New project to explore pan-sector National Occupational Standards

Skills Federation and The Workforce Development Trust have launched a new 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.

Strengthening the foundations of the 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 multiple sectors, supporting greater workforce mobility and more efficient skills development.

This 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 will begin by exploring National Occupational Standards linked to five thematic skill areas with strong potential for pan-sector application, including business and administration, leadership and management, digital applications, learning and development, and customer service.

Building on this, the work will map existing standards, examine how these skills are embedded across sector-specific NOS, and explore where additional cross-cutting themes may exist. Findings will be tested and refined through stakeholder engagement to ensure they reflect the needs of the wider skills system.

Engaging the wider skills community

A key part of the project will be consultation with stakeholders across the UK, including sector skills bodies, standards-setting organisations, awarding bodies, training providers, qualification regulators and representatives from devolved governments.

Through interviews and focus groups taking place throughout May, the project will gather insight to refine and strengthen its findings.

The partnership is keen to hear from anyone with an interest in NOS, particularly those involved in qualifications development, policy, or standards-setting, to ensure the work reflects the full breadth of the system.

Commenting on the project, Fiona Aldridge, CEO of Skills Federation said:

“We are delighted to be leading this important project on pan sector National Occupational Standards (NOS). High quality qualifications and training must be grounded in standards that are current, relevant, and accurately reflect the needs of industry. The development of pan sector NOS will improve transferability across sectors and support clearer, more streamlined pathways into and through work.”

Vicky Yearsley, Principal Consultant Education and Standards at The Workforce Development Trust added:

“As the pace of change in the labour market accelerates, the need for flexibility in the skills system becomes more urgent. Pan-sector NOS offer a practical way to recognise shared competences across occupations, reducing duplication and supporting clearer progression pathways for learners and workers.

“This project provides an important opportunity to shape how that approach could work in practice. Those who contribute will not only help validate current thinking but also play a role in influencing how the system evolves to meet future skills needs.”