Organising Framework for Occupations

Background The South African Standard Classification of Occupations is currently based on International Standard Classification of Occupations, which is used for Labour Market Analysis in respect of both Equity & Skills Development legislation. However, it does not provide the detail that the SETAs require for good skills development planning & intervention. To deal with this shortcoming, OFO was developed. The OFO is a Skills-Based coded classification system that encompasses all occupations in the South African context. The classification of occupations is based on a combination of skill level & skill specialisation. The purpose of OFO is to help identify Scarce & Critical Skills within & across sectors in a way that is meaningful nationally.

OFO Classification of Occupations  In the OFO, occupations are classified according to:  Skill Level is an attribute of an occupation, not of an individual. It can be measured by:  the level of formal education &/or training  the amount of on-the-job training usually required by  an individual to competently perform the set of tasks  required for that occupation.

OFO Classification of Occupations (Cont)  Skill Specialisation is a function of the:  field of knowledge required  tools & equipment used  materials worked on &  goods or services provided in relation to the  tasks performed

Definitions according to the OFO Job & Occupation The following definitions are applied in the OFO:- Job “A set of roles or tasks designed to be performed by an individual for an employer in return for payment”. Occupation “A set of specialisations whose main tasks are characterised by such a high degree of similarity, that they can be grouped together for the purposes of the classification. This could encompass a number of jobs”.

Structure of the OFO The OFO is constructed on occupations, not knowledge fields. Each occupation is described in detail primary roles & skill levels, tasks & specialisations. Based on the Skill Level & Skill Specialisation, occupations in the OFO are divided into:  1 Major Groups – Managers  13 Sub-Major Groups – Specialist Manager  132 Minor Groups – Business Administration Manager  1323 Unit Groups – HR Manager  Occupations – Personnel/HR Manager The 6-digit level, i.e. Occupations, is the level that will be reported at in the WSP & ATR.

Example of Occupation tracked according to OFO 1 Digit Major Group 2 2 Digits Sub-Major Group ICT Professionals Professionals 26 3 Digits Minor Group ICT Network & Support Professionals Digits Unit GroupComputer Network Professionals Digits Occupation Network Analyst

Levels of Occupations ADVANCEDADVANCED 51. MANAGERS2. PROFESSIONALS INTERMEDIATEINTERMEDIATE 4 4. COMMUNITY & PERSONAL SERVICE WORKERS 3. TECHNICIANS 3 5. CLERICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE WORKERS 6. SALES WORKERS 2 7. MACHINERY OPERATORS & DRIVERS ENTRYENTRY 1 8. LABOURERS & ELEMENTARY WORKERS