Using Occupational Standards in Higher Education
Why use National Occupational Standards in HE?
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. A view expressed in the White Paper 'The Future of Higher Education, January 2003: “Our overriding priority is to ensure that as we expand higher education places, we ensure that the expansion is of an appropriate quality and type to meet the demands of employers and the needs of the economy and students. We believe that the economy needs work-focused degrees, those, like our new foundation degrees that offer specific, job-related skills.
” Yes, I agree with this but that doesn't explain what National Occupational Standards have got to do with HE?
The reason why standards should be incorporated into HE is because standards:
describe standards of good practice in an occupational areas and 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
“National Occupational Standards make the job of designing a course couldn't be easier. You don't have to adopt them verbatim or follow them slavishly: extract those things which meet your needs” Martin Uren, Course Developer, Foundation Degree in Creative Sound Design, Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication (pg. 5, Fit for Purpose, compiled by Professor Simon Roodhouse and David Hemsworth, UVAC, 2004)
For more information on National Occupational Standards please see:
Everything you ever wanted to know about Standards
Aren't standards and qualifications, especially NVQs, the same thing?
No, they most definitely are not; anyone, including higher education institutions, can use standards to inform their work, curriculum design without any additional resources needed or academic validation. In fact many HE institutions will probably find that the they have already developed a course which maps across quite closely to the Standards without even knowing it.
However, there is a very close relationship between standards and qualifications as occupational standards inform the development of vocational qualifications. So, as a colleague from the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) recently stated at a Workshop on Using Occupational Standards ' The question should not be 'Why use them' but Why Not? According to UVAC National Occupational Standards and work based learning are therefore key to the HE employability agenda.
“By working to National Occupational Standards students are able to demonstrate competence before they re employed” (pg. 27, Fit for Purpose, compiled by Professor Simon Roodhouse and David Hemsworth, UVAC, 2004)
How do I use them?
Standards DO NOT replace the academic content but complement. The standards do not have to be used verbatim but should be used in what ever way is most appropriate to each individual institution and students You will also find that some of the standards will not be relevant to all courses or that there are no standards covering your particular subject area.
The reason for this is that standards are produced if and when the industry wants them and devotes time to help develop them. You can also pick and mix the standards from different occupational areas. What is important is that you identify the standards that suit your institution's needs as there are numerous Occupational Standards that have been developed for many different areas of work which may be as appropriate such as Management and Leadership standards. Often referred to as common or generic standards they cover occupations such as business administration, IT, customer service, management and leadership.
To find out more information about other Sector Skills Councils and the standards they have produced visit www.ssda.org.uk You should also be able to access and download their standards from their individual websites. Please contact MAtt Tora on 0207 713 9839 for more information
How do the students benefit?
Students who embark on a course of learning which has been informed by National Occupational Standards may enhance their employment and work experience prospects as they will be aware of what employers expect them to be able to do in order to carry out their job competently. In addition to this the Standards allow for the development of a common language, a language used by employers, to compete in the very competitive employment and freelance market.
How do I begin using them?
You will find the standards under 'Our Work' on the Skillset web site which can be downloaded FREE of charge. You can search for the standards by sector or job role. You do not have to use every Unit but only those which you feel are suitable and will add value.
How do I find out more? For further information and examples of practice where the Standards have been informed HE curriculum design please visit the UVAC web site at www.uvac.ac.uk where you will find details of a Report 'Fit for Purpose, The use of National Occupational Standards in higher education to meets the needs of employment' compiled by Professor Simon Roodhouse and David Hemsworth.
Alternatively, you can contact our Standards Team.
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. A view expressed in the White Paper 'The Future of Higher Education, January 2003: “Our overriding priority is to ensure that as we expand higher education places, we ensure that the expansion is of an appropriate quality and type to meet the demands of employers and the needs of the economy and students. We believe that the economy needs work-focused degrees, those, like our new foundation degrees that offer specific, job-related skills.
” Yes, I agree with this but that doesn't explain what National Occupational Standards have got to do with HE?
The reason why standards should be incorporated into HE is because standards:
“National Occupational Standards make the job of designing a course couldn't be easier. You don't have to adopt them verbatim or follow them slavishly: extract those things which meet your needs” Martin Uren, Course Developer, Foundation Degree in Creative Sound Design, Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication (pg. 5, Fit for Purpose, compiled by Professor Simon Roodhouse and David Hemsworth, UVAC, 2004)
For more information on National Occupational Standards please see:
Everything you ever wanted to know about Standards Aren't standards and qualifications, especially NVQs, the same thing?
No, they most definitely are not; anyone, including higher education institutions, can use standards to inform their work, curriculum design without any additional resources needed or academic validation. In fact many HE institutions will probably find that the they have already developed a course which maps across quite closely to the Standards without even knowing it.
However, there is a very close relationship between standards and qualifications as occupational standards inform the development of vocational qualifications. So, as a colleague from the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) recently stated at a Workshop on Using Occupational Standards ' The question should not be 'Why use them' but Why Not? According to UVAC National Occupational Standards and work based learning are therefore key to the HE employability agenda.
“By working to National Occupational Standards students are able to demonstrate competence before they re employed” (pg. 27, Fit for Purpose, compiled by Professor Simon Roodhouse and David Hemsworth, UVAC, 2004)
How do I use them?
Standards DO NOT replace the academic content but complement. The standards do not have to be used verbatim but should be used in what ever way is most appropriate to each individual institution and students You will also find that some of the standards will not be relevant to all courses or that there are no standards covering your particular subject area.
The reason for this is that standards are produced if and when the industry wants them and devotes time to help develop them. You can also pick and mix the standards from different occupational areas. What is important is that you identify the standards that suit your institution's needs as there are numerous Occupational Standards that have been developed for many different areas of work which may be as appropriate such as Management and Leadership standards. Often referred to as common or generic standards they cover occupations such as business administration, IT, customer service, management and leadership.
To find out more information about other Sector Skills Councils and the standards they have produced visit www.ssda.org.uk You should also be able to access and download their standards from their individual websites. Please contact MAtt Tora on 0207 713 9839 for more information
How do the students benefit?
Students who embark on a course of learning which has been informed by National Occupational Standards may enhance their employment and work experience prospects as they will be aware of what employers expect them to be able to do in order to carry out their job competently. In addition to this the Standards allow for the development of a common language, a language used by employers, to compete in the very competitive employment and freelance market.
How do I begin using them?
You will find the standards under 'Our Work' on the Skillset web site which can be downloaded FREE of charge. You can search for the standards by sector or job role. You do not have to use every Unit but only those which you feel are suitable and will add value.
How do I find out more? For further information and examples of practice where the Standards have been informed HE curriculum design please visit the UVAC web site at www.uvac.ac.uk where you will find details of a Report 'Fit for Purpose, The use of National Occupational Standards in higher education to meets the needs of employment' compiled by Professor Simon Roodhouse and David Hemsworth.
Alternatively, you can contact our Standards Team.
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