Functional Skills
When participants begin a qualification with us, they may need to complete Functional Skills in maths and English. These are mandatory for apprentices who start aged 16–18, unless they already hold equivalent qualifications.
Apprentices aged 19+ are not automatically required to complete Functional Skills, but they or their employer can choose to opt in. If they do, the government will fund this, and while they must attempt the assessments, passing them is not required to finish the apprenticeship.
For those undertaking business apprenticeships, day-to-day tasks call for a basic understanding of Functional Skills, for example English is essential for tasks such as drafting emails and creating presentations. Mathematical skills are crucial for tasks like budgeting, financial record-keeping, and data analysis.