Key Skills
No matter what subject you are studying, some skills are essential to help you progress in your learning, your employment and your daily life. These Key Skills - or Functional Skills - will give you the confidence and ability to succeed no matter where life takes you in future.
Developing Key Skills can mean improving the way you communicate, your ability to use IT and your numeracy. They are qualities which will stand you in good stead in any career.
All full-time students at Derby College have the opportunity to gain qualifications in Key/Functional Skills - or Literacy and Numeracy qualifications.
Achievement is based on three units:
• Communication/Functional English
• Application of Number/Functional Maths
• Information Technology/Functional Information Communication Technology
The awards you gain are recognised nationally by employers - and other education providers such as universities - and demonstrate that you have a range of skills needed in the workplace.
Improving your capabilities in these general areas will also strengthen your performance in your chosen subject area.
You will focus on the right level of Key Skills or Functional Skills to match your individual abilities and needs. Your final qualification will be based on a mixture of levels appropriate for you. Literacy and Numeracy qualifications can also be taken at a variety of levels to suit you.
All in all, Key Skills are about making you more employable. The additional qualifications will look good on your CV and in job applications.