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Key Skills
What are Key Skills?
Key Skills are defined as the general skills that all employees need in order to be effective members of a flexible, adaptable and competitive workforce. They enable employees to progress in life and provide a learning foundation for future personal development. They are also precisely the qualities you will need to further your career in the Armed Forces.
Although they are usually associated with Apprenticeships, they are nationally recognised civilian qualifications in their own right and you will receive certificates of achievement for each one you obtain.
There are 4 levels of Key Skills; however Levels 1 & 2 are the ones you are likely to meet in your early career in the Armed Forces. Key Skills are the underpinning skills which you will need in order to get the most from your training and they will enable you to perform more effectively in your work.
Although there are 6 Key Skills subject areas, DEFLOG VQ Trust learners will only be involved with the following 3 subject areas; and only at Levels 1 and 2.
1. Application of Number
In this Key Skills unit, individuals are expected to:
- Plan and interpret information from different sources
- Carry out multi-stage calculations
- Interpret results
- Present findings
- Justify choice of methods
2. Communication
In this Key Skills unit, individuals are expected to:
- Take part in and contribute to discussions
- Give a short talk
- Read, obtain and summarise information
- Write different types of documents
3. Information Technology
In this Key Skills unit, individuals are expected to:
- Show they can search for and select information
- Explore, develop and derive new information
- Present combined information including text, images & numbers
In order to gain these Key Skills, you will need to build a small portfolio of written work showing that you are able to meet the criteria laid down. In addition, you are required to pass a short (1hr) multiple-choice on-line test. You need to successfully complete the portfolio and pass the test to gain each Key Skill qualification.
The Key Skills portfolios are built using information directly related to your working life in the Armed Forces and you will be given ample support in order to complete your work.
You should note that different Apprenticeship schemes require different mixes of Key Skills. For more information, you should refer to your own specific Apprenticeship programme or look at the detail set out in your Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
What about support to helping you gain your Key Skills qualifications?
Wherever you are posted, you will be able to find help with your Key Skills. Specialist Key Skills tutors can be found at the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at, or near, your operational or holding unit. They are there to help you and will provide with information, advice, guidance, support and teaching as required.
Why do you need Key Skills?
The Key Skills qualifications will help you perform better and enable you to progress to further training.
The Key Skills are recognised as contributing towards promotion. In all cases , if you have passed Key Skills a t Level 1 or 2, you will meet the entry requirement for the Command, Leadership & Management (CLM) course without having to sit the basic skills exams.
The Key Skills qualifications are recognised nationally by civilian employers.
Further information:
DEFLOG VQ Trust has a specialist Key Skills department. It also employs full-time professional teachers to help in individual cases. If you are looking for immediate help then you will find the Trust staff through the local LRC (contact details on this site); or via freephone 0800 0854282 (UK only)
