Why use Standards?
Education has a central role to play in ensuring that the future UK workforce are competent and able to meet the needs of industry.
Standards should be incorporated into any learning or advice because they:
- describe standards of good practice in an occupational areas
- reflect best employment practice
- identify the main roles and responsibilities within a work area
- describe the outcomes of competent performance, including the essential knowledge and understanding required
- are a comprehensive, yet flexible tool which can be used as stand alone documents
- help ensure that learning programmes meet employers needs.
Aren't standards and qualifications the same thing?
No. Standards to inform curriculum design without any additional resources needed or academic validation, while qualifications are assessments that the knowledge is understood and can be performed competently.
There is a close relationship between Standards and qualifications: Standards inform the development of vocational qualifications.
How do I use them?
Standards should be used in the way that is most appropriate to each individual provider and its learners.
You can pick and mix the Standards from different occupational areas. What is important is that you identify those that suit your institution's needs as there are many different areas of work which may be as appropriate, such as management and leadership, business, administration, IT, customer service and health & safety.
How do the students benefit?
Students who learn from a course informed by Standards increase their employment prospects, as the learning is directly informed by what employers expect. Learning from Standards allow for the development of a common language, used by employers.
How do I begin using them?
Access all the Standards Skillset has developed in the Skillset Standards Directory.
Alternatively, you can contact our Standards Team - standards@skillset.org.