Regulatory criteria for Functional Skills
Last updated on: 12/11/2009
Ofqual, together with its regulatory partners in Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA), has published the Functional Skills qualifications criteria and the specific criteria for the individual Functional Skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT).
The first accreditation of the new Functional Skills qualifications is planned for 19 March 2010. All awarding organisations wishing to offer Functional Skills qualifications from September 2010 and thereafter will need to demonstrate to Ofqual how they comply with these criteria. Any specifications that do not fully meet the criteria will not be accredited.
Proposals need to be submitted to Ofqual on 5 February 2010 for accreditation on 19 March. Additional accreditation opportunities will be available.
No awarding organisations have been recognised to offer Functional Skills. Therefore each awarding organisation that wishes to offer Functional Skills qualifications must complete a short recognition process.
Timeline
In summary, the important dates are:
| 4 November 2009 | Functional Skills criteria qualifications published. |
|---|---|
| 1 December 2009 | Deadline for expression of interest if you wish to submit Functional Skills qualifications for accreditation in 2010. |
| 8 January 2010 | Final date for first submission of recognition application to ensure that is has been reviewed in time for potential recognition by the end of January. |
| 31 January 2010 | Recognition process must be complete in order that submissions can be considered for accreditation in March 2010. |
| 5 February 2010 | Accreditation proposals submitted to Ofqual. |
| 19 March 2010 | First accreditation decisions made. |
| 31 May 2010 | Final date for submission of qualifications for accreditation by end July. |
Please note, the closing date has now passed for awarding organisations to express their interest in submitting Functional Skills qualifications for accreditation in 2010.
Criteria
You can download the criteria below: