National Occupational Standards (NOS)

National Occupational Standards (NOS) provide benchmarks for competent performance. The content is led by demand and based on evidence from industry. The NOS underpin vocational training, apprenticeship frameworks and qualifications across the UK, in all sectors and occupations. As the Standards Setting Body for construction, CITB develops and maintains these standards for the construction industry.

Although NOS are often used to build qualifications and training programmes, sectors, organisations or individuals can use NOS as the platform for almost any other aspect of human resource management and development, for example:

  • workforce planning

  • performance appraisal and development systems

  • job descriptions

  • workplace coaching

  • reflective practice

The standards are compiled in 'suites' under occupational areas and can be viewed individually on the National Occupational Standards database.

NOS and N/SVQ Development Summary

Estimated Availability

Dates and developments are subject to change based on need, industry engagement, and the development and regulatory processes

Q2 2026

  • IC – Tunnelling

  • Thermal Insulation

  • Stonemasonry

  • Specialist Installation Occupations

  • Roofing Occupations

  • Interior Systems

Q3 2026

  • Wall and Floor Tiling

  • Wood Occupations

  • Passive Fire Protection

  • Bricklaying

Q4 2026

  • Plastering

  • IC - Specialist Concrete – Drilling & Sawing

  • IC - Specialist Concrete – In-situ Flooring

Q1 2027

  • Occupational Work Supervisor

  • Construction Senior Management

Q2 2026

  • IC – Tunnelling (NVQ only)

  • IC – Substructure Work Occupations (NVQ)

Q3 2026

  • Thermal Insulation (N/SVQ)

  • Stonemasonry (N/SVQ)

  • Specialist Installation Occupations (N/SVQ)

  • Associated Industrial Services (NVQ)

Q4 2026

  • Wall and Floor Tiling (N/SVQ)

  • Roofing Occupations – (N/SVQ)

  • Interior Systems – (N/SVQ)

Q1 2027

  • Passive Fire Protection (tbc)

  • Wood Occupations (N/SVQ)

  • Bricklaying – (N/SVQ)

Q2 2027

  • Plastering – (N/SVQ)

  • IC - Specialist Concrete – Drilling & Sawing (NVQ)

  • IC - Specialist Concrete – In-situ Flooring (NVQ)

  • Occupational Work Supervisor (NVQ / SVQ)

  • Construction Senior Management (NVQ / SVQ)

Confirmed development start - May 2026

  • Steel Framed Systems

  • Steelfixing

  • Construction Site Supervision

  • Construction Site Management

  • Formwork

  • Demolition

Q1 2026

  • Winter Services

  • Building Maintenance, Multi-trade Repair & Refurb

  • Site Inspection (will now not commence)

Q3 2026

  • 641, 642, and 643 (“Generic and Common NOS”)

  • Fitted Interiors

  • Construction using off-site Manufactured Assemblies

  • Roadbuilding and Maintenance

  • Cladding Occupations

  • Plant (Operations, Installations, Machinery Maintenance)

Q4 2026

  • Piling Operations

  • Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems