The Importance of Digital Functional Skills

In today's digital world, having a basic understanding of technology is no longer enough. The pace of technological advancement is such that digital skills are now a fundamental part of the workplace and personal life. A 2020 report by the UK government's Digital Skills Taskforce stated that 85% of new jobs would require digital skills. However, it's clear that digital literacy is now a must-have skill, and our new Digital Functional Skills qualifications aim to provide individuals with the digital literacy they need to succeed.

It's clear that in the workplace, the use of technology has increased significantly as businesses strive to stay competitive in a society with spiralling costs. Even in our everyday life, Digital Skills have become increasingly important. We can now deal with most things online, like banking, utilities and council services. According to ONS data, shopping online makes up a quarter of all retail sales.

The Digital Skills Gap

Despite the clear need for digital skills, there is a significant digital skills gap in the workforce. The Office for National Statistics' Exploring the UK's digital divide' states that 16.4 million people in the UK need more basic digital skills, and a further 5.8 million need intermediate digital skills. This digital skills gap not only affects individuals but also has a significant impact on businesses and the economy.

The Purpose of Digital Functional Skills

Our new Digital Functional Skills qualifications have been designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of digital literacy. The qualifications cover using digital tools in different contexts, including in the workplace and personal life. The qualifications are designed to be flexible, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace and in a way that suits their needs.

The qualifications will be available at Entry Level 3 and Level 1, with 55 Guided Learning Hours for the typical learner. The assessments will be set by Awarding Organisations and be online*. Level 1 will be marked by NOCN, and Entry Level 3 will be centre marked.

The purpose of the qualifications are:

• Provide reliable evidence of a student’s achievements against content relevant to the workplace and real life.
• Provide an assessment of a student’s knowledge and skills as well as their ability to apply these in different contexts.
• Provide a foundation for progression into employment or further education and develop skills for everyday life.

NOCN Group is committed to providing individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's digital world. Our new Digital Functional Skills qualifications are just one way we are working to bridge the digital skills gap and equip individuals with the digital literacy they need to thrive.

Digital Functional Skills are essential for individuals to succeed in today's digital world. NOCN Group's new Digital Functional Skills qualifications will provide reliable evidence of a student’s achievements against content that is relevant to the workplace and real life, assess students’ knowledge and skills and their ability to apply these in different contexts, and provide a foundation for progression into employment or further education and develop skills for everyday life. We believe our qualifications will be valuable for students and educators alike.

Andrew Costello - Skills for Life Product Manager

Andrew Costello is the Skills for Life Product Manager at NOCN Group. With a strong education and product management background, Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the role. He is responsible for developing and implementing strategies for NOCN Group's Skills for Life product line, ensuring that it meets the needs of learners.

* ALL ASSESSMENTS WILL BE ONLINE EXCEPT WHERE certain REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEEDED