The National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Translation set out what individuals need to do, and the knowledge and skills they need, to be competent professional translators. The Standards have been designed by and for the translation industry, to promote understanding of what constitutes professional and advanced levels of translation performance in a range of contexts and to incorporate advances in industry practices and methods of working. They were approved in September 2007.

The NOS in Translation are made up of eleven units, which describe core aspects of translation performance at both advanced professional and professional levels, as well as relevant support activities such as project management and mentoring colleagues.

The Standards are available free to download here in both English (pdf, 293KB) and Welsh (pdf, 503KB).

The Standards can be used to:

• describe good practice in particular areas of professional activity
• inform job descriptions and person specifications
• inform curriculum development of university degrees and postgraduate courses
• design training courses and continuous professional development 
• assess the skills of those training for a particular area of work 
• assess or review the skills of those who are qualified, e.g. for recruitment or appraisal purposes
• offer a framework for quality assurance.

The Standards also are available for awarding bodies to use as the basis for National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs).

For guidance and case studies on careers in translation and interpreting, see Languages Work.