The uses of National Occupational Standards

Traditionally, the most common use of motor industry standards has been to develop National Vocational Qualifications and Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

However there are a number of other important uses for National Occupational Standards where they can be used as:

• a benchmark against which companies can compare their internal practices and procedures
• a basis for developing training programmes
• for employee recruitment and selection (i.e. developing job descriptions and person specifications)
• developing or refining performance appraisal systems
• self assessment
• setting staff grading and promotion criteria
• as an organisational development tool.

Sector Skills Councils

Sector Skills Councils will continue to use  NOS to review S/NVQ provision but increasingly use them to inform the content of other knowledge based qualifications, diplomas and new qualifications being developed for the 14 to 19 year cohort, foundation degrees, and where relevant in license to practice arrangements whether voluntary or statutory.

Employers

Employers can use Occupational Standards (NOS) to assist with a range of activities in the workplace:

Business Planning

Describe the skills they need in their workforce
Assess the skills already in the workforce
Develop training and recruitment plans to fill any identified   gaps and shortages.

Selection and Recruitment

NOS can be used to form the basis of job descriptions
NOS can assist with staff retention

Staff Development

NOS contain descriptions of good practice and can be used as the basis for setting objectives in performance and appraisal.

Developing and Evaluating Training

Training plans and training courses can be developed to meet both organisational and individual learning needs. NOS can be used to inform the content of training as they specify in detail what constitutes good practice. They can also be used to evaluate training by defining the expected outcomes.

Benchmarking

The NOS provide an excellent basis from which to develop bench marking exercises either internally or to compare with other organisations

Training Providers

Training providers both public and private can use standards to help ensure that training programmes do relate to employment needs.

Employees

Employees can use NOS to undertake a self-assessment of their competences against their own or other jobs. This can be helpful for someone considering a career move or simply for their own professional development