National Occupational Standards
A National Occupational Standard (NOS) is a document that describes the knowledge, skills and understanding an individual needs to be competent at a job.
How NOS are used
NOS can be used in many different ways. Awarding Bodies can create qualifications to train individuals for a job. These qualifications can then be used in an Apprenticeship Framework or a training programme.
Employers can create a job description to recruit new staff or a training plan to develop their skills. Also, individuals can research different types of jobs and match their skills/experience to those that are needed.
National Occupational Standards Strategy 2022 and beyond
Building on the strong foundation of the NOS brand, the strategy aims to make NOS even more usable and accessible and recognises the need for cross-cutting standards for transferrable skills such as leadership and management and digitals skills, to facilitate movement between sectors. The strategy also outlines plans to make NOS processes and systems more agile and accessible which includes continuing work to improve the NOS database and website. The NOS Strategy 2022 and beyond can be accessed via the following link:
UK Standards database
All of the completed and approved NOS are kept on a database – UK Standards. This is accessible to everyone across the UK and allows people to search for standards across a broad range of job roles and industries.
To ensure NOS are up to date and fit for purpose, they are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the needs of industry and new NOS are also commissioned to reflect new and changing industries. A key part of the process for updating and creating NOS is consultation with employers and stakeholders across the UK. This is a chance for you to contribute your views and experiences and influence the future of standards.
For further information on National Occupational Standards in Northern Ireland, email: NOS.Reviews@economy-ni.gov.uk
Achievements
National Occupational Standards (NOS) Annual Report for 2023/2024 has been published:
Reviews
Throughout the year Delivery Partners will be reviewing existing NOS and developing new NOS across a range of sectors. A vital part of this review and development work is seeking feedback from stakeholders.
Feedback is needed from across a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that NOS are up-to-date and fit for purpose and meet the needs of individual sectors. This includes employers, industry experts, training providers, further and higher education and other relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
For anyone interested in contributing to the development of National Occupational Standards, live consultation events will be shared via our social media pages:
- Twitter - @economy_ni
- LinkedIn - Department for the Economy
- Facebook - Economy_NI
PE in Schools National Occupational Standards
Skills Active, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being have been commissioned to review the PE in Schools National Occupational Standards.( NOS)
Over the past few months, we have worked with teams of industry experts to develop the draft National Occupational Standards for PE in Schools, creating a robust and coherent set of standards, in light of ‘new ways of working’. We would now like your views on what is being proposed.
A survey opened on Monday 6th January 2025 and runs until Friday 31st January 2025. Feedback from this UK wide consultation will inform the final drafting of the NOS. This NOS project is due to conclude in March 2025 following which the new NOS will be made available.
Survey is available at the following link:
Exercise Referral National Occupational Standards
Skills Active, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being have been commissioned to review the Exercise Referral National Occupational Standards.
Over the past few months, they have worked with teams of industry experts to develop the draft National Occupational Standards for Exercise Referral, creating a robust and coherent set of standards in light of ‘new ways of working’. They would now like your views on what is being proposed.
See the link below to have your say.
Closing date is the 31st January 2025 after which time the feedback will be collated and a final draft produced.
Review of Oral Health National Occupational Standards
Skills for Health have been commissioned by Skills Development Scotland to undertake a review of NOS for Oral Health. As part of this a consultation on Dental Technology NOS launched on 6 January 2025 and runs until 31 January 2025.
Have your say.
Please use the following link to the consultation:
Make-up National Occupational Standards Review 2024-2025
Habia (part of the Skills Active group) are undertaking a review of National Occupational Standards for Make -up.
Have your say via Survey Monkey at the link below.
Make-up National Occupational Standards Review 2024 -25
Consultation closes Wednesday 15 January 2025
Meat and Poultry National Occupational Standards
Like many businesses, you may be experiencing skill gaps or find that some qualified recruits lack the up-to-date skills, knowledge and understanding needed to thrive in their roles and contribute actively to business and industry present and future development and success.
This is your invitation to be part of the solution.
We the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink are currently reviewing National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Meat and Poultry. These standards aim to set out industry agreed benchmarks for job performance and supporting employers and employees across the industry and the UK.
They are the building blocks of qualifications, apprenticeships, training, and professional development and are relevant to all types and sizes of business from around the UK. We therefore welcome your input and feedback.
Having your say is easy - just go to:
This consultation will run until Monday, 20 January 2025.
Review of Oral Health National Occupational Standards
Skills for Health have been commissioned by Skills Development Scotland to undertake the following projects during 2024-2025:
- A review of Oral Health NOS (Dental Nursing)
- A review of Oral Health NOS (Dental Technology)
These projects are governed by a UK-wide Steering Group, along with smaller Working Groups which provide sector specific advice and guidance on the content of the NOS.
Dental Technology
Skills for Health will conduct a public consultation in early 2025. To be notified of when the consultation opens, and be kept up to date with any developments, register your interest below.
If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk
National Occupational Standards for retail
People 1st International is undertaking a review of existing National Occupational Standards (NOS) for retail in the UK and would like to invite you to participate.
The NOS are developed in consultation with employers and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that they are truly reflective of the competencies required for the successful completion of each task at the heart of job roles and are used to inform qualifications and apprenticeships.
Why should I participate?
- It’s an opportunity to lead, change and influence the direction of learning and professional development on offer across the retail industry in the UK.
- You will have real and direct involvement in reviewing the standards which drive retail qualifications and apprenticeships.
- You will be part of shaping the future for the industry and those working within it.
- Provides an invaluable CPD opportunity.
What does it involve?
You can choose the level of engagement that you are comfortable with:
- Join an Expert Working Group to directly influence the outcome of the Retail NOS review.
- Participate in an online survey to give feedback on recommended amendments to the existing retail NOS.
- Be kept up to date with developments.
How to participate
Fill in the form NOS Review Retail to state your interest, or get in contact with Jenny Bech at People 1st International (jenny.bech@people1st.co.uk). We are also happy to discuss any aspect or provide more details.
Lantra is looking for industry representatives to help review the National Occupational Standards for Animal Technology
Lantra have secured a contract to review the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Animal Technology. These were last updated in 2012 so are well overdue for review as there is likely to have been changes in legislation and working practices since then. It is important that the NOS are kept up to date as they form the basis of training and qualifications for animal technologists.
Lantra review of National Occupational Standards for Animal Technology
Energy & Utility Skills is looking for industry representatives to help review standards for the energy and utilities sector
As the industry skills body for the sector, Energy and Utility Skills have been appointed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to review a range of National Occupational Standards (NOS) during 2024-2025.
The following NOS suites will be under review:
In addition to NOS interest is also being established in a review of the Scottish Diploma in Sewerage and Drainage Operations at SCQF Level 5.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like more information about our programme of NOS reviews, please contact us at standardsreview@euskills.co.uk .