The International Classification of Occupations (ISCO) seeks to facilitate international communication about occupations by providing statisticians with a framework to make internationally comparable occupational data available, and by allowing international occupational data to be produced in a form that can be useful for research as well as for specific decision-making and action-oriented activities. Show
The current version, known as ISCO-08, was published in 2008 and is the fourth iteration, following ISCO-58, ISCO-68 and ISCO-88. DefinitionsA job is defined in ISCO-08 as “a set of tasks and duties performed, or meant to be performed, by one person, including for an employer or in self employment”. Occupation refers to the kind of work performed in a job. The concept of occupation is defined as a “set of jobs whose main tasks and duties are characterized by a high degree of similarity”. A person may be associated with an occupation through the main job currently held, a second job, a future job or a job previously held. Skill is defined as the ability to carry out the tasks and duties of a given job. For the purposes of ISCO-08, two dimensions of skill are used to arrange occupations into groups. These are skill level and skill specialization. Skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. Skill level is measured operationally by considering one or more of:
StructureLooking at the hierarchical structure of ISCO-08 from the top down, each of the ten major groups is made up of one or more sub-major groups, which in turn are made up of one or more minor groups. Each of the 130 minor groups is made up of one or more unit groups. In general, each unit group is made up of several “occupations” that have a high degree of similarity in terms of skill level and skill specialization. Each group in the classification is designated by a title and code number and is associated with a description that specifies the scope of the group.
Number of groups at each levelFind an occupation in ISCO-08Use the search function to find an occupation (tips: use the drop-down to select which columns to search and use quotes around a term, for example “nurse”, for more precise search results). In the table of results, click on the + sign to the left of the occupation title to learn more. This mapping as well as ISCO-08 and ISCO-88 are also available in other formats (if your browser allows for it, or right click to copy/paste the link directly into the browser): Skill levelsStatistics by occupation are presented in ILOSTAT according to both the categories of the latest version of the ISCO available and broad skill levels, based on the following correspondence table:
Table of contentsStatistical standardsFeatured publicationNEWS: The forthcoming revision of ISCOISCO-08 is currently being revised. This revision is undertaken by a Technical Working Group (TWG) and the ILO statistics department. The objectives of the revision are:
The history of ISCOIn addition to ISCO-08, three versions of ISCO were developed in the past. The first complete version of ISCO was adopted in 1957 by the Ninth International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS), it is known as ISCO-58. ISCO-58 was superseded by ISCO-68, which was adopted by the Eleventh ICLS in 1966. The third version, ISCO-88, was adopted by the Fourteenth ICLS in 1987. Distinctions between different occupational classes were introduced in population censuses undertaken in the early parts of the 19th century in several countries, but the identification of occupation and industry as different variables, each requiring its own classification, was only made towards the end of that century, as it became increasingly clear that the division of labour between firms and organizations in an industrial society was distinct from the division of labour between different jobs within the same firm. The history of the development of ISCO has always been closely connected with the work of the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) which meets under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The need for an international standard classification of occupations was, in fact, discussed at the first ICLS in 1923, although this conference did not propose a specific grouping of occupations. The first concrete step towards its establishment was the adoption, by the Seventh ICLS in 1949 of nine major groups termed the International Standard Classification of Occupations. The seventh ICLS proposed further development of this classification to more detailed level and identified basic principles to be followed in the collection and tabulation of occupational data, including that:
In 1952, the ILO published the International Classification of Occupations for Migration and Employment Placement (ICOMEP), with descriptions of 1727 occupations based on national reference materials sourced principally from 13 countries, and organized within the framework of the nine major groups adopted by the Seventh ICLS. In 1954, the Eighth ICLS approved a list of minor groups which was subsequently submitted to the governments and to a group of experts for comments. In 1957, the Ninth ICLS adopted the first complete version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations known as ISCO-58 and comprising a classification structure of 10 major groups, 73 minor groups, 201 unit groups, 1345 occupations and an index of occupational titles. All groups at each level of the classification were given a unique code, title and description, drafted in consultation with the governments. It was published in 1958. The Ninth ICLS also proposed a prompt revision of ISCO-58. In 1965, a working party examined proposals made on the basis of comments from about 80 countries and ten international organisations concerning the classification. This facilitated the development of a draft classification which was discussed, amended and adopted as ISCO-68 by the Eleventh ICLS in 1966. ISCO-68 consists of 8 major groups, 83 minor groups, 284 unit groups and 1506 occupational categories. It includes definitions for each of the 1881 groups describing the general functions of the occupations as well as the main tasks performed by the workers concerned. It includes an expanded alphabetical list of several thousand titles as well as a table of conversion from ISCO-58 to ISCO-68. The English and French versions were published in 1969 and the Spanish version in 1970. The third edition of ISCO (ISCO-88) was adopted by the 14th ICLS in 1987 and approved by the ILO Governing Body in 1988. The major changes introduced were that:
Early during the first decade of the 21st century, it became clear that there was a need to update ISCO-88. In December 2003 the 17th ICLS requested that the ILO complete work to update ISCO-88 by the end of 2007 so that the results could be taken into account in national preparations for the majority of population censuses to be undertaken in the 2010 round. The updated classification, ISCO-08 was adopted by a Meeting of Experts in Labour Statistics in December 2007. Whilst it employs a similar conceptual model to that used for ISCO-88, and the 10 major groups were not changed in concept, ISCO-08 is slightly more detailed at its disaggregate levels and comprises 43 sub-major groups, 131 minor groups and 436 unit groups. Like its predecessor, ISCO-08 provides descriptions for all of the categories identified at each of the four levels of its structure, and can be extended by defining detailed occupations if and when required for specific national or regional purposes. ISCO-08 is now being revised. Download previous ISCO versions
Related working papers
F.A.Q.ISCO-08 is the current version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations, it is the fourth iteration and replaces ISCO-88. Read more above on the history of ISCO. Yes, ISCO is available online free of charge and can be used without prior authorization.
Since the year 1968, the practice is to revise ISCO every 20 years. ISCO revision can only be undertaken if it is mandated by the ICLS. ISCO-08 revision is currently undertaken by the ILO with the assistance of a Technical Working Group (TWG). Classifications of occupations are used in national contexts for the collection and dissemination of statistics from sources such as population censuses, labour force surveys, other household surveys, employer surveys and other sources. They are used by governments and companies in activities such as matching jobseekers with job vacancies, educational planning, reporting of industrial accidents, administration of workers’ compensation, the management of employment-related migration, etc.
Questions concerning ISCO can be sent by mail to: See alsoThe role of ILOThe role of the Department of Statistics is to ensure that ISCO fulfils its objectives; it has the mandate and responsibility to:
Contact us: Questions concerning ISCO can be sent by e-mail directly to: ISCO-88Major groups1. Legislators, Senior Officials and Managers 2. Professionals 3. Technicians and Associate Professionals 4. Clerks 5. Service Workers and Shop and Market Sales Workers 6. Skilled Agricultural and Fishery Workers 7. Craft and Related Trades Workers 8. Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers 9. Elementary Occupations 0. Armed Forces Major and sub-major groups1. Legislators, Senior Officials and Managers11 – Legislators and Senior Officials 12 – Corporate Managers (This group is intended to include persons who – as directors, chief executives or department managers – manage enterprises or organisations, or departments, requiring a total of three or more managers.) 13 – General Managers (This group is intended to include persons who manage enterprises, or in some cases organisations, on their own behalf, or on behalf of the proprietor, with some non-managerial help and the assistance of no more than one other manager who should also be classified in this sub- major group as, in most cases, the tasks will be broader than those of a specialised manager in a larger enterprise or organisation. Non-managerial staff should be classified according to their specific tasks. 2. Professionals21 – Physical, Mathematical and Engineering Science Professionals 22 – Life Science and Health Professionals 23 – Teaching Professionals 24 – Other Professionals 3. Technicians and Associate Professionals31 – Physical and Engineering Science Associate Professionals 32 – Life Science and Health Associate Professionals 33 – Teaching Associate Professionals 34 – Other Associate Professionals 4. Clerks41 – Office Clerks 42 – Customer Services Clerks 5. Service Workers and Shop and Market Sales Workers51 – Personal and Protective Services Workers 52 – Models, Salespersons and Demonstrators 6. Skilled Agricultural and Fishery Workers61 – Market-Oriented Skilled Agricultural and Fishery Workers 62 – Subsistence Agricultural and Fishery Workers 7. Craft and Related Trades Workers71 – Extraction and Building Trades Workers 72 – Metal, Machinery and Related Trades Workers 73 – Precision, Handicraft, Printing and Related Trades Workers 74 – Other Craft and Related Trades Workers 8. Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers81 – Stationary-Plant and Related Operators 82 – Machine Operators and Assemblers 83 – Drivers and Mobile-Plant Operators 9. Elementary Occupations91 – Sales and Services Elementary Occupations 92 – Agricultural, Fishery and Related Labourers 93 – Labourers in Mining, Construction, Manufacturing and Transport 0. Armed Forces01 – Armed Forces ISCO-08Major Groups1. Managers 2. Professionals 3. Technicians and Associate Professionals 4. Clerical Support Workers 5. Services and Sales Workers 6. Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Workers 7. Craft and Related Trades Workers 8. Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers 9. Elementary Occupations 0. Armed Forces Occupations Major and Sub-Major Groups1. Managers11 – Chief Executives, Senior Officials and Legislators 12 – Administrative and Commercial Managers 13 – Production and Specialized Services Managers 14 – Hospitality, Retail and Other Services Managers 2. Professionals21 – Science and Engineering Professionals 22 – Health Professionals 23 – Teaching Professionals 24 – Business and Administration Professionals 25 – Information and Communications Technology Professionals 26 – Legal, Social and Cultural Professionals 3. Technicians and Associate Professionals31 – Science and Engineering Associate Professionals 32 – Health Associate Professionals 33 – Business and Administration Associate Professionals 34 – Legal, Social, Cultural and Related Associate Professionals 35 – Information and Communications Technicians 4. Clerical Support Workers41 – General and Keyboard Clerks 42 – Customer Services Clerks 43 – Numerical and Material Recording Clerks 44 – Other Clerical Support Workers 5. Services and Sales Workers51 – Personal Services Workers 52 – Sales Workers 53 – Personal Care Workers 54 – Protective Services Workers 6. Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Workers61 – Market-oriented Skilled Agricultural Workers 62 – Market-oriented Skilled Forestry, Fishery and Hunting Workers 63 – Subsistence Farmers, Fishers, Hunters and Gatherers 7. Craft and Related Trades Workers71 – Building and Related Trades Workers (excluding Electricians) 72 – Metal, Machinery and Related Trades Workers 73 – Handicraft and Printing Workers 74 – Electrical and Electronic Trades Workers 75 – Food Processing, Woodworking, Garment and Other Craft and Related Trades Workers 8. Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers81 – Stationary Plant and Machine Operators 82 – Assemblers 83 – Drivers and Mobile Plant Operators 9. Elementary Occupations91 – Cleaners and Helpers 92 – Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Labourers 93 – Labourers in Mining, Construction, Manufacturing and Transport 94 – Food Preparation Assistants 95 – Street and Related Sales and Services Workers 96 – Refuse Workers and Other Elementary Workers 0. Armed Forces Occupations01 – Commissioned Armed Forces Officers 02 – Non-commissioned Armed Forces Officers 03 – Armed Forces Occupations, Other Ranks Which of these refers to a condition where individuals may simply receive too many roleRole overload. A condition where individuals may simply receive too many role-related messages.
Which of these refers to the values that help us determine appropriate standards of behavior and place limits on our behavior both inside and outside the organization?First, values help us determine appropriate standards of behavior. They place limits on our behavior both inside and outside the organization. In such situations, we are referring to what is called ethical behavior, or ethics.
During which stage in group development group members come to accept fellow members and develop a unity of purpose that binds them?Norming. Over time, the group begins to develop a sense of oneness. Here, group norms emerge (norming) to guide individual behavior. Group members come to accept fellow members and develop a unity of purpose that binds them.
Which of these best describes a company's ability to provide products and services more effectively and efficiently than competitors?Industrial competitiveness
The ability to provide products and services more effectively and efficiently than competitors.
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