Overview
Behaviours are mindsets, attitudes or approaches needed for competence. Whilst these can be innate or instinctive, they can also be learnt.
Behaviours tend to be very transferable and hence more similar across apprenticeship standards than knowledge and skills. In view of this, we have provided some examples of typical behaviours, along with the related grading descriptors and suitable assessment methods.
You do not need to base your behaviours on these examples. However, you may find them useful as a starting point.
You may need to refine them and will need to consider the best assessment method for your occupation. You will also need to ensure the related grading descriptors are relevant.
Example of behaviours
Grading descriptorsGenerally also covering other KSBs.Some of the behaviour/grading descriptor wording has been amended from the original standards in order to offer examples in a more consistent and simpler style
Level 2 to 3
Puts safety first for themselves and others
Grading descriptor
Works in line with company policies and practices at all times to ensure the security and protection of equipment and a safe and environmentally-friendly working environment. Identifies and mitigates risks and reports appropriately those which are outside their control.
Example from camera prep technician
Assessment method
Observation with questions.
Respectful of others
Grading descriptor
Demonstrates communication skills that show respect for workers, patients and their families.
Example from healthcare cleaning operative
Assessment method
Observation with questioning.
Takes ownership of work
Grading descriptor
Takes responsibility for completing tasks, completes actions within limits of authority without direction and asks for help where required.
Example from water process operative
Assessment method
Observation with questioning.
Team-focused and works effectively with colleagues and others
Grading descriptor
Outlines how they work as part of a team and with other professionals to identify and plan enabling environments, activities, play opportunities and educational programmes, both indoors and outdoors. In doing this, they support the holistic development of children by using child-initiated and adult-led approaches to improve the outcomes for children.
Example from early years practitioner
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Sources solutions and seeks to continuously improve and develop
Grading descriptor
Explains how they have used a range of methodologies to identify and apply solutions in order to continually improve the services that their organisation offers.
Example from fundraiser
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Committed to keeping up to date with industry best practice
Grading descriptor
Explains how they keep up to date with regulation/industry best practice so they operate compliantly, and how changes impact on organisational policies and procedures.
Example from insurance practitioner
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Level 4 to 5
Champions health and safety across the team
Grading descriptor
Explains how they act as a good role model in terms of Health and Safety and the impact of challenging poor behaviour.
Example from engineer surveyor
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Acts in a professional and ethical manner
Grading descriptor
Demonstrates the ability to work with colleagues, clients, the public and other stakeholders in a collaborative, non-confrontational and ethical way, in line with professional competence and conduct.
Example from BEMS control engineer
Assessment method
Project report and presentation with questioning.
Resilient under pressure
Grading descriptor
Justifies their approach when they have managed a difficult, challenging and/or confrontational situation and demonstrates resilience.
Example from metal recycling technical manager
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Acts in a way that builds and maintains positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers
Grading descriptor
Explains how they consult with and involve people from the team and other work areas to actively achieve developmental goals.
Example from broadcast and media systems technician
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Challenges approaches to work in a constructive manner
Grading descriptor
Demonstrates solution-focused decisions made using organisational principles and taking account of other perspectives and the bigger picture.
Example from countryside ranger
Assessment method
Observation.
Committed to continuous professional development
Grading descriptor
Establishes an approach to CPD where commitment is demonstrated and reflected in their personal log of activities.
Example from asset manager
Assessment method
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
Level 6 to 7
Leads by example, demonstrating impeccable safe behaviours at all times
Grading descriptor
Explains an example of a decision they took in order to lead and respond effectively to a vessel in an emergency while simultaneously maintaining their own company’s reputation by adopting a safety-first approach.
Example from harbour master
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Champions ethical and sustainable practices
Grading descriptor
Designs solutions that prioritise and promote ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible practices.
Example from geotechnical engineer
Assessment method
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
Calm, rational and professional under pressure
Grading descriptor
Describes how to assess operational risk and implement measures to mitigate identified risks, indicating how they remained calm, rational and professional when operating under pressure.
Example from serious and complex crime investigator
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Uses initiative and imagination to develop and identify new ideas where appropriate
Grading descriptor
Explains how they have used the theory and practice of presentation, interpretation and programming - including emerging digital skillsets, as well as interpreting and responding to research, intelligence and analysis of audience feedback - to deliver new exhibitions, projects and collection displays using initiative and imagination.
Example from curator
Assessment method
Exhibition project and written report.
Works collaboratively by personal example, encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit
Grading descriptor
Gives examples of how they have encouraged and facilitated cooperation, pride, trust and group identity, fostering commitment and team spirit.
Example from registrar (creative and cultural)
Assessment method
Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio.
Champions accessibility and diversity in order to create inclusive solutions
Grading descriptor
Describes how they continuously develop personally and how they champion accessibility and diversity to create inclusive solutions.
Example from digital user experience (UX) professional
Assessment method
Professional discussion.
Drives continuous improvement
Grading descriptor
Discusses the importance of professional development and how they identify gaps in their own and others knowledge and skills. Discusses how they support someone wishing to work in analytical and intelligence roles in the health and care system.
Example from health and care intelligence specialist
Assessment method
Professional discussion.