What are key/core skills?

If you have not achieved the necessary GCSE qualifications, then you will need to complete key/core skills.

Key/Core Skills are a range of skills that are vital to your education, employment and personal development, and are essential for the completion of an apprenticeship programme.

Key Skills in England and Wales include:

• Communication - Level 2
• Application of Number - Level 2
• Information Technology (IT) - Level 1 HVACR only
• Information Technology (IT) - Level 2 student engineer/technician

Core Skills in Scotland include:

• Communication - Intermediate 2
• Working with others - Intermediate 2
• Information Technology - Access 3
• Numeracy - Intermediate 2
• Problem Solving* - Intermediate 2

*This core skill is embedded within the framework and is not separately certificated.

To achieve these Key/Core Skills, you are expected to keep a portfolio of work carried out during your apprenticeship.