What are functional skills?

Functional Skills qualifications are nationally recognised qualifications in English and maths, designed to give apprentices the essential skills they need for work, study, and everyday life.

For many apprentices, completing Functional Skills at the right level is a requirement of their apprenticeship programme.

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The requirement under the 2025/26 funding rules

According to the Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26:

Learners who do not already hold a GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 4/C orabove in English and maths must complete Functional Skills as part of their apprenticeship.

Learners who do not already hold a GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 4/C orabove in English and maths must complete Functional Skills as part of their apprenticeship.

Functional Skills must be achieved before the End-Point Assessment (EPA)can be taken.

Functional Skills must be achieved before the End-Point Assessment (EPA)can be taken.

Employers and learners may agree to opt out of Functional Skills delivery ifthe learner already holds sufficient qualifications, or if the employer confirms inwriting that they do not want the learner to complete them. In these cases, the apprenticeship will proceed without Functional Skills.

Employers and learners may agree to opt out of Functional Skills delivery ifthe learner already holds sufficient qualifications, or if the employer confirms inwriting that they do not want the learner to complete them. In these cases, the apprenticeship will proceed without Functional Skills.

How we deliver functional skills

At Impact Academy, we partner with PASS Functional Skills for the delivery, learning resources, and examinations.

Through PASS, learners have access to:

  • Online learning platform with interactive resources, practice questions, and mock tests.
  • On-demand exam booking – learners can sit exams from home with remote invigilation, or at an approved test centre.
  • Tutor support for learners who need additional guidance in maths and English.
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Example questions

To give you a feel for what Functional Skills questions look like, here are some examples:

Maths (Level 2 example)

Question:

A training provider orders 75 pens at £1.20 each. They also pay a delivery charge of £9.95. What is the total cost of the order?

Answer:

  • 75 × £1.20 = £90.00
  • £90.00 + £9.95 = £99.95

English (Level 2 example – Writing)

Question:

Write an email to your manager explaining why you would like to attend a professional development course. Include at least two reasons and use a formal tone.

Sample Answer (short extract):

Dear Manager,

I would like to attend the upcoming digital marketing course as it will help me develop new skills in data analysis and campaign planning, which are directly relevant to my role. In addition, gaining a recognised qualification will allow me to support the wider team more effectively...

Recording and progress

Learners will complete their Functional Skills learning and exams via the PASS portal. Progress is tracked online, with results available quickly after assessment.

(Insert screenshot here – e.g. learner dashboard showing English and Maths progress, mock test completion, and exam booking options.)

Key takeaways

Functional Skills ensure learners have essential English and maths skills.

Functional Skills ensure learners have essential English and maths skills.

If the learner already meets the requirement (e.g. GCSE grade 4/C or above),they can opt out with employer agreement.

If the learner already meets the requirement (e.g. GCSE grade 4/C or above),they can opt out with employer agreement.

We partner with PASS Functional Skills for high-quality online delivery andexams.

We partner with PASS Functional Skills for high-quality online delivery andexams.

Learners benefit from interactive resources, practice tests, and flexible exam booking.

Learners benefit from interactive resources, practice tests, and flexible exam booking.

Ready to get started? Once you enrol with Impact Academy, we’ll check whether Functional Skills are required for your apprenticeship and get you set up with the PASS portal if needed.

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