Functional Skills Training: How Employers Can Benefit

Are you looking for a way to improve your employees' skills? If so, functional skills training may be the answer. This type of training will help employees learn essential skills needed for the workplace which in turn gives an added benefit to employers by improving productivity and reducing costs. 

Learn more about how functional and employability skills training can benefit both employees and employers in this blog post. 

What are functional skills? 

Functional skills are the essential English, maths and digital skills that people need to equip them to function effectively for life and work purposes. Functional skills courses are available in England from Entry 1 to Level 2 and are nationally recognised. These courses can help employees gain the practical skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. 

Functional skills courses explore reallife applications of English, maths and digital skills. These courses are recognised by employers and can help employees develop transferable skills that are needed in every workplace. 

Many employees worry that admitting they need help in basic functional skills will lead to them losing their job, not being promoted, or being seen as ineffective by colleagues and managers. 

To avoid this, they may adopt coping strategies such as relying on colleagues, avoiding certain tasks, or taking longer than necessary to check and recheck emails, reports, or data, all of which can impact performance and morale. 

Why are functional skills important? 

Young people and adults need functional skills in order to progress at work, in education, or in life. These can be delivered as a standalone qualification or as part of an apprenticeship programme. Learners will gain the ability to solve problems by applying their knowledge with real-life context examples that are relevant for them! 

Investing in functional skills is essential for effective communication, data interpretation, problem solving, and digital navigation — competencies employers value highly. 

What are functional skills equivalent to? 

Functional skills qualifications are respected alternatives to traditional academic qualifications. For example, a Functional Skills Level 2 course would be equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (formerly grade C). 

Although functional skills courses are not the same as GCSEs, functional skills focus on learning these skills through everyday situations. Alternatively, GCSEs are academic qualifications, which are better suited to prepare learners for further study. 

Functional skills examples 

There are three main areas of functional skills — English, maths and digital skills: 

English 

Students learning English learn the fundamentals of using language effectively in both work and personal settings. These skills help them apply spelling, punctuation and grammar rules correctly when communicating via written methods, which leads to improved effectiveness and confidence within their career. 

Maths 

Mathematics covers numbers, data handling and measuring. To prepare for the mathematics section of an exam, students will learn about various mathematical concepts, such as doing arithmetic, interpreting data, and solving problems. 

The exam is designed to test skills in solving mathematical problems, making decisions with numbers and performing numerical reasoning tasks. It can be taken online once the learning material has been completed. 

Digital Skills 

The digital skills assessment tests the ability to use computers and the internet for research, communication and other key functions. Students will need access to a computer with the internet in order to take the test. 

Digital skills are increasingly vital in today’s workplace, where collaboration tools, cloud based systems and email communication are everyday essentials. 

How do functional skills help businesses grow? 

Employers can benefit from functional skills training in a number of ways. These courses can help businesses: 

• Operate with greater efficiency 

• Increase productivity and competitiveness 

• Improve employee problem-solving abilities 

• Help employees better understand and comply with workplace policies and procedures 

• Improve morale and staff retention rates 

With the right support and resources, workers can achieve their goals and become valuable assets to the company. If you’re looking for a way to improve your business’ performance, consider implementing a functional skills training programme. 

Functional skills help employees communicate more effectively, work confidently with numbers, and engage more fully in digital tasks — all of which are essential in modern workplaces. 

By offering qualifications to employees who weren’t able to access them at school, your business will benefit in many aspects — from better internal communication to improved accuracy in everyday tasks. 

What is a skills gap? 

Functional skills training is a key part of tackling the skills gap that many employers continue to report.  

A skills gap is the difference between the skills that employers need and the skills that workers currently have. When employees or job applicants don’t possess the knowledge, abilities, or experience required to perform certain tasks effectively, that gap can limit productivity, innovation, and business growth. 

Government research highlights the ongoing skill gap in England and the need for functional skills training. 

How can you help improve an employee’s functional skills? 

Functional skills are an important part of business growth and development. By investing in your employees and helping them to improve their functional skills, businesses can see improvements in many areas such as productivity, employee retention and engagement. 

Here at Total People, we offer free functional skills courses in English, maths and digital skills to help businesses invest in their employees and support their growth. Explore our functional skills and English & maths training options to find the right pathway for your team  

Whether you are equipping new hires with essential capabilities or helping existing staff build confidence and competence, functional skills training can make a real difference. 

Take the next step and improve your team 

Invest in your workforce’s potential. Discover how tailored apprenticeships and employer training solutions from Total People Work Based Training Solutions can help you upskill staff, close skills gaps, and boost productivity with expert support on funding and development. 

Start building a stronger team with training solutions designed around your business needs. 

For individuals and learners 

Looking to earn while you learn? Explore exciting opportunities through Total People apprenticeships and find apprenticeships that match your interests and career goals., allowing you to build functional skills and gain experience.  

With invaluable on-the-job experience and nationally recognised qualifications, apprenticeships can be the launchpad to a successful career. 

Total People can help 

Have questions about courses or want personalised support? Contact the Total People team today. Whether you want to discuss employer training options, learner pathways, or funding support, our advisors are ready to help.