How Can I Get Involved?
The Ascentis Functional Skills pilot now in its third year runs from September 2007 until August 2010. During this time we will be looking for centres that would like to work Ascentis on the project.
If your centre currently offers Basic Skills, Key Skills or GCSEs participating in our pilot provides you with an excellent opportunity to get ahead of the game in preparation for the change to Functional Skills in 2010.
To determine, at a glance, if your centre can be engaged in the FS pilot with Ascentis check out the questions below. If the answer to all the questions below are no, Ascentis will undertake to consult with the QCA to see if it is possible for your centre to be involved in the pilot even though your centre is not included, taking part or intends to take part in the developments shown below.
1. Does the centre provide adult education?
2. Is the centre/school registering learners for the Diploma from September 2009?
3. Is the centre/school participating in the Foundation Learning Tier Pilot?
4. Is the centre intending to use Functional Skills to pilot with Skills for Life Learners?
5. Is the centre an FE College or Training Provider offering Key Skills or apprenticeship qualifications?
6. Is the centre already on the FS pilot with another awarding body?
7. Will the centre be offering the Advanced Diploma in September 2010?
8. Does the centre have contracts to offer learning in the custodial sector or probation service?
Please contact Shelly Carruthers at shelly.carruthers@ascentis.co.uk who will send an application form for centre recognition for Functional Skills to you for completion. Once completed the Ascentis Quality Assurance Manager will make a decision on approval and you will be informed of the outcome. The whole process does not take long.
Ascentis has a wealth of experience in the Basic Skills and Skills for Life sector and we are using this expertise in the development of assessments for the functional skills qualifications. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on being a friendly and approachable organisation that is responsive to the needs of our centres. Should you chose to work with use during the pilot we can offer you excellent support, guidance and customer service.
We are piloting all levels of the Functional Skills in English, ICT and Maths. It is a live pilot, which means that learners will be given certificates upon successful completion of the course.
All the lessons learnt from the pilot will be fed back to QCA and will help inform the shape and form of the final versions of the qualification that will be rolled out across all centres at the end of the pilot.
If you are interested in working with Ascentis on in this pilot then please contact a member of the Ascentis Functional Skills team.