“NLP Practitioner” is a real job title – It’s Official! The Standard Occupation Classification Extension (SOCext) project was started in 2019 to review all the job classifications in the UK... Back to blog posts Posted by Kash Falconer MBA on December 10th 2020 NLP Share Tweet LinkedIn Pin Introducing the wonderful SOC Extension Project 2020. The Standard Occupation Classification Extension (SOCext) project was started in 2019 to review all the job classifications in the UK. They wrote to ANLP to consult on reviewing the SOCext with regards to NLP Practitioner and where it best sat in the framework… and following on from some email exchanges, this was the result… “At the outset of the project, we identified that the job title NLP practitioner coded to SOC2020 unit group 3574: Other vocational and industrial trainers. Also to be found in this group are business coaches, forklift instructors and NVQ assessors. As a result of the information you provided in your email in October 2019, we deemed this to be inappropriate for NLP practitioners and sought to research whether a more appropriate grouping was possible. We consulted extensively on this issue, collaborating with the SOC subject matter expert and expert SOC coders. As a result, NLP practitioners were reassigned to Unit Group 3224: Counsellors. Other titles linked to 3224 are life coaches, relationship counsellors and smoke cessation counsellors which we hope you agree have a greater affinity to the role of NLP practitioners.” The SOC Extension Team (Email dated 16/10/2020) Hurrah! This means that if you have a valid NLP Practitioner certificate (or above), you are more appropriately aligned with Life Coaches and Counsellors, in the Government’s map of the world, rather than the previous classification. It may be a small thing in the grand scheme of life and it demonstrates that, on your behalf, ANLP are looking to nudge, tweak or move NLP into the right places… So, next time someone says “What’s your job?” or “What do you do for a living?”, you can proudly (and officially) say “I’m an NLP Practitioner” and you can quote them this code: SOC 3224 [Counsellors]/99. I’m sure that will impress them. Just like getting the ANLP recognised by HMRC as a Professional Association (so you can legitimately claim Membership Fees back against your tax bill), the SOC recognition for the work you do as an NLP Practitioner is important for you and for our field. We’re proud of you and hope you’re proud of you too! Kash Falconer MBA (guest post) Head of Strategy for ANLP, prolific writer and soon to be author of an international best seller!