Skills Federation and the Workforce Development Trust are working on a project to explore the role and potential of pan-sector National Occupational Standards (NOS). Commissioned by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on behalf of the NOS Governance Group, this exploratory work will help inform future approaches to how standards are developed, reviewed and applied across the UK skills system.

NOS underpin the skills system by defining the knowledge, skills and understanding required for occupational competence. They support the development of qualifications and training, while also informing job design, workforce development and performance management, helping to align skills provision with the needs of employers and the wider labour market.

As industries continue to evolve and overlap, there is increasing value in identifying standards that apply across the whole economy, supporting greater workforce mobility and more efficient skills development.

The project focuses specifically on understanding where these pan-sector elements already exist, and where there are opportunities to strengthen and streamline their use. The project is due to report to the NOS Governance Group at the end of June.