Frequently Asked Questions
- I want to access NOS relating to IT, but can't find them by doing a search?
- I want to view all of the NOS for Forensic Science, how can I do this?
- I want to find a specific NOS, but don't know the exact title or reference number. I know it has Community Justice in the title, but when I search I get over 600 results.
- I am interested in completing one of your qualifications, how do I go about doing this?
- I am a manager and want to make wider use of NOS within our organisation, how can I do this?
- What is the job description tool and how can I access it?
- Why do some suites of NOS have two versions?
- I'm hearing a lot about the QCF, what is it?
- How can I access QCF units?
I want to access NOS relating to IT, but can't find them by doing a search?
If you want to access a group of NOS, the easiest way of doing this is by clicking on 'Functional Map' under the search box on the home page of the NOS Finder. This groups together NOS with similar functions.
I want to view all of the NOS for Forensic Science, how can I do this?
You can either access these via the functional map as detailed above, or you can click on the 'View Suites' tab on the banner to see all of the Skills for Justice NOS split into suites.
I want to find a specific NOS, but don't know the exact title or reference number. I know it has Community Justice in the title, but when I search I get over 600 results.
If the basic search doesn't provide you with the NOS you need, the best thing to do is filter the search. You can narrow down this search by clicking 'exact phrase' and instead of searching 'full NOS content' change it to 'NOS titles only'. This provides you with seven results and you should be able to identify what you are searching for.
I am interested in completing one of your qualifications, how do I go about doing this?
Our qualifications are undertaken in the workplace, so you need to be employed in a role relevant to the qualification you are interested in. If you are in a relevant role then it is worthwhile discussing the qualification with your manager, as you will need their support to achieve it; there may also be other members of staff interested in completing the same qualification. You then need to contact one of the Awarding Bodies who offer the qualification, whose details can be found on the relevant qualification page. The Awarding Body will be able to provide you with more information relating to your nearest assessment centre, cost and any other queries you may have.
I am a manager and want to make wider use of NOS within our organisation, how can I do this?
The 'About NOS' and 'Using NOS' pages give useful tips and guidance about how you can utilise NOS in your organisation. We have even provided basic templates to give you a starting point.
Also if you are a member of Skills for Justice, you can access further information specific to your organisation in our exclusive membership section. To find out more about membership and its benefits visit our main website here:
What is the job description tool and how can I access it?
The job description tool is available for members and allows the online design of job descriptions making use of our NOS. Once you have designed your job descriptions you can more easily use them to inform workforce planning; to make recruitment and selection an easier process, and much more.
To find out more about membership and its benefits visit our main website here:
Why do some suites of NOS have two versions?
NOS are reviewed every few years to ensure they are still relevant and fit for purpose. Often the qualifications relating to a suite of NOS will be reviewed at the same time. However as a person registered on a qualification has two years to complete it we have to make both versions of a NOS available. So where you see two versions of a NOS suite we recommend you use the later version for all uses other than for qualifications. As the QCF becomes more widely available this issue will no longer exist.
I'm hearing a lot about the QCF, what is it?
The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new way of assessing and accrediting qualifications. With the old National Qualification Framework (NQF) candidates completed a qualification and if the same NOS appeared in another qualification they completed at a later date, then they would have to re-do the unit. In the QCF learners have an 'account' that allows them to track the units they have completed and obtain credit, either full or partial, for the same or similar units they have already completed if they go on to complete a related qualification.
All qualifications will be on the QCF by the end of December 2010, at which time NOS will be longer be used as units of assessment within a qualification. QCF units will be used instead.
How can I access QCF units?
Unlike NOS Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) have no requirement to provide QCF units for the sector. However we have decided to make the QCF units available on the NOS Finder. If you search for a NOS unit in the usual way, a link will appear under the NOS providing you with the related QCF unit. As we are transferring qualifications to the QCF, not all the NOS will also have QCF units.
