As businesses struggle to recruit the calibre of people needed to help them thrive and grow, the importance of employability skills cannot be overstated. Foundational capabilities like problem-solving, resilience and collaboration are as critical as technical expertise. Connected is one area that remains under the spotlight, the role of essential basic skills such as Maths and English.
These subjects are often the foundation upon which all other skills are built. From ensuring apprentices meet End Point Assessment (EPA) requirements to enabling learners to fully participate in society and the workplace, the development of Maths and English skills is not just desirable, it’s essential. But it is a challenge for many providers. It saddens me that there is a significant drive to remove the Level 2 Functional Skills requirement for learners on apprenticeships that allows them to progress through Gateway and on to their EPA.
Level 2 Maths and English are deemed to be the basic level that all adults need to be able to thrive in adult life and has been a key focus from the Government for many years. As providers of opportunity for adults we need to positively embrace this and support those who are lacking in these essential life skills.
The Government’s Commitment to Skills Development
In their drive to bridge the skills gap and ‘Make Britain Great’ the government has placed a renewed emphasis on young people’s skills development through initiatives like Foundation Apprenticeships and the planned Advanced British Standard. These programmes aim to ensure that young people are better equipped with the knowledge and abilities needed for the modern workplace. Central to this vision is improving literacy and numeracy, clearly still an issue with many young people, as well as the existing work force.
As Skills England drives collaboration between employers, training providers and educational institutions, the message is clear – Maths and English are no longer just academic requirements. They are key to unlocking career potential, ensuring workplace readiness and addressing the skills shortages that currently challenge industries across the UK.
Why Maths and English Matter
Employers consistently highlight Maths and English as critical areas for their business and report that this is a significant skills gap within their workforce. Robust Maths and English skills underpin almost every aspect of work and life:
- Numeracy for Workplace Functionality: Whether calculating budgets, analysing data, or simply understanding job-specific metrics, strong numeracy skills are indispensable.
- Literacy for Effective Communication: From writing clear emails to understanding complex instructions, strong literacy skills ensure learners can contribute meaningfully to workplace goals.
- Foundation for Employability: Maths and English provide the basis for developing other essential skills, like critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration.
Challenges for Training Providers
Training providers face several challenges in embedding these skills into their programmes:
- Learners often arrive with significant gaps in Maths and English, requiring a tailored and patient approach to teaching. Particularly when coupled with poor self-esteem and bad past experiences.
- The pressure to meet Ofsted requirements and achieve “Good” or “Outstanding” grades means balancing immediate goals with long-term skill development.
- Employers’ growing expectations for work-ready recruits add another layer of responsibility and challenge.
Despite these challenges, training providers are uniquely positioned to make a lasting and positive impact. Through innovative approaches and partnerships, they can help learners not only meet their qualifications but also thrive in their future careers. It is therefore essential that rather than dumbing down the development of Maths and English, greater emphasis is placed on the importance of these skills through bringing them to life and adding real meaning and value.
The Role of Employability Skills in the Bigger Picture
City & Guilds’ research highlights a pressing need to address employability skills in tandem with technical competencies. This dual focus on rounded skill development ensures that learners are prepared for both today’s job market and the demands of the future. For instance:
- Critical Thinking in the AI Era: With AI reshaping industries, learners need strong critical thinking skills to assess and work alongside AI tools.
- Ethical Data Usage: As data becomes central to many roles, understanding how to handle it ethically is becoming a cornerstone of employability.
However, none of this is possible without a strong foundation in Maths and English. Apprenticeship and workplace training must integrate these core life skills with employability skills development to create a well-rounded, adaptable work force.
How Creating Excellence Supports Providers
At Creating Excellence, we understand the challenges and opportunities training providers face. Our tailored services:
- Embed Maths and English Skills: We help providers integrate these critical skills into their apprenticeship programmes, ensuring learners are prepared for EPA and beyond.
- Enhance Employability Training: By focusing on both foundational and future-ready skills, we enable providers to deliver holistic and meaningful education experiences.
- Strengthen Provider-Employer Collaboration: We bridge the gap between employer expectations and learner outcomes, fostering relationships that benefit all stakeholders.
The Bigger Impact: Skills for Life and Work
The government’s focus on literacy and numeracy isn’t just about meeting academic standards; it’s about equipping people with the skills they need for life. Whether managing personal finances, communicating effectively, or problem-solving in the workplace, these skills are central to long-term success.
Employers, training providers and policymakers must work together to address these gaps. By supporting learners to achieve their potential in Maths, English and employability, we can drive not only individual success but also national economic growth.
Training providers have a vital role in shaping the workforce of the future. By focusing on Maths, English and the wider employability and softer skills, they can create opportunities to succeed in life and work.
What steps are you taking to address the skills gap in your training programmes? Join the discussion in the comments below!