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Essential Skills

Entry Level Level 1 and 2 Digital ICT

Why Essential Skills are important?

Essential Skills qualifications can be really life-changing. They have helped people to:

  • read news articles for the first time to find out what is happening in their community
  • fill in an application form and get a job as a result
  • help their children with their homework for the first time
  • use the internet to keep in touch with family and friends

Centre Information

Please find below important information in relation to the delivery of Essential Skills Qualifications. 

Click here to download the Essential Skills Standards & Curriculum

Entry Level

Entry Level 1-3 Numeracy

The aim of this qualification is to improve the learners’ ability to understand, use, calculate and manipulate mathematical information and interpret results.

Below we have provided exemplar material that uses the 'Party' theme.

Student Answer Booklet (E1)
Student Answer Booklet (E2-3)
Tutor Guide Exemplar

Entry Level 1-3 Literacy

The aim of this qualification is to improve the learners’ ability to: speak, listen and respond; read and comprehend and write to communicate.

Below we have provided exemplar material that uses the 'Giants Causeway' theme.

Student Answer Booklet (E1)
Student Answer Booklet (E2-3)
Assessment Scheme
Tutor Guide & Script

Level 1 and 2

Application of Number

The aim of this qualification is to improve the learners’ ability to understand, use, calculate and manipulate mathematical information and interpret results.

Level 1
Level 2

Communication

The aim of this qualification is to improve the learners’ ability to speak, listen, respond and engage in discussion; read, obtain and understand information and write to communicate.

Level 1
Level 2

ICT

The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to hit the ground running in the world of work. 

Level 1
Level 2

New Suite of Digital ICT Essential Skills

Starting September 2025, the new and improved suite of Digital ICT Essential Skills will be available. See below for more information.

Entry 3

The objective of the OCN NI Entry Level 3 Certificate in Essential Skills – Digital ICT qualification includes the following five skills areas:

  • using devices and handling information
  • creating and editing
  • communicating
  • transacting
  • being safe and responsible online
Entry 3 - Digital ICT

Level 1

The objective of the OCN NI Level 1 Certificate in Essential Skills – Digital ICT qualification includes the following five skills areas:

  • using devices and handling information
  • creating and editing
  • communicating
  • transacting
  • being safe and responsible online
Level 1 - Digital ICT

Level 2

The objective of the OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills – Digital ICT qualification includes the following five skills areas:

  • advanced communicating
  • document creating and editing
  • number handling
  • digital marketing and social media
  • advanced graphics
Level 2 - Digital ICT