6
6
Understanding skills levels
Skills are divided into levels, based on national standards.
Skill levels start at entry (itself divided into three sub-levels) and go up to level 8.
What the levels mean
■■
Entry levels 1, 2, 3: Limited knowledge and skills
■■
Level 1: Basic knowledge and skills, can work under direct supervision in a
structured setting
■■ Level 2: Good knowledge of work area, can perform tasks independently with some
supervision – Level 2 is the baseline skills level for occupational competence
■■ Level 3: Detailed knowledge and skills, can take responsibility for work – Level 3 skills are
associated with supervision
Understanding
skills levels
■■ Levels 4 to 8: Knowledge and skills suitable for technical, professional and
management-level work – with expertise increasing at each level
Skill levels for core skills
National standards define skill Levels for functional communication, number and digital skills,
which start at Entry Level 3.
Levels for functional communication, number and digital skills
Entry Level 3 skills include:
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
write a message for a colleague
read and follow simple instructions
greet colleagues and customers effectively
write simple number sequences accurately
use a calculator to check totals
complete a stock control sheet
use a computer mouse and keyboard, perform a basic internet search.
Level 1 skills include:
■■ write straightforward emails
■■ complete an accident report form
■■ read and understand short reports
■■ understand a payslip
■■ understand graphs and charts
■■ manage time effectively
■■ produce a word document, save to a file, send an e-mail.
Level 2 skills include:
■■ contribute to meetings effectively
■■ read and understand a technical manual
■■ write a supporting statement ■■ calculate area and volume accurately
■■ select and compare different prices and
■■ weigh, measure to required tolerances
■■ produce a word document, save to a file, send an e-mail.
Understanding skills levels
Levels for English language skills
National standards define skill levels for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
These levels start at Entry Level 1 and go up to Level 2.
The levels are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
(CEFR)1 which offers a useful set of level descriptors (no such ESOL descriptors exist). The
CEFR starts at A1 – basic user level – which is equivalent to Entry 1 and goes up to C2 –
proficient user level – which equates to a set of skills at Level 3. The CEFR scale therefore goes
higher than the ESOL scale, which ends at Level 2 – equivalent to C1 on the CEFR scale.
ESOL and CEFR levels compared
ESOL QCF levels
Entry 1
Entry 2
Entry 3
Level 1
Level 2
QCF level 3
(beyond ESOL skill levels)
CEFR levels
Basic user
A1
A2
Independent user
B1
B2
Proficient user
C1
C2
CEFR level descriptors
1. Basic User – ESOL QCF levels Entry 1 and Entry2 / CEFR levels A1 and A2
ESOL QCF Entry Level 1 / CEFR level A1: Can understand and use familiar everyday
expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can
introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details
such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a
simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
1 Council of Europe (2001) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning,
teaching, assessment. Strasbourg: Council of Europe / Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p24
Understanding
skills levels
ESOL QCF Entry Level 2 / CEFR level A2: Can understand sentences and frequently used
expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance such as very basic personal and
family information, shopping, local geography, employment. Can communicate in simple and
routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine
matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment
and matters in areas of immediate need.
2. Independent User – ESOL QCF levels Entry 3 and Level 1 / CEFR levels B1 and B2
Entry Level 3 / B1: Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters
regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise
whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text
on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events,
dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and
plans.
Level 1 / B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract
topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a
degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite
possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of
subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages
of various options.
3. Proficient User – ESOL QCF level 2 and QCF level 3 / CEFR levels C1 and C2
Level 2 / C1: Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit
meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching
for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional
purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing
controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices
Level 3 / C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise
information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts
in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely,
differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
What ESOL/CEFR level does work
in adult social care require?
Extensive work undertaken with migrant workers employed in adult social care in Sweden
suggests that staff need a minimum ESOL Level 1 / CEFR level B2 to work safely and meet
quality standards. Staff with language skills at ESOL Entry Level 3 / CEFR level B1 will cope
in many, but by no means all situations. Staff whose English falls below this level lack the
language skills to work safely and meet quality standards.
Understanding skills levels
Levels for employability skills
There are no national standards – and therefore no recognised skill levels – for employability
skills, however the Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care, (QCF unit ref:
PWCS 08) identifies the following skills and attitudes as essential for work in adult social care:
Write and speak so that others listen and understand.
Read and understand information shown in a variety of ways including, written and spoken
English.
Listen and ask questions to understand other people’s points of view.
Understand the need to be reliable and dependable.
Give examples of a care worker acting responsibly and being accountable in a care work
setting.
Understand the purpose of policies and procedures in a social care workplace.
Demonstrate an ability to assess situations and identify problems and suggest solutions in
a social care workplace scenario.
Know how to help ‘customers’ and deal with their questions and problems.
Demonstrate willingness to work in a team.
Demonstrate an ability to work well with others.
Be open and respond well to simple changes.
Show interest, initiative and effort.
Understand the need to gain skills and knowledge to support and develop your work.
Be willing to learn from mistakes and accept feedback and offer feedback to others in a
positive way.
Be willing to reflect on practice and improve.
Be willing to share skills and to provide feedback to others in a positive way.
Be able to use every day technology such as mobile phones, email applications and basic
word processing.
Be able to make estimates and check calculations for accuracy.
Understand how to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers and give examples of when
each should be used in day to day social care work.
Observe and record data accurately and legibly.
Understanding
skills levels
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Understanding skills levels
Qualifications and skill levels
Level 8
Level 7
Level 6
Level 5
Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Higher Apprenticeship
Foundation
Degree
Higher national
Diploma
Level 3
Health and Social Care Diploma Advanced Apprenticeship
A Level (AS & A2) L3 Diploma (National
Diploma)
Level 2
Health and Social Care Diploma
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 4
Functional skills qualifications Certificate in GCSE (Grades
English, Maths, ESOL
A* - C)
L2 (1st Diploma)
Baseline skills level required for occupational competence
Level 1
Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Functional Skills qualifications
GCSE
Care
Certificate, Award in English, Maths, ESOL (Grades D-G)
Entry 3
Functional Skills qualifications
Certificate, Award in English, Maths, ESOL
Entry 2
Certificate, Award in English, Maths, ESOL
Entry 1
Certificate, Award in English, Maths, ESOL
L1 Diploma
(Foundation)
E3 Diploma
(Foundation)