Do I need to do Functional Skills?
Maths and English are vital subjects that form a part of most education and training courses. As a result successive governments have pushed forward and promoted foundational courses that provide learners with the essential skills they need to succeed.
That means with Government-funded apprenticeships, such as the Level 3 Paralegal, Level 3 Team Supervisor and the Level 5 Operational Manager that Datalaw offer, the Government require that all learners must have evidence of their Maths and English qualifications in the form of a Level 3 or equivalent certificate and/or a provisional notification of results or a statement of results from the awarding organisation.
We fund apprentices to achieve qualifications in English or maths (or both), if they do not already meet the minimum requirements for certification.
If an apprentice does not have a certificate and/or a provisional notification of results or a statement of results from the awarding organisation, the provider can ask the apprentice to get a replacement certificate from the relevant awarding organisation (there will be a cost for this). Guidance on obtaining replacement certificates and what to do if the examination board no longer exists can be found at https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
Overseas qualifications will be acceptable where there is clear evidence from UK NARIC that the qualification is an equivalent level and grade to the minimum requirements for English and maths. In order to be acceptable the evidence must confirm that the qualification achieved is:
comparable with the relevant English framework level (Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 1 / Level 2)
comparable with the relevant English qualification (GCSE)
comparable with the required minimum grades (for instance A star to C / 9 to 4 for level 2 and E / 2 for level 1)
and additional comparison information confirmed (that the qualification is GCSE English and/or maths equivalent)
Such evidence may be from a statement of comparability (which also confirms the student name and date grade/qualification awarded and whether this is comparable to GCSE A* to C / 9 to 4) or it may be from the NARIC International Comparisons database. Where the NARIC database is used, this will only confirm the equivalency of the qualification to GCSE English and/or maths it will not confirm that this is the qualification the individual achieved. Therefore, where the database is used, evidence that the individual achieved the qualification and the date of their achievement, must also be provided.
Where the apprentice has a qualification at level 4 or above (SCQF level 7 and above such as an Advanced Higher) this is acceptable if the qualification is predominantly in the subject of English Language or English Literature and/or Mathematics.
That means with Government-funded apprenticeships, such as the Level 3 Paralegal, Level 3 Team Supervisor and the Level 5 Operational Manager that Datalaw offer, the Government require that all learners must have evidence of their Maths and English qualifications in the form of a Level 3 or equivalent certificate and/or a provisional notification of results or a statement of results from the awarding organisation.
We fund apprentices to achieve qualifications in English or maths (or both), if they do not already meet the minimum requirements for certification.
Acceptable Evidence
If an apprentice does not have a certificate and/or a provisional notification of results or a statement of results from the awarding organisation, the provider can ask the apprentice to get a replacement certificate from the relevant awarding organisation (there will be a cost for this). Guidance on obtaining replacement certificates and what to do if the examination board no longer exists can be found at https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
Overseas Qualifications
Overseas qualifications will be acceptable where there is clear evidence from UK NARIC that the qualification is an equivalent level and grade to the minimum requirements for English and maths. In order to be acceptable the evidence must confirm that the qualification achieved is:
comparable with the relevant English framework level (Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 1 / Level 2)
comparable with the relevant English qualification (GCSE)
comparable with the required minimum grades (for instance A star to C / 9 to 4 for level 2 and E / 2 for level 1)
and additional comparison information confirmed (that the qualification is GCSE English and/or maths equivalent)
Such evidence may be from a statement of comparability (which also confirms the student name and date grade/qualification awarded and whether this is comparable to GCSE A* to C / 9 to 4) or it may be from the NARIC International Comparisons database. Where the NARIC database is used, this will only confirm the equivalency of the qualification to GCSE English and/or maths it will not confirm that this is the qualification the individual achieved. Therefore, where the database is used, evidence that the individual achieved the qualification and the date of their achievement, must also be provided.
English and Maths Qualifications at Higher Levels
Where the apprentice has a qualification at level 4 or above (SCQF level 7 and above such as an Advanced Higher) this is acceptable if the qualification is predominantly in the subject of English Language or English Literature and/or Mathematics.
Updated on: 15/06/2021
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