Lift College
020 4652 5904Start 7-day free trialFree trial0

Functional Skills for Apprenticeships: Who Needs Them and How

Find out which apprentices need Functional Skills English and maths, how requirements vary by age and level, and how to get Level 2 done before or during training.

Start 7-day free trialRequest a call back
Updated 10 min read

Knowledge hub

Most apprentices in England need English and maths at Level 2 by the end of their apprenticeship, and Functional Skills are an accepted way to achieve them. The exact requirement depends on your age at the start, the level of your apprenticeship and the qualifications you already hold. This guide sets out each case, explains how funding works and shows how to get the qualification done without delaying your end-point assessment.

TL;DR

  • Apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start must work towards English and maths up to Level 2 if they do not already hold suitable qualifications. Functional Skills are an approved route.
  • Apprentices aged 19 or over at the start can study English and maths only if their employer agrees it is part of the training plan, though many Level 3 and higher standards still set a Level 2 minimum.
  • Level 2 Functional Skills are treated as equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (formerly C). The certificate must come from an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation.
  • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different names and rules for the same idea.
  • If you want Level 2 in place before you apply or before Gateway, Lift College Functional Skills are studied online with a named UK tutor.

Table of Contents

What Functional Skills are and why apprenticeships ask for them

Functional Skills are qualifications in applied English, maths and digital skills. They test whether you can use reading, writing, speaking and number skills in practical, work-related situations rather than recall subject content. Level 2 is treated as equivalent to a GCSE grade C or 4 and above, which is why employers and training providers accept it in place of a GCSE.

Apprenticeships include an English and maths requirement because the standards assume a baseline for written reports, calculations, record keeping and communication on the job. A Level 3 engineering technician, a Level 3 early years educator and a Level 5 team leader will each use these skills differently, but the qualification check is the same.

Functional Skills are not the same as a GCSE. They are assessed through exams set at a single level, with no grades, so you either pass or you do not. GCSEs are graded 9 to 1 and cover a wider syllabus. For apprenticeship purposes, both are accepted, and which you take is usually decided at your initial assessment.

The requirement in England, by age and level

The rules below apply to apprenticeships in England. They come from the Department for Education funding rules, which are republished each year, so check the current version when you plan.

Apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start

If you begin your apprenticeship aged 16 to 18 and do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification, English and maths is a mandatory part of the programme. The apprenticeship funding rules for 2026 to 2027 set out that funding is available for you to achieve up to an approved Level 2 qualification in English and maths.

Apprentices aged 19 and over at the start

For apprentices aged 19 or over who do not already hold a suitable equivalent, English and maths is optional and is funded only if the employer agrees it forms part of the training plan, according to the same funding rules. This change took effect in 2025, and the NHS Health Education England information pack describes it as a decision for the adult apprentice’s employer.

In practice, the standard itself still matters. If the apprenticeship standard you are on requires a Level 2 in both subjects, your employer or provider will need you to meet it before you can pass Gateway to your end-point assessment. Ask your provider whether your standard sets a minimum.

Level 2 versus Level 3 and above

The requirements by apprenticeship level generally work as follows, as described in employer guidance:

The government’s guidance on English and maths requirements for apprenticeship standards at Level 2 and above is the document your provider works from. Read it alongside your standard’s assessment plan, because some standards add their own conditions.

Existing qualifications that count

If you already hold a GCSE in English language or maths at the required grade, or a suitable Functional Skills certificate, you do not need to retake it. Bring your certificates to your initial assessment. If you have lost them, the awarding organisation or your school can usually supply a replacement or a confirmation of results.

One point catches people out. The same government guidance states that Functional Skills certificates issued under the Quality Licence Scheme are not regulated by Ofqual and are not acceptable equivalents. Check that any qualification you take, or already hold, is from an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation.

Special arrangements for learning difficulties and disabilities

If you have a learning difficulty or disability that prevents you achieving the standard English and maths requirement, you may not have to reach Level 2. GOV.UK guidance on English and maths flexibilities says providers can offer an option to study at a lower level where this applies.

The same guidance sets an expectation: you should achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship, and reach Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in English and maths before the end of your apprenticeship. Speak to your training provider early. They are responsible for recording the need, agreeing adjustments and applying to the awarding organisation where access arrangements are required.

How funding works

For eligible apprentices in England, the cost of English and maths up to Level 2 is covered through the apprenticeship funding system rather than by the apprentice. The funding rules state that the government will fund an apprentice to achieve up to an approved Level 2 qualification in English and maths where they do not already hold a suitable one. The funding is claimed by the training provider, and under the rules the provider cannot claim for standalone English and maths until training has started.

The rules also require an initial assessment stage to establish whether you will study English and/or maths as part of your apprenticeship, with support delivered as set out in your signed training plan. Make sure the outcome of your initial assessment is written into that plan. If your employer agreed to include English and maths, the plan should name the subject, the level and the planned exam window.

An apprentice’s pay is separate from all of this. Your employer pays your wage, and your study time counts towards your off-the-job training hours.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The idea is the same across the UK, but the names differ. An apprenticeship guide published by a national employer explains that these are known as Functional Skills in England, Core Skills in Scotland and Essential Skills in Wales and Northern Ireland. Funding rules, age conditions and exam arrangements are set by each nation’s government, so the England rules above should not be assumed to apply elsewhere. If you live outside England, ask your apprenticeship provider which skills and levels your framework requires.

Is Functional Skills or a GCSE better for your apprenticeship?

Both meet the requirement when taken from a regulated provider, so choose on practical grounds.

  • Time. Functional Skills cover a narrower range and are usually quicker to complete. GCSEs run to a fixed exam season.
  • Format. Functional Skills exams can be taken on demand, at an approved centre, either online or on paper depending on the assessment method. Results are based on exam papers alone, with no coursework or portfolio element, according to one training provider’s guidance on the funding rules.
  • Future plans. If you intend to move to university or a course that asks for GCSE grade 4 specifically, check the entry rules. Many universities accept Level 2 Functional Skills, but some courses name GCSEs.

If your goal is simply to clear the apprenticeship requirement, Functional Skills Level 2 is usually the more direct route.

Preparing for Functional Skills alongside work

Apprentices have a job, off-the-job training and now an exam to prepare for. These habits keep the English and maths work from slipping:

  1. Start from the initial assessment. Ask for a copy of your results, so you know which skills to practise. Many apprentices only need to improve one area, such as fractions, ratio or writing a formal email.
  2. Book small, regular sessions. Three focused 40-minute sessions each week are easier to protect than one long block.
  3. Use your workplace as practice material. Measure, price, schedule and write the way your job requires. Functional Skills tasks mirror this kind of work.
  4. Practise past-style papers. Time yourself on exam-style questions, and review every wrong answer rather than just the score.
  5. Plan the exam date early. Exam slots at approved centres fill up, particularly before Gateway.

For English, reading widely helps with the reading papers, and a short daily writing habit helps with the writing task. Apprentices who want broader communication skills can also look at language study, for example an intermediate Mandarin course for those who work with international clients.

Studying Functional Skills with Lift College

Some people want their Level 2 in place before they apply for an apprenticeship, or before their end-point assessment arrives. Lift College offers Functional Skills online with named UK tutor support. Courses are Ofqual-regulated, and students can pause or cancel at any time, with no contracts or credit checks.

You can choose the subjects you need:

A 7-day free trial is available. Start with the Functional Skills entry requirements to see which level fits you, and review the pricing options for monthly and annual plans. Apprentices whose English and maths is already funded through their provider should confirm with that provider before enrolling elsewhere, so the same learning is not duplicated.

For more on how each subject is structured, read the Functional Skills Maths Level 2 guide or the combined Level 2 guide. If you are still weighing up where Level 2 can take you, see the Functional Skills career pathways.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming age 19+ means no requirement. The apprenticeship standard and your employer’s training plan still decide whether you need Level 2 before Gateway.
  • Leaving the exam until the final months. Gateway can be held up by a missing certificate. Aim to finish English and maths well before your end-point assessment window.
  • Taking an unregulated certificate. Only Ofqual-regulated qualifications count, so confirm the awarding organisation before you enrol.
  • Not telling your provider about a learning need. Adjustments and flexibilities have to be agreed and recorded; they cannot be applied afterwards.
  • Forgetting existing certificates. A GCSE at the right grade can remove the requirement altogether.

FAQ

Do I need Functional Skills to start an apprenticeship?

Not always. Providers often set Level 1 as a minimum for Level 2 apprenticeships and Level 2 for Level 3 and above, and some employers ask for it at recruitment. Others accept you without it and build the study into your training plan. Ask the employer and provider which applies to your standard.

Is a Functional Skill the same as a GCSE?

They are not identical, but Level 2 Functional Skills are treated as equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (formerly C) for apprenticeship purposes. Functional Skills are pass or fail and test practical use of English and maths, whereas GCSEs are graded and cover more content.

Can I be exempt from English and maths in my apprenticeship?

Yes, in some cases. If you already hold suitable qualifications, you do not need to retake them. Apprentices with a learning difficulty or disability that prevents them reaching the standard requirement may be offered a lower level, with Entry Level 3 as the expected minimum by the end of the apprenticeship.

Who pays for apprenticeship Functional Skills?

For eligible apprentices in England, English and maths up to Level 2 is funded through the apprenticeship funding rules and claimed by the training provider. Check your training plan to see what has been agreed and who delivers it.

Sources

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Lift College team. It is provided for general information and does not replace personalised advice. For guidance on your specific situation, contact our learner support team on info@liftcollege.co.uk.

Back to the knowledge hub