Professional standards

A professional standard is a document which describes professional activities and provides the competency requirements for professional qualifications and their levels.

Principles

• The proposal for the preparation of professional standards can be made by any enterprise, institution or other organisation and individual.
• Professional standard is prepared by a working group consisting of the experts in the given field.
• Professional standard is made up by partial qualifications (modules)
• An opinion poll shall be conducted in enterprises & institutions of the corresponding area of activity in order to introduce the draft of a professional standard
• Professional standards shall be approved by professional councils.
• The approved professional standards are placed to the State register of professions

Components of a standard

• Part A DESCRIPTION OF PROFESSION (work areas and professional titles, aim of work, description of level, activities and duties, operating environment and its specialty, means of work, abilities and personal traits, professional education)
• Part B COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
• Part C GENERAL INFORMATION

The professional standard is

• the basis for compiling curricula and training programmes which meet the requirements of the labour market
• the basis for assessing competence
• a useful tool for employers when promoting and describing jobs, recruiting employees, writing job descriptions, defining staff’s qualifications requirements, planning training
• a tool to help an employee understand their current skills levels and deficiencies, provides opportunities for planning their development and career, and is a basis for lifelong learning
• a tool for trainers, learners, parents, advisors and other stakeholders when gathering information and intelligence on labour market trends
• the basis for comparing professional qualifications certificates internationally