1. AON

2. What is AON?

3. Essential and Key Skills

4. What are Essential/key skills? These are a range of essential skills that underpin success in: – education – lifelong learning – personal development

5. Essential/Key skills qualifications (levels 1- 4) Communication Application of number (AoN) Information technology (ICT) Working with others Improving own learning and performance Problem solving

6. Who are Essential/Key Skills for? All young people post-16 Those who have not already achieved A*-C grades in GCSE English, Maths or IT Those who aim to pursue a professional or higher qualification post-19 Anyone who wants to improve their existing qualifications

7. Keys to success Brains Luck Talent

8. The brain becomes stale if you don’t challenge it Dr John Ratey, Harvard Medical School, 2001

9. What happens next? Review your initial and diagnostic assessments and your existing qualifications for – Communication – Application of Number – ICT Identify areas for improvement and development Practice and build your skills Build a portfolio of evidence

10. Building your portfolio Consider opportunities – Coursework – Interests – Work placements – School events Consider timescale

11. Be Smart – Make your key skills pay off Link across key skills for maximum coverage