National Occupational Standards

National Occupational Standards (NOS) describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence. They are used for a wide range of workforce development purposes, including

• developing recruitment criteria and job descriptions;
• as performance management tools and within performance appraisal processes;
• identifying training needs;
• developing training programmes and training interventions;
• developing qualifications of all types – vocational, academic and professional

Through the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) it is the responsibility of the NOS Board to approve NOS that meet industry needs and that have been developed to recognised quality standards. Once approved, the NOS are placed on the Occupational Standards Directory which provides a resource to help raise performance in business and industry.

There is a direct relationship between STCW 95 standards and NOS covering Merchant Navy roles.  The suite of Marine National Occupational Standards (NOS) covering seagoing roles in the deck and engineer departments of merchant ships, harbour tugs and fishing vessels, is ‘owned’ and maintained by the MNTB and Seafish Industry Authority (SFIA). 

A direct link is provided to the Marine NOS below, along with links to the suites of NOS covering vessels operating in inland and coastal waters; maritime hospitality management and shore-based ship management. 

The suite of Marine NOS is available here

There is a suite of NOS covering Vessels Operating in Inland and Coastal Waters

There is a suite of NOS covering Maritime Hospitality Management

There is a suite of NOS covering Shore-based Ship Management