The Urban Institute team is developing National Occupational Frameworks (NOFs) based on:
- existing competency-based Registered Apprenticeships,
- international apprenticeship models,
- trade and professional association guidelines,
- licensure or certification requirements, and most importantly,
- employers engaged in the Registered Apprenticeship program.
We will identify core job functions, competencies and performance criteria that meet the needs of most employers who sponsor apprentices in a given occupation. Employers will retain the ability customize their RA programs based on their individual needs.
After they have been validated by employers, the NOFs will be available on this website to view online or to download. You can also use the NOFs with the Office of Apprenticeship’s online Standards Builder tool. With this tool, employers can develop customized work process schedules using a series of pull-down menus. No one is required to use an NOF, but we believe they will help employers develop and register new apprenticeship programs more quickly.
NOF Structure
Overview
For each occupation, the NOF includes an overview of the job or job family, including:
- potential job titles,
- occupational pathways,
- licensure or certification requirements,
- typical salary ranges and
- projected employment opportunities.
The overview also includes a list of core and optional job functions an apprentice or employee in that occupation would typically perform.
Cross-cutting competencies
Next, the NOF outlines the cross-cutting workplace competencies common to all occupations. We use an 8 point scale to reflect the relevance of each cross-cutting skill and the level of performance required of individuals participating in a particular occupational apprenticeship.
Job functions, competencies and performance criteria
The next layer of the NOF lists each job function, including contextual information such as:
- the scope of that function,
- the knowledge, skills, tools and technologies required to perform that job function, and
- the competencies apprentices must demonstrate to complete the program and succeed on the job.
National Occupational Framework Template
Occupational Framework Template
You can download a copy of the National Occupational Framework template to help create your own apprenticeship.
If you would like more information, or would like to participate in the development of the National Occupational Frameworks, please contact Dr. Robert Lerman (blerman@urban.org) or Diane Auer Jones (djones@urban.org).
