ABSTRACT
Formerly key skills were a compulsory part of the GNVQ: candidates had to pass the key skills assessments to gain the GNVQ qualification. The new key skills (KS) qualifications draw upon evidence from a candidate’s wider programme of study, including AS, A levels and VCEs (Hodgson and Spours, 2000). The KS qualification is optional, like all qualifications in Curriculum 2000. The key skills are:
• application of number; • communication; • information technology; • improving learning and performance; • problem solving; • working with others.
