Core Skills in Higher Still

Introduction to Core Skills
What are Core Skills?

These are the skills you need to help you succeed in

learning – at school, college or university – now and throughout your life

working - in the office, factory, shop, hospital or any workplace

dealing with problems and issues – in your personal life and in the community.

Are Core Skills new?

Core Skills have always been part of education in school and colleges, but now you will be able to achieve recognised national qualifications in five Core Skills. These will be included in your Scottish Qualifications Certificate.

How will Core Skills help me when I leave school?

Employers, colleges and universities are increasingly recognising the value of core skills as important additions to subject based qualifications.

How may I achieve Core Skill Qualifications?

Most Standard Grade and Higher Still Courses include at least one achievable Core Skill. There are also individual units for Core Skills at all levels.

What are the five Core Skills?

The five Core Skills are:

Communication

This has two component parts:

Oral Communication – listening and talking
Written Communication – reading and writing.

Some practical examples: taking part in discussions, explaining directions, writing letters, keeping written records, understanding instruction manuals, telephoning, reading books, magazines and newspapers.

Numeracy

This has two component parts:

Using Graphical information – understanding graphs, tables and diagrams
Using Numbers – understanding how to use numbers to do measurements and calculations.

Some practical examples: getting information from magazines or the Internet; working with money; measuring rooms for carpets or wallpaper; doing calculations in mathematics or science.

Problem Solving

This has three component parts:

Critical Thinking – thinking about all aspects of a situation or problem
Planning and Organising – making decisions about what to do, making arrangements and plans and carrying them out
Reviewing & Evaluating – looking back at what has been done, judging how successful the plan was and what improvements could be made in the future.

Some practical examples: making travel arrangements; dealing with challenges at work; carrying out home improvements.

Information Technology (IT)

This involves

Using Information Technology – finding, processing, presenting and communicating information.

Some practical examples: using the internet, CD-ROMs, the e-mail system and software packages; word processing; preparing documents.

Working with Others

This involves

Working with Others – making a contribution to the planning and carrying out of a task or activity in co-operation with other people.

Some practical examples: taking part in a work placement; carrying out an investigation; learning languages.