Occupational standards and qualifications - British Council

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	Downloadable Resource Read all about the UK's vocational training system, our skills strategy and the key bodies involved with policy and training (pdf, 351KB).

	Occupational standards and qualifications

What are occupational standards?

National occupational standards are developed by the Sector Skills Councils. These standards are set for occupations in each industrial, service or commercial sector. They detail what is expected of people working at different levels in the sectors, from the most basic and routine to the most senior management levels. The standards define what employees, or potential employees, must be able to do and know, how well they must do these things and the circumstances in which they have to use the skills or carry out the activities.

The emphasis on the outcomes rather than the processes of learning, means that the qualifications which people obtain are based firmly on the needs of employers.

National Qualifications Framework

The UK regulatory authorities have brought all nationally recognised qualifications into a clear national qualifications framework.

UK Vocational Qualifications

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are qualifications that assess the skills and knowledge people need in order to do their job effectively.

Awarding Qualifications

The standards of UK qualifications are maintained through organisations like the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Other bodies design and assess vocational qualifications.

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