NOCN is an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation and end-point assessment organisation that plays a significant role in the scaffolding industry through its administration of qualifications for the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). The organisation took over the management of CISRS qualifications and has since developed a suite of regulated vocational qualifications aligned with the scaffolding apprenticeship standard. NOCN works with training providers across the UK to deliver and quality-assure CISRS-approved courses, and its qualifications underpin the operative card system that enables employers and principal contractors to verify the competence of scaffolding personnel on site.

Beyond scaffolding, NOCN offers a wide range of regulated qualifications across multiple industries and vocational sectors, including functional skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and a variety of technical and professional qualifications. In the construction sector, NOCN’s qualifications range from entry-level awards through to Level 3 NVQ diplomas in scaffolding, which form the regulated qualification component of the CISRS Advanced Scaffolder Card. The organisation’s close relationship with CITB, NASC, and industry employers ensures that its scaffolding qualifications remain current, employer-led, and aligned with the occupational standards demanded by the modern construction and access sector.