Cogent, the Sector Skills Council for the chemicals and pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, nuclear, petroleum and polymer industries, is running a consultation on national occupational standards (NOS) for sustainable business practice. It is working with industry to develop NOS and qualifications that will feed into a list of requirements for each job role.

Since the NOS will form the basis of new qualifications they must accurately describe the skills and knowledge required by industry. Members are invited to comment on three draft qualifications:

• Level 2 Award in Contributing to Sustainable Business Practice
• Level 3 Award in Implementing Sustainable Business Practice
• Level 4 Award in Managing Sustainable Business Practice

Cogent is aiming to find out whether the content of the proposed qualifications is appropriate as well as whether there is a need for staff development regarding sustainability, and if so, at what levels of the organisation and for which employees. It also hopes to learn whether there is a demand for qualifications or if non-formal training would be more apt.

Further information

National occupational standards for sustainable business practice

Contact Dawn Hillier, Project Lead, tel: 01925 515211.