National Occupational Standards (NOS) define the skills,
knowledge and understanding needed by individuals to carry out
their job across the full range of sectors, from accountancy to
zookeeping. They are developed by Sector Skills Councils and Sector
Skills Bodies, working in collaboration with employers, experts and
stakeholders across the UK.
National Occupational Standards can be used to:
- describe good practive in particular areas of work
- create job descriptions and professional development plans
- design training courses
- form the basis of the National Vocational Qualifications
(NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and Vocationally
Related Qualifications (VRQs)
CILT, the National Centre for Languages is the UK Sector Skills
Body for languages, responsible for maintaining and developing
National Occupational Standards in languages and intercultural
skills for work and Standards for the specialist language
professions, interpreting and translation. These have been created through a
long process of consultation with language and intercultural
professionals and employers, and are approved by the UK regulatory
authorities.
To find out about nationally recognised qualifications based on
the Standards, go to our Qualifications
page.
For guidance on careers in interpreting and translation, see the
Languages
Work website.
To find out more about other UK National Occupational Standards,
visit the UK Standards
website.