Our parent company Semta is leading a review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Marine Engineering. Semta is now requesting feedback from employers, training providers and key stakeholders who work in the sector.

The current suites of NOS and qualifications were developed in partnership with employers and other appropriate organisations across the UK. NOS set out the skills, knowledge and understanding required by employers to undertake a particular task or job role to a nationally recognised level of competence, helping formalise training requirements for employers and employees across the UK. They also form the basis of all vocational qualifications including those used in Apprenticeship Frameworks.

When EAL's Compliance and Regulation team investigate cases of possible maladministration, particularly in regards to incorrect certificate claims, late registration and late certification requests and the outcome is 'maladministration proven'; centres are advised of the outcome via an email and confirms that the maladministration is recorded against the centre profile.

All EAL centres must have robust policies and procedures in place to reduce the actual or likelihood of malpractice and/or maladministration.

EAL's online certificate validation module is available so EAL centres and employers can verify the authenticity of learners' certificates.

Anyone can check the validity of a hard copy certificate or e-certificate using our certificate checker. This process is free of charge and does not require a login. You just need the learner's name, certificate number and date of birth.

Centres are reminded of the importance of not creating their own certificates or record of achievement which may be misleading to the user or the public. EAL understands and acknowledges that centres issuing a record of achievement are providing recognition to learners; but there have been recent occurrences where learners have used these certificates to gain 'licence to practice' cards or have used them when applying for employment.

Here's a round up of the latest skills policy news:

• New research has found that early interventions and campaigns would help to encourage more women to get into engineering. Click here for more.
• High costs and financial worries are creating barriers for adults who would like to get back into learning. Click here for more.