This document provides basic information about the establishment, mission, and principal tasks of the National Skill Standards Board (NSSB), which was established as a key part of Goals 2000 and charged with the responsibility of creating a national system of voluntary skill standards to be available for use by employers, workers, unions, educators, and government. Presented first is the rationale for a system of voluntary standards and the NSSB. The development of skill standards is discussed in the context of recent changes in education and training and the National Education Goals. Discussed in a section on the current foundation for developing a skill standards system are the following: past legislative and federal efforts to encourage development of skill standards; past and present education- and industry-driven skill standards programs; skill standards in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Components and characteristics of an ideal skill standards system are listed. Examined next are the following key tasks of the NSSB: identify occupational clusters, recognize voluntary partnerships, establish objective criteria, recognize quality assurance functions, establish endorsement criteria, and develop an infrastructure. A list of 22 skill standards demonstration projects is included. Contains 18 references. (MN)