Level Descriptors

Descriptions which are used to help the development of qualifications, training courses and occupational standards. Ofqual produced rules (including level descriptors) for assigning levels to qualifications and their components, although these were withdrawn in 2018, with their place being taken by an Ofqual Handbook: General Conditions of Recognition from which the Skills England have utilised the knowledge and skills descriptors and added two other headings to their Apprenticeship Standard Occupational Guide as follows:

A Level 2 relates to a Craft level person who is occupationally competent; a Level 3 can be considered Advanced Craft / Supervisory level; and Levels 4 to 6 Management Level.

Knowledge Descriptor
Level 2: Knowledge and understanding of the facts, procedures and ideas in the occupational field to complete well defined tasks and address straightforward problems. Aware of a range of information that is relevant to the area of work or study Interpret relevant information and ideas.

Level 3: Factual, procedural and theoretical knowledge and understanding of the occupational area to complete tasks and address problems that while well-defined may be complex and non-routine. Interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas. Aware of the nature of the area of work or study. Aware of different perspectives or approaches within the area of work or study.

Level 4: Practical, theoretical and/or technical knowledge and understanding of the occupational area to address problems that are well defined but complex and non- routine. Analyse, interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas. Aware of the nature and approximate scope of the area of work or study.
Informed awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.

Level 5: Practical, theoretical or technological knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to find ways forward in broadly defined, complex contexts. Analyse, interpret and evaluate relevant information, concepts and ideas. Aware of the nature and scope of the area of study or work. Understand different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them.

Level 6: Advanced practical, conceptual or technological knowledge and understanding of the subject or field of work to create ways forward in contexts where there are many interacting factors. Understand different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the theories that underpin them. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information, concepts and ideas.

Skills Descriptor
Level 2: Select and use relevant cognitive and practical skills to complete well defined, generally routine tasks and address straightforward problems. Identify, gather and use relevant information to inform actions Identify how effective actions have been.

Level 3: Identify, select and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills, methods and procedures to complete tasks and address problems that are well defined, may be complex and non- routine. Use appropriate investigation to inform actions. Review how effective methods and actions have been.

Level 4: Identify, adapt and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills to complete work activities, inform actions and address problems that are complex and non-routine while normally well defined. Review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results.

Level 5: Determine, adapt and use appropriate methods, cognitive and practical skills to complete work activities, inform actions and address broadly defined, complex problems. Use relevant research or development to inform actions. Evaluate actions, methods and results.

Level 6: Determine, refine, adapt and use appropriate methods and advanced cognitive and practical skills to complete work activities and address problems that have a limited definition and involve many interacting factors. Use and where appropriate design relevant research and development to inform actions. Evaluate actions, methods and results and their implications.

Occupational Competence
Level 2: Occupational competence which involves the application of knowledge, skills, procedures and ideas in a significant range of varied work activities and contexts which are generally well defined. Some of the activities are complex or non-routine; Address straightforward problems.

Level 3: Occupational competence which involves the application of knowledge and understanding, skills and methods in a broad range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts most of which are complex and non-routine.
Address problems that, while well defined, may be complex and non- routine.

Level 4: Occupational competence which involves the application of knowledge and understanding, skills and methods in a broad range of complex or technical work activities, performed in a variety of contexts. Address problems which are complex and non-routine while normally fairly well defined.

Level 5: Occupational competence which involves the application of theoretical and/or technological knowledge, understanding, skills and methods across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Address broadly defined, complex problems.

Level 6: Occupational competence which involves the application of advanced theoretical and/or technological knowledge, understanding, skills and methods across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Address problems that have limited definition and involve many interacting factors.

Autonomy and Accountability
Level 2: Take responsibility for completing tasks and procedures. Exercise autonomy and judgement subject to overall direction or guidance. May collaborate with others perhaps through a work group or team.

Level 3: Take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures including, where relevant, responsibility for supervising or guiding others. Exercise responsibility, autonomy and judgement within limited parameters.

Level 4: Take responsibility for courses of action, including, where relevant, responsibility for the work of others and allocation of resources. Exercise responsibility, autonomy and judgement within broad but generally well-defined parameters.

Level 5: Take responsibility for planning and developing courses of action including, where relevant, responsibility for the work of others and allocation of resources. Exercise responsibility, autonomy and judgement within broad parameters. Accountability for the analysis and diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation.

Level 6: Take responsibility for planning and developing courses of action that are capable of underpinning substantial changes or development. Initiate and lead tasks and processes, taking responsibility where relevant, for the work and roles of others and the allocation of substantial resources. Exercise broad autonomy and judgement.