4 Uses of National Occupational Standards

National Occupational Standards are a valuable resource that can be used in an integrated way by organisations and individuals to improve their performance. These standards are very flexible and can be used for a host of different purposes.

Organisational uses

National Occupational Standards can be used to help the organisation
  • plan workforce requirements
  • develop job descriptions and person specifications
  • design and implement recruitment and selection processes
  • develop, deliver and evaluate training
  • assure the quality of staff performance across the organisation
  • meet the indicators for external accreditation as an Investor in People
  • use common standards of performance and quality in partnerships
  • demonstrate the competence of the organisation within the bidding process

Managerial uses

They can help line managers
  • provide induction of staff
  • identify individuals’ development needs
  • plan appropriate training and development
  • provide individuals with the necessary coaching and mentoring support
  • delegate responsibilities to staff
  • ensure individuals and teams achieve their objectives
  • appraise staff performance fairly, using nationally agreed criteria
  • provide staff with specific feedback to improve their performance

Individual uses

They can help individual members of staff to
  • Improve their personal effectiveness and career development
  • Be sure they are working to best practice and complying with legal requirements
  • Obtain objective and constructive feedback and appraisal from their managers
  • Gain a nationally recognised qualification
  • Get a sense of achievement and pride in their work

Finding out more

Section B contains step-by-step guidance on these and other uses of National Occupational Standards. Consider this guidance carefully, but do not follow it slavishly. You may well develop other approaches to using National Occupational Standards that are appropriate to the context in which you are working. If you do, please let Skills for Justice know. One of the roles of Sector Skills Councils is to disseminate good practice throughout the sector.