Following confirmation from OfQual, we are pleased to announce that the Wider Key Skills will be extended in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These qualifications have been extended in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The last date for candidate registration will be the 31st August 2012, with final certification by 31st August 2013 for Level 1, 31st August 2014 for Level 2 and 31st August 2015 for Level 3. Wider Key Skills qualifications are a suitable way of accrediting Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS).
Important: The last date for candidate registration for the Main Key Skills qualifications (Application of Number, Communication and Information Communication Technology) is 31 August 2010, with claims for certification to be made by 31 August 2012.
Key Skills are skills that are commonly needed for success in a range of activities in education and training, work and life in general. They are:
Key Skills
Wider Key Skills
Evidence for the Key Skills may be drawn from work undertaken within: GCSE; GCE; AVCE; GNVQ and NVQ Qualifications; ASDAN programmes; Work Experience; employment; voluntary; or youth work.
The Key Skills qualifications aim to develop and recognise each candidate’s ability to apply these skills in ways that are appropriate to different contexts and to improve the quality of their learning and performance. They are intended for everyone, from pupils in schools to chief executives in large companies.
Each Key Skill/Wider Key Skill is worth 18.8 points at Level 1, 34.5 points at Level 2 and 63 points at Level 3. To download a full list of ASDAN qualifications codes and performance points, click here.
The following information is available from the QCDA website:
Click the links below to download ASDAN information flyers:
Key Skills pages from ASDAN Bulletins:
Please click here for details of Wider Key Skills workshops, including forthcoming dates.
Due to the generic and flexible delivery approach used with Wider Key Skills, no definitive delivery time (Guided Learning Hours) is specified. However, it is anticipated that each Wider Key Skill will take approximately 30 to 40 hours, based on guidance for delivery and funding at Post-16 - see the following link:
Download example tests from the QCDA website for Application of Number, Communication and ICT.
Registered centres may download additional practice tests and mark schemes from the secure page.
eAssessment
ASDAN is now able to offer online tests for Key Skills and Basic Skills (Adult Literacy and Numeracy – ALAN). Click here for more information.
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Chief Examiner's Reports
Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working. Special Consideration is a post-examination adjustment reflecting temporary injury, illness or other indisposition at the time of the examination/assessment.
Click on the links below to download guidance and the relevant forms:
Q: How much does this ASDAN qualification cost?
A: Click here to access the costs page, which features information about registration costs for ASDAN Qualifications. Please also take into account the annual centre registration fee, if your centre is not yet registered with ASDAN.
Q: How can my centre start running Key Skills?
A: If you are not yet registered with ASDAN, your first step is to complete an Application for Centre Registration Form.
Current ASDAN centres need to ensure that Key Skills is added to their centre's registration. To do this, please complete an Additional Networks Registration Form.
Following registration, you will be able to access additional resources and guidance via the secure area of the ASDAN website.
ASDAN also provides introductory training workshops and can arrange in-house training.
Q: Are there any additional fees?
A: The following charges may be made to centres in the event of late registrations, entries and withdrawals, and for enquiries and appeals.
Q: Who is in the Key Skills Admin team at ASDAN Central Office?
Once your centre is registered with ASDAN for Key Skills, you can access further information and resources via the website's Secure Area.
It contains all relevant updates, essential documents, meeting information and resources and enables you to:
There is no limit to the number of people from a centre who can register for a Secure Area password. You can register for a password online, by clicking here to access the request form.
