Use of Standards

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Standards

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Standards offer a framework for good employment practice. Skillset’s own range of standards provide a framework of tried and tested good practice needed in effectively performing different jobs in the audio visual industries. You can use standards to compare your performance to these nationally developed benchmarks of good practice, and to be very clear about what you need to achieve.

Standards are outcome based – in other words they look at WHAT needs to be done, they are not prescriptive in telling you HOW to do it. The standards have been developed over a number of years by people who work in the industry and experts from each occupational area through a process of investigation, analysis and consultation. The results are clear statements of what is required in a particular job role.

Standards provide a common language for demonstrating competence and allow for the development of a common language. The National Occupational Standards developed by Skillset are incredibly useful tools which can be used to support individuals and develop the workforce. Standards can help:

Freelancers in ensuring they can evaluate and demonstrate their competence in a very competitive employment market. As well as covering the technical and specialist skills within the industry, Skillset’s range of standards for each job area include those skills which will enhance flexibility in employment and opportunities for progression. These include problem-solving skills, health and safety requirements, the ability to work with others, and how to market yourself as a freelancer.

Employers to communicate their needs for a particular role, and can be used as a basis for the selection and recruitment of staff, creating job descriptions, identifying training or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs, job role design, measuring staff performance through using them as a basis for appraisals.

Assist Careers Advisors to provide advice on either getting into or working in different sectors and encouraging their use when putting together CVs to ensure that a common language is used.

Training and Learning Providers who can use the standards as the basis for planning and developing training, shaping qualifications and successfully informing foundation degrees. Skillset encourages all training developers and providers to map their provision to the standards.

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Standards for Freelancers

Skillset has developed a simple checklist to allow you to review your existing skills against the skills you will need in the future helping you to develop a personalised plan to give your career that final push it needs!

National Occupational Standards can be an incredibly useful tool to assist employers in developing their workforce. The standards provide recognised benchmarks to assess skills and enhance competent performance.

How Lesley Oakden, Skillset Careers Advisor, uses Skillset's Standards.

Using Standards to Inform Course Design and Training Provision

Standards can provide an important link between industry demand for skills, qualifications and learning programmes.

Using Occupational Standards in Higher Education

Higher education has a central role to play in ensuring that the future UK workforce are competent and able to meet the needs of industry; that's one of the reasons why standards should be incorporated into HE.

How University College Falmouth uses Skillset's Standards

One University which understands the benefits of the using National Occupational Standards to inform course provision is University College Falmouth.

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