Provision Type

The data below illustrates the breakdown of provision type based on funding. Overall, the split is fairly equal between adult learners (ASF or Mayoral Funding) and pre 16 learners. Interestingly, adult learners were more likely to be taking Essential Digital Skills qualifications whereas pre 16s most often took Digital Functional Skills qualifications.

Funding streams used by respondents:

• Adult Skills Fund or Mayoral Funding – 32%
• 16-18 Study Programmes – 23%
• Pre-16 – 29%
• Apprenticeships – 10%
• Other - 6%

The Value of Digital Qualifications

Reviewing the practitioner’s responses, we can see trends in what people saw as the value of the qualifications.

Builds Learner Confidence

Both Functional Skills and Essential Skills practitioners agree that the skills the learners develop help them gain confidence in using digital tools in their lives. One Functional Skills practitioner stated, “Some adult learners come to the course with little confidence about using technology and what they appreciate is the structure of the course. It covers a variety of topics and provides an opportunity to learn about different aspects of digital tasks.” An Essential Skills practitioner added that the course covered “day-to-day computer literacy” and it enabled the learners “to do things that they could not previously with the technology they already have.”

Supports Employability and Independence

Linked with the idea that the qualifications build learner confidence, practitioners also highlighted that both qualifications supported the employability and independence of their learners. Learners acquire practical skills such as online communication, managing information and digital safety, enhancing their ability to function in work and daily tasks. As one practitioner wrote “Learners use digital skills constantly, but not always effectively or safely. Digital Functional Skills helps them: apply for jobs online; use email, forms, and digital documents confidently; and access services like banking, healthcare, and education.” Another commented about Essential Digital Skills that “the course is very valuable for learners as most of them are wanting to get back into work and they need to develop or brush up on their digital skills. As the course covers so much, they have a well-rounded set of skills at the end.”

Facilitates Progression and Accessibility

Many practitioners talked about how the qualifications serve as a valuable, accessible stepping stone for learners who may not follow traditional academic routes. One stated that the qualifications are “...particularly powerful for FE learners. For learners who may struggle with traditional academic routes, Digital Functional Skills offers clear, achievable outcomes, practical learning they can see the benefit of immediately and a qualification that validates skills they use every day.” Another wrote it “supports our Careers programme [and] ensures we can offer an IT qualification as we don't have space for a Computing GCSE. Excellent staging post for learners so they have success early.” A practitioner working with SEND learners added, “It's an accessible qualification for our learners, giving them a credited award in IT when they might not be able to access GCSE.”

The overall value of both Digital Functional Skills and Essential Digital Skills can be best summarised in one final set of comments from practitioners:

• “[They] provide learners with the foundational digital competencies required to participate confidently in modern society."
• “[They] turn ‘I can use a phone’ into ‘I can function independently in a digital world.’”
• “For many learners, especially those who’ve had negative experiences with education, mastering practical digital tasks is a huge confidence boost. They move from avoiding technology to problem-solving with it - which is empowering.”

Really, what more can we ask for from these qualifications or any other set of qualifications!