EuroJEM - Occupational coding system

EuroJEM is currently available in the European version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) coding system 1988, ISCO-88(COM).

ISCO-88(COM) groups occupations based on the similarity in skills required to perform tasks and duties in various jobs. It considers two dimensions of the skill concept.

  • Skill level: determined by the range and complexity of tasks associated with a job.
  • Skill specialization: reflects the specific expertise or knowledge needed for a particular occupation. 

ISCO-88(COM) has a four-layer structure, organized by the skills required and the specialization of those skills. The hierarchy allows for a systematic classification of occupations, see example below:

MAJOR GROUP 7: CRAFT AND RELATED TRADES WORKERS

71                       Extraction and building trades workers

                             711 Miners, shotfirers, stone cutters and carvers

                                    7111 Miners and quarry work

                                    7112 Shotfirers and blasters

                                    7113 Stone splitters, cutters and carvers

 

Explanation:

  1. (7) Major group: the highest level of classification. It groups together occupations with similar characteristics.
  2. (71) Sub-Major group: a more detailed level, further dividing major groups into related subgroups. 
  3. (711) Minor group: provides even more granularity by specifying narrower occupational categories.
  4. (7111) Unit group: most specific level, representing individual occupations.

ISCO-88(COM) provides guidelines for collecting and coding data related to occupations. It defines codes and descriptions for various job roles, making it easier to compare and analyse occupational data across countries, as in EuroJEM. 

Kevin Skogh
20-02-2025