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Functional skills maths/English/ICT - are these accepted by employers?

7 replies

Tanfastic · 28/06/2017 19:33

I'm 44 and already a manager but I've no formal qualifications, I just kind of fell into it through gaining on the job experience in the private sector over 18 years of service. However I was recently offered a level 3 course in management for free so I've taken up the offer....

However because I do not have any GCSE's (except an A in art - really helpful Hmm) I've been told I've got to retake them by way of functional skills in maths, English and ICT.

So..... my question is, if I pass these and were to apply for a job in the future that required you to have a C or above in GCSE maths and English in order to apply, would my functional skills be accepted in place of formal GCSEs? Are these acceptable or would I be better retaking GCSE's? I don't really understand how it works these days.

OP posts:
2ndSopranos · 28/06/2017 22:02

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2ndSopranos · 28/06/2017 22:03

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TheFallenMadonna · 28/06/2017 22:05

I think level 2 functional skills is more useful maths to many employers than GCSE Maths. However, I say that as a teacher, with knowledge of both specs, rather than as an employer.

motheroreily · 28/06/2017 22:08

I think it would depend on the employer.

My understanding is a level 1 and entry level functional skill is equivalent to below c at gcse. And the content of functional skills maths is different to gcse maths. (It's more functional Smile like everyday use of maths).

motheroreily · 28/06/2017 22:10

Sorry forgot to say level 2 is equivalent to gcse but I may be wrong.

In my work we'd probably take someone with functional skills in place of GCSEs.

Tanfastic · 28/06/2017 22:14

I'm doing level 2 functional skills which I've been told is equivalent to GCSE C-A. I just wondered if for instance I went for a job at the local council or NHS where it says you have to have so many GCSE's at C or above, would they toss my CV to one side?

I'm not doing them through choice, I can't do the course I want to do without doing them but I figured it might not b a bad thing to have them anyway....(I'm finding the functional skills more difficult than my actual course so far Confused).

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 28/06/2017 22:15

Entry level is below GCSE level (below a 1/G). It is very basic indeed. Entry level goes from 1-3, 3 being the highest. Functional Skills Level 1 is technically equivalent to a G-D (1-3 I suppose, although the whole pass thing is very confused now...) and level 2 is technically C/4. However, the content is different. If you are likely to want your employee sloving simultaneous equations, you want GCSE. Functional skills is everyday useful maths.

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