Functional Skills Opt-Out: Impact on Adult Care Apprenticeships

Functional Skills Requirements

In England, apprenticeships traditionally required learners to have achieved Functional Skills or GCSE qualifications in Maths and English (unless they already hold them) to be awarded the apprenticeship in full. 

This article will give you a quick and easy run-down of the implications of opting out for both employees and employers.

Positive Impact on Employees

3 Positive Effects for Employees/Apprentices

1. Reduced Barriers to Entry – Some learners struggle with Maths and English due to prior educational gaps or learning difficulties. Removing this requirement can make apprenticeships more accessible and remove the “fear “ of these subjects when considering an apprenticeship.
2. Focus on Vocational Skills – Health and Social Care roles prioritise empathy, communication, and practical care skills. Allowing exemptions lets learners concentrate on these crucial core competencies without the stress of additional academic assessment.
3. Faster Completion – Without the expectation to complete a mandatory Maths and English assessment, apprentices may be supported to complete their programme more quickly.
   
   

Negative Impact on Employees

3 Negative Effects for Employees/Apprentices

1. Limited Career Progression – Functional Skills or GCSEs are often required for higher-level qualifications (e.g., nursing degrees). Without them, learners may face barriers to career advancement.
2. Reduced Confidence in Key Skills – Basic literacy and numeracy are essential for tasks like medication calculations, report writing, and interpreting care and support plans. Avoiding these skills could hinder professional competence.
3. Perceived Lower Standards – Some may view exemptions as “dumbing down” apprenticeships, potentially devaluing the qualification in the eyes of employers or further education providers.
   
   

Positive Impact on Employers

3 Positive Effects For Employers

1. Positive Recruitment – Employers can attract adult care candidates who might otherwise be deterred by Maths and English requirements, helping to fill workforce gaps in a sector with high staff shortages.
2. Reduced Training Costs – Exemptions mean less time and money spent on Functional Skills support, allowing employers to focus on supporting their apprentices with off-the-job specific training.
3. Flexibility – Employers can tailor apprenticeships to roles where advanced numeracy and literacy are less critical (e.g., basic care roles).
   
   

Negative Impact on Employers

3 Negative Effects For Employers

1. Skills Gaps in the Workforce – Employees lacking foundational Maths and English may struggle with tasks like budgeting, data recording, or understanding crucial safeguarding policies.
2. Compliance and Safety Risks – Misreading medication dosage instructions or miscommunicating with colleagues could lead to potentially fatal errors in care delivery.
3. Long-Term Training Needs – Employers may later need to upskill staff in Maths and English to unlock promotions, creating additional costs.
   
   

Making an Informed Decision

Allowing exemptions from Maths and English in Health and Social Care apprenticeships has short-term benefits for recruitment and completion rates but carries long-term risks for workforce skills and professional development.

 A balanced approach, such as tailored support for struggling learners rather than full exemptions, could help maintain standards while ensuring inclusivity. 

Employers must weigh immediate staffing needs against the importance of a functionally skilled workforce – in a sector where precision and communication are vital.