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
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.
The Framework Agreement opportunity will be published on Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) once available.
If you have any questions or interested in receiving further information, please contact Martin.Ng@sds.co.uk
Enginuity NOS Consultation 2026
Enginuity’s Technical Solutions Team is leading a UK-wide review of the following National Occupational Standards (NOS):
Core Mandatory NOS:
- Complying with Statutory Regulations and Organisational Safety Requirements
- Using and Interpreting Engineering Data and Documentation
- Working Efficiently and Effectively in Engineering
The current NOS suites and associated qualifications were developed in partnership with employers and key stakeholders across the UK. National Occupational Standards define the skills, knowledge, and understanding required to perform specific tasks and job roles to a nationally recognised standard of competence.
NOS help employers and training providers establish consistent workforce development practices and form the foundation of many vocational qualifications, including those used within Apprenticeship Frameworks and other skills programmes.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, Enginuity is seeking feedback from employers, training providers, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to determine whether the current standards remain fit for purpose and to identify any areas requiring revision.
Areas for Review
- We are particularly interested in feedback on the following:
- Is the technical content accurate, current and aligned with industry practice?
- Are there any omissions within the scope, performance criteria or knowledge requirements?
- Are there any procedures, processes, technologies or equipment references that are now outdated or no longer relevant?
- Is it clear what learners and employers must demonstrate to achieve the standards?
- Can the outcomes specified within the standards be realistically achieved in the workplace?
Review Timescales
The review will run from July 2026 to March 2027 and will include two remote UK-wide consultations with employers and stakeholders, the first session will be on Wednesday 21 October 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 and the second on Wednesday 25 November 2026, 10:00 – 11:00.
How to get involved
If you would like to contribute to the review, please contact the Enginuity Technical Solutions Team: nos@enginuity.org
Your expertise and feedback will play an important role in ensuring that the standards continue to meet the evolving needs of the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Full details of the consultation, including the online stakeholder consultation events and feedback arrangements, can be found in the attached flyer and following link:
Review of National Occupational Standards (NOS)
We encourage stakeholders to provide detailed feedback on areas including technical accuracy, relevance, completeness, workplace applicability and any opportunities for improvement.
Review of Core Mandatory Engineering & Manufacturing National Occupational Standards (NOS)
View the flyer
Deadline
Starting: 28/09/2026 12:00
Ending: 01/03/2027 12:00
CITB NI: Northern Ireland Construction Employers
We need NI employer / construction stakeholder expertise in reviewing the next suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS).
National Occupational Standards (NOS) set out what someone needs to know and be able to do to carry out a job competently. This involves the key skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to perform the main tasks of an occupation, including the standards expected in different situations that someone may encounter in the workplace.
NOS describe what good performance looks like in a particular job. They are used to help develop qualifications, apprenticeships and training that reflect the skills employers need.
Have your say
To participate you should be experienced in the occupation being covered and be able to provide the level of detail required to ensure that the Standards (NOS) reflects current industry practice. Representation from training providers and industry bodies are invited to respond as your continued support is valued and essential.
You can have your say in a number of ways:
- Attend a remote national working group meeting
- Forward on any comments or suggestions you may have for a specific occupation
NOS Reviews in 2026-2027
For further information on the following areas please contact:
- Steel Erecting
- Moving Loads
- Construction Senior Management
- Steel Fixing
- Formwork
For further information or queries you can also contact: ryan.booth@citbni.org.uk
See more information at Construction Industry Employers & Stakeholders
Deadline
Starting: 01/08/2026 12:00
Ending: 01/08/2027 12:00
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