What are National Occupational Standards?

National Occupational Standards (NOS) describe what an individual needs to do, know and understand in order to carry out a particular job role or function.

How are National Occupational Standards developed?

National Occupational Standards are developed by employers and employer representative organisations working together through a standards development group. This committee selects a small group of practitioners to develop a draft occupational analysis. The draft is then validated nationally. The analysis becomes an occupational standard when it is endorsed by industry.

How can National Occupational Standards be used?

They can be used to:

• describe good practice in particular areas of work
• set out a statement of competence which bring together the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to do the work
• provide managers with a tool for a wide variety of workforce management and quality control
• offer a framework for training and development
• form the basis of a range of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and a range of other vocational qualifications.

How do National Occupational Standards help employers?

·    Increase productivity

·    Improve quality of goods and services

·   Reduce costs for recruitment by facilitating the selection of new employees

·    Provide a means for better human resources planning

·   Help effective skills upgrading