Review of UK National Occupational Standards for Translation & Interpreting
Instructus is a UK skills development organisation and apprenticeship certification authority. They have been contracted to review the UK National Occupational Standards (NOS) in the education sector, so they remain current, relevant, and fit for purpose. The UK's National Occupational Standards underpin job profiles and role descriptions, HR processes and appraisals, learning programmes and qualifications and apprenticeships across the UK.
What are NOS (National Occupational Standards)?
A NOS (National Occupational Standard) is a document that describes the knowledge, skills, and understanding that an individual should demonstrate to complete their job role to a nationally recognised level of competence.
The NOS focuses on what the individual should be able to do, as well as what they must know and understand to work effectively. Each NOS contains agreed definitions of knowledge, understanding, and performance criteria that an individual needs to meet in order to be deemed competent.
Languages and Intercultural Working NOS
The Languages and Intercultural Skills National Occupational Standards set out the necessary skills and competencies for languages and intercultural working. Five suites of Languages & Intercultural Working NOS (National Occupational Standards) are available, four of which are directly relevant to CIOL's Royal Charter purposes. These are listed below.
1) Languages
These standards cover the skills and knowledge needed to use a language in a work setting. They can be applied to any language and in any work context. This allows learners to choose specific standards at a level that is most suitable for them.
- Four skills: understand, speak/sign, read, and write
- Seven levels: from basic, to complex, to specialist
Language NOS
Language NOS Guidance
2) Intercultural Working
These NOS cover the skills and knowledge needed to work with people from different countries or diverse cultures. Whether in the UK or internationally, the NOS are designed to promote respectful interaction, better understanding, and improved performance.
Intercultural Working NOS 2025
3) Translation
These NOS cover the knowledge and skills required to be a competent professional translator. They describe core aspects of translation performance at both professional and advanced levels, as well as relevant support activities such as project management and mentoring.
Professional Translator
PTra1 Maintain skills and systems for managing translation tasks
PTra2 Manage new translation assignments
PTra3 Translate written texts from one language into another
PTra4 Develop your performance as a professional translator
Advanced Professional Translator
APTra1 Maintain skills and systems for managing translation tasks
APTra2 Manage new translation assignments
APTra3 Translate written texts from one language into another
APTra4 Develop your performance as an advanced professional translator
APTra5 Act as a mentor to trainee and colleague translators
Support Functions
SFTra1 Manage translation projects
SFTra2 Evaluate and improve translation services to meet client needs
4) Interpreting
This range of NOS cover the knowledge and skills required to provide a competent, professional interpretation service.
CFAINT01: Assess Your Ability to Undertake Interpreting Assignments
CFAINT02: Prepare for Interpreting Assignments
CFAINT03: Interpret One-Way as a Professional Interpreter
CFAINT04: Interpret Two-Way as a Professional Interpreter
CFAINT05: Evaluate & Develop Your Professional Practice as an Interpreter
CFAINT06: Produce Sight Translations Within Interpreting Assignments
CFAINT07: Produce Immediate Translations Within Interpreting Assignments
CFAINT08: Work With Other Interpreters
CFAINT09: Undertake Remote Interpreting Assignments
The Translation and Interpreting NOS consultation
In the consultation, announced earlier this month, Instructus say: "This is brilliant opportunity to have your say on the future of your sector and help shape the future of UK Occupational Standards."
You can give your initial views in the Instructus survey via this link. The survey is due to be open until mid-November. You can also opt-in (or opt-out) to participate in forthcoming consultation activities and workshops.
For more information you can email: [email protected].