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.
Help Shape the Future of Full Stack Software Development Skills
We’re inviting employers, software engineers, digital leaders, training providers, and technology innovators to review and comment on the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Full Stack Software Development.
These standards set out the skills and knowledge required to design, build, test, deploy, and maintain end-to-end software solutions. They cover front-end and back-end development, API integration, databases, cloud platforms, security, and collaborative development practices.
Your feedback will directly shape how vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and future training programmes equip the workforce to deliver modern, secure, and scalable digital services across all sectors of the economy.
How to get involved
Link to draft NOS and survey – Full Stack Software Development NOS Updates
Consultation closes - Friday 10 October 2025
Any questions, contact tonyvenus@ODAG-tech.co.uk
Help Shape the Future of Smart Infrastructure Skills
We’re inviting employers, engineers, digital specialists, training providers, and infrastructure professionals to review and comment on the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Smart Infrastructure Engineering.
These standards define the skills and knowledge needed to plan, deliver, maintain, and optimise smart infrastructure systems that integrate physical assets with digital technologies — from transport and utilities to energy and the built environment.
Your feedback will directly influence how vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and future training programmes prepare the workforce for next-generation infrastructure challenges.
How to get involved
Link to draft NOS and survey – Smart Infrastructure NOS Updates
Consultation closes - Friday 10 October 2025
Any questions, contact tonyvenus@ODAG-tech.co.uk
Help Shape the Future of OT Cybersecurity Skills
We’re inviting employers, industry specialists, training providers, and practitioners to review and provide feedback on the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for OT Cybersecurity.
These standards will define the core skills and knowledge needed to protect industrial systems from cyber threats, and your insights will help ensure they reflect real-world practice across the UK’s safety-critical and infrastructure sectors.
Your feedback will help shape future qualifications, apprenticeships, and workforce development in OT cybersecurity.
How to get involved
Link to draft NOS and survey – OT Cybersecurity NOS Updates
Consultation closes - Friday 10 October 2025
Any questions, contact tonyvenus@ODAG-tech.co.uk
Help Shape the Future of Blockchain Skills
We’re inviting employers, technologists, financial services specialists, training providers, and digital innovators to review and comment on the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Blockchain.
These standards define the skills and knowledge needed to design, implement, secure, and integrate blockchain systems, from smart contracts and decentralised applications (dApps) to enterprise integration, compliance, and regulatory alignment.
Your feedback will directly influence how vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and future training programmes prepare the workforce for blockchain adoption across finance, supply chains, healthcare, energy, and public services.
How to get involved
Link to draft NOS and survey – Blockchain NOS Updates
Consultation closes - Friday 10 October 2025
Any questions, contact tonyvenus@ODAG-tech.co.uk
Active Leisure and Wellbeing - NOS Review
Skills Active have an exciting opportunity to directly influence the future of our industry.
At Skills Active (the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Wellbeing), one of our core responsibilities is developing and maintaining high-quality, up-to-date standards that support growth, professionalism, and innovation across the Active Leisure sector.
We’ve been commissioned by the devolved nations to review and develop the following key National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs):
- NOS Leisure Operations
- NOS Wellness Coaching
- SVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness (Level 5)
- SVQ Sports Coaching (Level 6)
- SVQ in Operational Services (Level 5)
- SVQ Community Coach (Level TBD)
How to get involved
This is where we’d love your expertise. By joining the consultation, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring these standards are relevant, forward-looking, and fit for purpose, ultimately shaping the pathways for future professionals in our sector.
There are several flexible ways to get involved:
- Join our steering group (via Zoom, approx. 3 times: 30th Sept, 20th Nov, 5th Feb)
- Share your views in an online survey
- Take part in a short telephone interview
- Provide a letter of support
Your input will directly inform the updated NOS and SVQ qualifications, which are set to go live in 2026.
Deadline
If you’d like to take part, please reply to this email by 22nd September 2025, letting us know how you’d like to be involved.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to help shape the future of our industry, we’d be delighted to have you on board.
Health and Social Care and Children’s Care Learning and Development NOS Review
The Northern Ireland Social Care Council is part of the UK Partners Group in social care. This year, the group is undertaking a review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Health and Social Care and Children’s Care Learning and Development.
NOS describe the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to do a particular job to a nationally recognised level of competence. It’s important these standards are up to date.
This review will ensure that the National Occupational Standards are up-to-date and fit for purpose. It aims to address gaps in content, update terminology, reduce duplication and improve the layout of the NOS. It is important that they are fit for purpose and give people working in the sector the skills needed to meet the demands of modern health and social care services. You can find out more about the consultation through the video National Occupational Standards 2025.
How to get involved
As part of the review, the Social Care Council is asking the social care workforce and stakeholders in Northern Ireland to take part in a consultation survey. This is your opportunity as a social care practitioner, employer, training provider or an individual who uses social care services or cares for someone who uses these services to have a say.
We encourage you to take part in the survey at:
Completing the consultation survey:
- This is an online survey and must be completed in one go – progress will not be saved if incomplete.
- Depending on your knowledge and experience of the NOS, this survey will take at least 15 minutes to complete, but your feedback is really important. We know your time is limited, but your opinions will help to shape the future of the sector.
- The new National Occupational Standards will be published for use in early 2026.
Deadline
The consultation will run from Monday 4 August to Friday 19 September 2025.
Automotive Industry NOS Review
NOS set out the skills, knowledge and understanding required by employers to undertake a particular task or job role to a nationally recognised level of competence.
This is an important opportunity to ensure that the standards for the automotive industry are relevant, accurate and an important benchmark for industry and qualifications across the UK.
To help us do this, the following National Occupational Standards (NOS) are being reviewed:
- Vehicle Damage Assessor Operations
- Accident Repair – SMART - Cosmetic
- Accident Repair – SMART - PDR
When
From 17 September 2025 to 14 March 2026
How to get involved
To ensure these are kept up-to-date we need knowledgeable people from the industry to be involved. If you are interested in taking part in this review or future NOS development work, please contact Caroline Harris, carolineh@theimi.org.uk by 12 September 2025.
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