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Get started with National Occupational Standards

National Occupational Standards (NOS) define the essential skills, knowledge and understanding required for individuals to perform effectively in their roles. NOS are employer-led, supporting the growth and development of a sustainable workforce and aiding recruitment, retention and workforce planning.

A clear and nationally agreed articulation of competences

By embedding a consistent, standardised UK-wide approach, NOS ensure the workforce is equipped with the skills needed to meet the demands of their roles.

The standards provide clarity and transparency for career pathways, job roles and training, giving both organisations and employees a clear understanding of the competences required. In practice, organisations can use NOS to design competency-based job descriptions, clearly define role expectations and align training with the standards.

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Using the NOS finder tool

Our NOS Finder Tool makes it easy to explore, search and filter the National Occupational Standards to find the ones most relevant to your organisation’s needs. Whether you’re looking by industry or specific competences, the tool helps you quickly access the standards you need to ensure your workforce is equipped with the right skills.