol

Units can be carried forward across providers

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Streamlined FundingLearning Aim Standard Low Medium High Specialist

Unit £150 £168 £195 £240 £258

Award £500 £560 £650 £800 £860

Certificate £900 £1008 £1170 £1440 £1548

Diploma £2500 £2800 £3250 £4000 £4300

16-18 Apprenticeship £4000 £5600 £7200 £8800 £12000

19+ Apprenticeship £2000 £2800 £3600 £4400 £6000

Piloted in 2012/13, to be fully introduced 2013/14

Rates may be reduced

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Kevin Flanagan

Forum Presentation

Documents

Transcript of Forum Presentation