Level descriptors in the NSK

Level

Level descriptors in the EQF

Knowledge

Skills

Competence

Identify work tools, equipment, raw materials, etc.
Carry out tasks according to simple, unchanging instructions
Identify problems which occur while following these instructions

basic general knowledge

basic skills required to carry out simple tasks

work or study under direct supervision in a structured context

Be familiar with materials describing the work to be done
Choose appropriate tools, materials etc. for use in each procedure or method from among the various options
Evaluate the quality of his or her products or services
Identify problems which occur while following instructions
Carry out instructions in standard situations with a minimum of changes

basic factual knowledge of a field of work or study

basic cognitive and practical skills required to use relevant information in order to carry out tasks and to solve routine problems using simple rules and tools

work or study under supervision with some autonomy

Be familiar with documentation, norms and standards in common use in the field
Select appropriate procedures, methods, tools, raw materials etc. from various options, according to conditions and requirements

Evaluate the quality of his or her products or services, and those of others

Carry out quality control, determine the causes of deficiencies and decide how to eliminate them
Identify problems which occur while following the selected procedures, determine their causes and decide how to solve them
Carry out selected procedures depending on conditions and requirements including taking into account social, economic, and ecological considerations
Present his or her work, products or services
Direct a small group carrying out simple or supporting activities

knowledge of facts, principles, processes and general concepts, in a field of work or study

a range of cognitive and practical skills required to accomplish tasks and solve problems by selecting and applying basic methods, tools, materials and information take responsibility for completion of tasks in work or study adapt own behaviour to circumstances in solving problems

Be familiar with documentation, norms, standards and regulations in common use in the field

Select appropriate procedures, methods, tools, raw materials etc. from various options, according to conditions and requirements
Evaluate the quality of his or her products or services, and those of others; carry out quality control, determine the causes of deficiencies and their consequences and decide how to eliminate them
Identify problems which occur while following the selected procedures, determine their causes and implement the required changes to the procedure
Identify social, economic and environmental aspects of any problems which arise
Determine the causes of unusual behaviour from individuals and objects in the workplace
Assess the relevance of vocational information
Evaluate the methods of others from the point of view of using them in his or her own work
Carry out selected procedures, with modifications depending on conditions and requirements including taking into account social, economic, and ecological considerations
Use technical information from a variety of sources in problem solving
Make suggestions for improving results
Design simpler analogues of existing procedures and products
Further development of proposals for new products and procedures
Present his or her work, products or services, discuss problems and find solutions and communicate effectively
Direct a small group carrying out selected procedures depending on conditions and requirements

factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within a field of work or study

a range of cognitive and practical skills required to generate solutions to specific problems in a field of work or study

exercise self-management within the guidelines of work or study contexts that are usually predictable, but are subject to change

supervise the routine work of others, taking some responsibility for the evaluation and improvement of work or study activities

Be familiar with documentation, norms, standards and regulations in use in the field to the extent that he or she can explain them to others in standard situations

Select appropriate procedures, methods, tools, raw materials etc. from various options, according to conditions and requirements
Evaluate the quality of his or her products or services, and those of others; carry out quality control, determine the causes of deficiencies and their consequences and decide how to eliminate them
Identify problems which occur while following the selected procedures, determine their causes and implement the required changes to the procedure
Identify social, economic and environmental aspects of any problems which arise
Distinguish between usual and unusual behaviour from individuals and objects in the workplace, determine causes and context of unusual behaviour, and draw conclusions and formulate proposals
Analyse moderately complex systems, phenomena and processes
Evaluate the relevance of technical information to resolving standard problems
Evaluate the methods of others from the point of view of using them in his or her own work
Carry out selected procedures, with modifications depending on conditions and requirements including taking into account social, economic, and ecological considerations
Independently carry out common technical tasks by standards methods
Solve problems requiring abstraction and employ simple research methods
Use technical information from a variety of sources in problem solving
Integrate several components into complex solutions
Formulate proposals for improvements including proposals for new processes
Design moderately complex procedures and products
Present his or her work, products or services, discuss problems and find solutions, communicate effectively and present convincing arguments
Direct a group carrying out moderately complex technical tasks depending on unforeseen conditions and requirements

comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge within a field of work or study and an awareness of the boundaries of that knowledge

a comprehensive range of cognitive and practical skills required to develop creative solutions to abstract problems

exercise management and supervision in contexts of work or study activities where there is unpredictable change;

review and develop performance of self and others

Be familiar with documentation, norms, standards and regulations in use in the field to the extent that he or she can explain them to others in standard and non-standard situations

Select appropriate procedures, methods, tools, raw materials etc. from various options, according to conditions and requirements
Evaluate the quality of his or her products or services, and those of others, carry out quality control, determine the causes of deficiencies and their consequences and decide how to eliminate them
Identify problems which occur while following the selected procedures, determine their causes and implement the required changes to the procedure
Identify social, economic and environmental aspects of any problems which arise
Analyse the causes and context of unusual behaviour from individuals and objects in the workplace, draw conclusions and formulate proposals
Analyse moderately complex systems, phenomena and processes
Assess the relevance of technical information
Evaluate the methods of others from the point of view of using them in his or her own work
Carry out selected procedures, with modifications depending on conditions and requirements including taking into account social, economic, and ecological considerations
Carry out fairly complex tasks for which there are no available procedures and methods
Solve problems requiring abstraction
Use technical information from a variety of sources in problem solving
Integrate several components into complex solutions
Propose system improvements
Design fairly complex procedures and products
Solve problems requiring broad theoretical knowledge, use research methods and simple scientific principles
Present his or her work, products or services and justify them in the face of criticism, discuss problems and find solutions, communicate effectively and present convincing arguments
Direct a group carrying out complex technical activities in unforeseen conditions

advanced knowledge of a field of work or study, involving a critical understanding of theories and principles

advanced skills, demonstrating mastery and innovation, required to solve complex and unpredictable problems in a specialised field of work or study

manage complex technical or professional activities or projects, taking responsibility for decision-making in unpredictable work or study contexts;

take responsibility for managing professional development of individuals and groups

Be familiar with documentation, norms, standards and regulations in use in the field to the extent that he or she can explain them to others in standard and non-standard situations and evaluate whether there is a need for changes in these norms and documents

Plan procedures, methods and the use of tools and materials etc. according to desired results
Evaluate the quality of his or her products or services, and those of others, carry out quality control, determine the causes of deficiencies and their consequences and decide how to eliminate them
Identify problems which occur while following the selected procedures, determine their causes and implement the required changes to the procedure
Identify social, economic and environmental aspects of any problems which arise
Analyse the causes and context of unusual behaviour from individuals and objects in the workplace, draw conclusions and formulate proposals
Analyse complex systems, phenomena and processes
Evaluate the relevance of technical information and findings from other scientific fields
Evaluate the results of the works of others from the point of view of applying them in his or her own work
Carry out selected procedures, with modifications depending on conditions and requirements including taking into account social, economic, and ecological considerations
Design procedures and methods for the solution of complex problems and coordinate their implementation
Solve problems requiring abstraction and generalisation
Use technical information from a variety of sources and findings from various scientific fields in problem solving
Integrate several components into complex solutions
Propose fundamental systemic changes
Plan and implement new, complex procedures and products
Solve problems requiring broad and highly specialised theoretical knowledge, use research methods and simple scientific principles
Present his or her work, products or services, design new procedures, justify them in the face of criticism, lead discussions of complicated problems and find solutions, communicate effectively and present convincing arguments
Organise and plan complex processes carried out by multiple groups in unforeseen conditions, including strategic decision making

highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of knowledge in a field of work or study, as the basis for original thinking and/or research;

critical awareness of knowledge issues in a field and at the interface between different fields

specialised problem-solving skills required in research and/or innovation in order to develop new knowledge and procedures and to integrate knowledge from different fields

manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable and require new strategic approaches take responsibility for contributing to professional knowledge and practice and/or for reviewing the strategic performance of teams

Qualification level 7, and:

Solve problems requiring innovations of importance to the whole field
Contribute to the dissemination of the results of original research
Develop theories and methods for the most demanding creative activities, including scientific research and development
Present proposed procedures and research results and defend them in the face of criticism, and lead discussions on research and scientific problems
Direct wide-ranging research and development activities

knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field of work or study and at the interface between fields

the most advanced and specialised skills and techniques, including synthesis and evaluation, required to solve critical problems in research and/or innovation and to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice

demonstrate substantial authority, innovation, autonomy, scholarly and professional integrity and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of work or study contexts including research