Functional Skills Maths – How to overcome your barriers

Learners who are enrolling onto an Apprenticeship will find out whether or not they need to complete Functional Skills Maths. This can be daunting for someone who has always struggled with these, and you could be wondering what you would need to do. 

We will discuss Functional Skills Maths, including what you need to do, how you can overcome barriers, and how it impacts your Apprenticeship. 

Functional skills Maths is a level of training and qualifications for Maths. This is equivalent to a level 2, or GCSE. 

This provides learners the opportunity to gain their Maths qualification if they didn’t prior to the Apprenticeship. 

Completed along side your Apprenticeship, you will complete training and examination. This is offered to allow each individual the opportunity to progress into employment, and prompt logical thinking which can be expected in workplace settings. 

Functional Skills are embedded into Apprenticeship programmes and are essential across all sectors.  

If functional skills are required, apprentices must first achieve their Maths and/or English qualifications before sitting their End Point Assessment (EPA). 

If maths feels difficult, you’re not alone. Many learners experience negative thoughts linked to past experiences, such as: 

• It reminds me of school
• I don’t want to do it
• I’m rubbish at maths
• It’s hard to remember everything
• It’s not part of my apprenticeship area

These thoughts are common, but they don’t define your ability. 

Maths plays an important role in everyday life. It helps us organise information, solve problems, and make decisions. In fact, we often use maths without even realising it, such as calculating the total cost of shopping, and even managing time and budgets. 

Building confidence in maths takes time, but small steps can make a big difference. Here are some ways to support your progress: 

Short, consistent study sessions can help you build confidence over time. Avoid studying for long periods of time, as that can cause burnout and more stress. 

This helps you become familiar with the types of questions you may face. Also knowing the typical framework as to how the equations are shown will make you prepared for all kinds of questions posed. 

Studying for shorter periods can help improve concentration and retention. 

Understanding the process behind the answer is just as important as getting the final result. Keep showing your workings on paper, as that can sometimes give you an extra mark. 

If you’re struggling or feeling unsure, ask for support. Trainers are there to help you succeed. 

Remember that improving in maths is a process, and progress comes with practice. Celebrate the little wins to keep you motivated.