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.