One national approach to skills frameworks are NVQs. Vocational qualifications refer to work-related qualifications. They are designed to enable the learner to acquire knowledge and skills that are required by the national occupational standards (NOS) to be able to perform a particular job.
NVQs are a 'competence-based' qualification, which means your employees learn practical, work-related tasks designed to help them develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively.
Taking an NVQ could be appropriate if employees already have skills and want to improve them, or if they are starting from scratch.
Candidates who undertake a national vocational qualification need to demonstrate they have the suitable skills, knowledge along with the understanding to carry out the tasks associated within their job role. The NVQ framework can be used as tool to help you identify any learning and development needs and form the basis of training needs.
http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/vocational-qualifications.html