Essential Skills Wales: How we’re adding value to vital numeracy qualifications
Qualifications Manager Andrew Shipway outlines our proposals for reforming the Essential Skills Wales application of number qualifications.
Numeracy is a vital life skill. Whether calculating costs, interpreting graphs and charts, or making informed decisions, strong number skills help learners navigate everyday challenges in work, life and beyond. As part of our wider reforms to Essential Skills Wales, we are proposing changes to the application of number qualifications to ensure they remain relevant, engaging and manageable for learners and centres.
These proposals form part of our public consultation on the design requirements for new Essential Skills Wales qualifications, open until 5 February 2026. Below, we summarise the key changes we are proposing and why they matter.
Updated, relevant content
Our proposals update and clarify the knowledge and skills learners need in: We want these qualifications to support the numeracy skills that matter most to learners - those that help them learn, work and fully participate in everyday life.
- number
- geometry and measures
- statistics
The refined expectations include:
- additional content relating to financial literacy
- removing content in relation to planning
- allowing access to a calculator for most questions
- applying numeracy to real life contexts
We want these qualifications to support the numeracy skills that matter most to learners - those that help them learn, work and fully participate in everyday life.
A clearer, more coherent structure across levels
Our recent review highlighted that the current application of number qualifications can sometimes duplicate knowledge and skills across levels, making progression less distinct than it could be.
To address this, we are proposing to:
- strengthen the progression pathway, ensuring that learners build skills in a clear and logical way from entry level to level 2
- improve the organisation of skills within the qualification, grouping related numeracy competencies so that centres and learners can easily see how skills develop as levels increase
A more manageable assessment model
One of the most consistent messages from providers was that current assessments, particularly controlled tasks at levels 1 and 2, can be lengthy and difficult to deliver within time constraints.
To address this, we are proposing two streamlined assessments at levels 1 and 2:
- Assessment 1 will be a test available to be taken on-screen or on paper, with a mix of calculator and non-calculator questions. The on-screen version will be automatically marked.
- Assessment 2 will be another externally set test, designed to allow learners to demonstrate their skills related to multi-step calculations, or the mathematical skills that don’t lend themselves well to be tested on-screen with auto-marking. Learners will be allowed to use a calculator. This assessment will also be externally marked.
This approach reduces the assessment burden on centres and improves consistency through external marking. It also shortens the overall assessment time for learners, supporting manageability without compromising reliability.
A different approach for entry level
At entry level, we believe a test is not necessary. Instead, we propose that learners can be assessed through alternative arrangements. This reflects the different purpose of entry level qualifications and allows learners to demonstrate their skills in more flexible ways.
A new qualification title
We are also proposing to rename the qualification Essential Numeracy Skills, as this title better reflects the core purpose of the qualification and helps clearly distinguish the new qualifications from the existing application of number qualifications.
Proposed removal of level 3
Our review shows that interest in Level 3 Essential Application of Number Skills is low. Most learners take level 3 to upskill for level 2 delivery, challenge themselves, or meet certain apprenticeship requirements. We believe other qualifications can better support upskilling and provide challenge to learners.
With upcoming updates to apprenticeship frameworks, Level 3 Essential Skills Wales would no longer be a requirement on apprenticeship frameworks if it is unavailable. This change would align Wales’ frameworks with England’s, which only require level 2. To prevent extra barriers for Welsh learners, we propose discontinuing Level 3 Essential Application of Number Skills once new qualifications replace the current legacy options.
Have Your Say
Your feedback is essential in shaping the future of Essential Skills Wales. The consultation is open until 5 February 2026, and we encourage learners, tutors, employers and providers to share their views. You can read the full proposals and respond through our Have Your Say site.