Vision2learn for schools develops new Functional Skills courses for 2010

Visitors to BETT 2010 seeking information and guidance about Functional Skills will be able to visit stand V12 where Creating Careers will be discussing its new online vocational courses delivered through www.vision2learnforschools.com. The new Functional Skills, due to be rolled out across schools in England in 2010 as part of the 14-19 reform, are practical skills in English, ICT and maths, built into each of the four qualification routes of education: GCSEs, Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning. Visitors will also have the opportunity to talk to experts from Creating Careers about successfully developing personalised learning using vocational courses and online and blended study.

From next year, Functional Skills will be embedded throughout the curriculum, ensuring that learners can develop key skills to solve problems at school and in the workplace. Functional Skills can also be taken as stand-alone qualifications and schools and colleges are being incentivised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to encourage this among young people, particularly through the proposed new School Report Card, which will be introduced from 2011. The School Report Card will provide the Government’s key statement on the outcomes expected from schools, reporting on school outcomes such as pupil attainment, progress, and wellbeing.

Online courses from vision2learn for schools enable students to learn at their own pace on computers, completing units and submitting work through the online environment. They can choose units from a broad selection of modules to build a flexible, personal course of study, which meets their individual needs, which teachers can monitor and mark online. Functional Skills, like all qualifications available on vision2learn for schools, carry GCSE equivalent points and can contribute to a student’s overall achievement.

Jonathan Ovenden, Business Development Director at Creating Careers comments: “Functional Skills are vital for learners during education and beyond. There has been much talk among employers that young people leaving education do not possess the right level of English, maths and ICT skills to work effectively. We have received a large amount of feedback from our current schools which made it very clear they were keen to have stand-alone Functional Skills packages on vision2learn for schools. Our courses will help learners achieve better results in other areas of study, as well as developing their ability to operate confidently and effectively in life and work.”

Creating Careers will also be on hand to talk to visitors about its WorkSkills courses; work-related online courses focusing on subjects such as ‘Preparing for an Interview’, ‘Working in a Team’ and ‘Preparing for a Work Placement’, all accredited by Edexcel. Further courses include the new Essential IT Skills qualification, which leads to a Level 1 or 2 ITQ in IT User Skills, also on the QCF. The new QCF ITQ enables pupils to gain accreditation for the practical IT skills they already have while developing new ones. Subjects include units on improving productivity using IT, email, word processing software, database software, presentation software and spreadsheet software. Learners can pick and mix to build a personalised course of study.

For more information about vision2learn for schools contact Jonathan Ovenden at Creating Careers, Tel: 07730 402653, Email: jonathan.ovenden@creatingcareers.com, Website: www.vision2learnforschools.com.

For press enquiries, please contact Louise Peto at Livewire Public Relations, Tel: 020 8339 7440; Email: louise.peto@livewirepr.com; Website: www.livewirepr.com

Issued: 13.01.10 Ends Ref: CC103

Notes to editors:
Creating Careers (www.creatingcareers.com) is the UK’s leading provider of national qualifications online and a trusted supplier to more than 350 centres and over 100,000 learners. Its web-based e-learning services vision2learn and vision2learn for schools provide a unique and direct route to achieving nationally-recognised vocational qualifications. The e-learning services cover content, assessment, learning technology, hosting and support to learners and providers. Vision2learn for schools is the vocational alternative and addition to GCSEs, with equivalent points credited to learners.

Edexcel, a Pearson company, is the UK's largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning in the UK and internationally. In 2007 it delivered 9.6 million exam scripts in over 85 countries, with 4.5 million marked onscreen using the groundbreaking ePen technology. General qualifications taken internationally include GCSEs, AS and A Levels, IGCSEs and O Levels. Its vocational qualifications include NVQ and BTEC from entry level to Higher National Diplomas. Its entire vocational portfolio had over one million registrations across 45 countries. www.edexcel.org.uk