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: - NOSNI@economy-ni.gov.uk
Achievements
National Occupational Standards (NOS) Annual Report for 2023/2024 has been published:
National Occupational Standards - Myth Busters
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.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) Supplier Framework Information Session
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has a requirement to procure a multi lot, multi supplier framework agreement on behalf of the Devolved Governments (DGs) of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, to provide development of Standards and Frameworks
We would like to invite interested suppliers to attend an information session to learn more about this upcoming opportunity.
The tendered services will be divided into six lots, covering the following areas:
- Lot 1: National Occupational Standards (NOS) Pre-Development Scoping
- Lot 2: National Occupational Standards (NOS) Review and Development, including Pan-Sector, Multi-Sector, Sector-Specific and Job-Specific NOS, Content Updates and NOS Cleansing Activity
- Lot 3: Welsh Translation of NOS
- Lot 4: Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) or Alternative Competency-Based Qualifications (CBQs)
- Lot 5: Apprenticeship Frameworks in Northern Ireland
- Lot 6: NOS Qualitative Research, Insight and Support
Lot 6 is further divided into the following categories:
- 6a: Labour Market Information (LMI) Analysis and Triangulation
- 6b: AI/NLP Data Analysis
- 6c: Quality Assurance of Welsh-Language NOS
- 6d: NOS Technical Writing
- 6e: NOS Qualitative Research, Insight and Support
Suppliers may submit bids for one or more lots and, where applicable, one or more Lot 6 categories.
We are keen to raise awareness of this opportunity and attract a broad and diverse supplier base, including organisations that are new to supporting Standards and Framework development.
To support this, SDS will be hosting an information session via Microsoft Teams on 2 September at 1130.
The Framework Agreement opportunity will be published on Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) during the following week.
If you are interested in attending the information session, please contact Martin.Ng@sds.co.uk to request an invitation.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We look forward to welcoming you to the session
National Occupational Standards (NOS) Review: Gas and confined spaces
Energy & Utility Skills is inviting industry experts to help develop and review standards for Gas and Confined Spaces.
Energy & Utility Skills is inviting industry experts to help develop and review standards for Gas and Confined Spaces.
National Occupational Standards, or NOS, describe what an individual needs to do and know to perform a work activity, including the skills, knowledge and understanding required. They underpin qualifications, in house training programmes and apprenticeship frameworks across the UK.
The following NOS suites will be reviewed this year:
• Confined Spaces
• Industrial and Commercial Gas Utilisation
• LPG Installation and Maintenance
• Downstream Domestic Gas Installation and Maintenance
To ensure the NOS consider the latest innovation and working practices in the sector, and are fit for purpose, Energy & Utility Skills are inviting industry representatives who understand the technical aspects of the job roles associated with the NOS, including employers, training providers and professional bodies, to be involved in our reviews. A series of industry launch workshops are being held during September to provide an overview of the products under review and next steps.
Further details can be found here - National Occupational Standards (NOS) Review: Gas and confined spaces - Energy & Utility Skills.
How to get involved
If you’d like to get involved, please email standardsreview@euskills.co.uk with your name, organisation and the NOS review/s you’d like to be involved in.
Deadline
Starting: 1200, Wednesday 01 July 2026
Ending: 1230, Monday 01 March 2027
Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools NOS Consultation
Instructus is inviting industry experts to help review standards in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools suite.
Instructus Skills have been contracted to review and update the National Occupational Standards (NOS) suites for “Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools”
This is the first consultation survey that aims to collect feedback on the occupational map detailing the competence areas and individual functions. The consultation aims to collate your views on two areas:
1. Is the content up-to-date? If not, what updates there are.
2. Is anything missing in terms of functions, working practices, specifics and etc?
We really appreciate your time and contribution.
All information captured in this survey will be used strictly for the purposes of this review. We will not disclose your name and contact details to any third party.
How to get involved
Please view the survey using the following link:
Deadline
Starting: 1200, Wednesday 01 July 2026
Ending: 1200, Monday 01 March 2027
Digital Marketing NOS Consultation
Instructus is inviting industry experts to help review standards in Digital Marketing suite
Instructus Skills have been contracted to review and update the National Occupational Standards (NOS) suites for Digital Marketing.
We need your views on the content of the standards. This is the first consultation survey that aims to collect feedback on the occupational map detailing the competence areas and individual functions. We really appreciate your time and contribution.
All information captured in this survey will be used strictly for the purposes of this review. We will not disclose your name and contact details to any third party.
How to get involved
Please complete the survey via following link:
Deadline
Starting: 1200, Wednesday 01 July 2026
Ending: 1200, Monday 01 March 2027
National Occupational Standards (NOS) Energy Assessment Review
Instructus have been contracted to review and develop the National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Energy sector, so they remain current, relevant, and fit for purpose. The NOS underpin job profiles and role descriptions, HR processes and appraisals, learning programmes and qualifications and apprenticeships across the UK.
Here is the scope of the projects:
- Review and update – Energy Assessment (Domestic and Commercial, On-Construction Domestic and Commercial)
- Development of NEW suites of NOS:
- Retrofit Assessor
- Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management.
Help Shape the Future of Energy Assessment
We’re inviting employers, engineers, retrofitting specialists, training providers and energy surveyors to review and comment on the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Energy Assessment.
These standards define the skills and knowledge needed for the design, implementation, integration and retrofitting of energy systems ensuring legislative compliance and regulatory alignment.
Your feedback will directly influence how vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and future training programmes prepare the workforce for Energy Assessment with particular focus on retrofitting systems
How to get involved
Email Larisa Puk: larisa.puk@instructus.org or visit Instructus Skills
Live consultation events
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