Occupational categories and groups

ZA9Occupational categories (sometimes referred to as “routes”)

1

The Secretary of State may determine categories into which occupations may be placed for the purposes of this Chapter.

2

The Secretary of State must notify the Institute of any categories that are determined.

ZA10Mapping of occupational groups

1

The Institute must—

a

determine occupations in relation to which it may be appropriate for people to undertake apprenticeships or obtain qualifications, and

b

determine which of those occupations require similar knowledge, skills and behaviour.

2

Two or more occupations that require similar knowledge, skills and behaviour are referred to in this section as a “group”.

3

Where categories have been determined under section ZA9, the Institute must allocate each occupation or group to a category.

4

If the Institute considers that no category is appropriate it must nevertheless allocate the occupation or group to a category (and is not required to adjust its determinations under subsection (1)).

5

The Institute must publish information showing—

a

the occupations,

b

the groups, and

c

any categories to which the occupations and groups have been allocated.

Standards

ZA11Standards

1

The Institute must publish standards in relation to England for such occupations as the Institute considers appropriate.

2

Each standard must—

a

describe the occupation to which it relates;

b

set out the outcomes that persons seeking to achieve the standard are expected to attain in order to do so.

3

Each standard must have been prepared by a group of persons and approved by the Institute.

4

The group of persons that prepared a standard must have been approved by the Institute.

5

The Institute may provide advice or assistance to a group of persons in connection with the preparation of a standard.

6

The Institute may convene a group of persons to prepare a standard for an occupation only if the Institute considers—

a

that there is a need for a standard for that occupation, and

b

that the need will not be met unless a group is convened to prepare the standard.

7

The Institute must publish—

a

information about matters that it takes into account when deciding whether or not to approve standards for the purposes of subsection (3);

b

information about matters that it takes into account when deciding whether or not to approve groups of persons for the purposes of subsection (4).

8

When making a decision of the kind mentioned in subsection (7)(a) or (b) in a particular case, the Institute may also take into account such other matters as it considers appropriate in the case in question.

9

Information published under subsection (7) may be revised or replaced, and the Institute must publish under that subsection any revised or replacement information.

10

Where a standard is published, the Institute must publish, with the information published under section ZA10(5) in relation to the occupation, information indicating that there is a standard for the occupation.