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Skills

Every skill has its own level

Saffa Skills doesn’t give you one overall grade. Each skill is recorded on its own, at the level you can actually demonstrate, from Starter to Expert.

Five levels, per skill

  1. Level 1: Starter
  2. Level 2: Capable
  3. Level 3: Proficient
  4. Level 4: Advanced
  5. Level 5: Expert

The five levels

From Starter to Expert

The same five levels apply to every skill, whether that’s sending an email or securing a network.

  1. Level 1

    Starter

    Can do it with guidance, following clear steps.

  2. Level 2

    Capable

    Can do it independently in familiar, everyday situations.

  3. Level 3

    Proficient

    Can do it well, handle variations and fix common problems.

  4. Level 4

    Advanced

    Can handle complex or unusual situations and guide others.

  5. Level 5

    Expert

    Can set the standard, design approaches and teach it deeply.

How levels work

Fair to people with real experience

  • No global learner level

    Nobody is labelled a “beginner” or “advanced learner”. Levels belong to skills, not people.

  • Prior experience counts

    If you can already do something, you can show it and move on, instead of sitting through what you know.

  • Demonstrated evidence matters

    A level is recorded from practical tasks and projects, not from time spent watching lessons.

Illustrative example: one person’s skills

  • Writing a professional emailCommunication4 · Advanced
  • Handling a customer complaintCustomer Service3 · Proficient
  • Building a simple budget in a spreadsheetOffice2 · Capable
  • Verifying AI-generated claimsAI1 · Starter

Illustrative only, not a real learner. The same person can be at level 4 in one skill and level 1 in another.

Skill families

Twelve families of skills

Skills are grouped into families so it’s easy to see strengths and gaps at a glance. They build the eight capability layers.

  • Human

    Confidence, judgement, reliability and problem solving.

    Example skills: Solving unfamiliar problems · Managing your own learning

  • Digital

    Devices, files, email, online forms and staying safe online.

    Example skills: Organising files and folders · Spotting online scams

  • AI

    Using AI to research, draft and analyse, and checking what it produces.

    Example skills: Verifying AI-generated claims · Protecting confidential information

  • Business

    Customers, costs, pricing, profit and running operations.

    Example skills: Calculating a margin · Building a simple cash-flow model

  • Customer Service

    Helping customers, handling complaints and knowing when to escalate.

    Example skills: Handling a return · Calming a frustrated customer

  • Communication

    Speaking, writing and listening clearly at work.

    Example skills: Writing a professional email · Asking for clarification

  • Office

    Documents, spreadsheets, scheduling and records.

    Example skills: Building a tidy spreadsheet · Managing a shared calendar

  • Data

    Cleaning, analysing and presenting information.

    Example skills: Summarising data in a chart · Cleaning a messy list

  • Software

    Programming, building and maintaining software.

    Example skills: Using version control · Testing code

  • Cybersecurity

    Protecting people, systems and information.

    Example skills: Setting up two-step verification · Recognising a phishing attempt

  • Leadership

    Supervising people, making decisions and leading change.

    Example skills: Running a team check-in · Giving useful feedback

  • Industry / occupational

    The practical skills of a specific trade, role or industry.

    Example skills: Keeping digital farm records · Writing a job quotation

How skills are recorded in the Skills Passport

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