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Key Skills Level 2 and above in England, Northern Ireland and Wales

When were they available?

Key skills awards have been available since September 1995 and were made available as single subject awards; ‘Application of Number’ (Numeracy) and ‘Communication’ (Literacy) from September 2001.

Where would I have studied?

Key skills are usually achieved as part of another programme of study which may take place at school; further education (FE) college; private training provider; work-based learning organisation; adult and community learning (ACL) centres; or university.

How would I have been assessed?

Key skills are taken as part of another programme of study including; A levels; general national vocational qualifications (GNVQ); national vocational qualifications (NVQ); BTECs; OCR nationals; under graduate programmes; foundation degrees; modern apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships etc.

Assessment is by portfolio and external assessment (similar or same as the National test in adult numeracy or adult literacy).

What result would I have achieved?

Many awarding bodies offer Key skills and will issue a certificate of achievement.

Awarding bodies include; City & Guilds, EDEXCEL, AQA, OCR, WJEC, NCFE, CACHE, ETCAL, BHEST, IMIAL, HAB, CCEA, ASDAN, VTCT, EDI and ASDAN.

A list of approved proxy Key skills qualifications can be found on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) website.

For evidencing personal skills Key skills must be demonstrated at a minimum of level 2.

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