Occupation International Standard Classification of Occupations ISCO 08

Occupation International Standard Classification of Occupations – ISCO- 08 David Hunter, Department of Statistics International Labour Office Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 1

Occupation – concept and uses Occupation – Refers to the type of work done by the person employed irrespective of where (the industry), or under what status in employment, – An occupation is a “set of jobs whose main tasks and duties are characterized by a high degree of similarity” – Major component of national labour market information – Data needed for policy formulation for • • labour market programmes, educational planning, work related migration …. Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 2

Concepts of occupation, industry and status in employment § In labour statistics all 3 concepts relate to a job in which a person is employed § Job : a set of tasks and duties performed, or meant to be performed, by one person including for an employer or in self employment. § Some people have more than one job § Data may be collected only for the main job, for a second job, a job previously held, or (for those who are not employed) for the last job held § Status in employment and occupation are descriptive characteristics of a job § Industry is a characteristic of the establishment employing a person in a job Occupation – The type of work done by the person employed regardless of the industry, or under what status in employment. Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 3

International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) • Most countries use national occupation classifications based on the (now out of date) ISCO-88 • Current version was endorsed by the ILO Governing Body in 2008: – – – For this reason it is known as ISCO-08 Structure and group definitions available on ILO Website or on request Usable definitions of all groups have been available since July 2009 To be published in English, French and Spanish as soon as possible Will be used in European Union collections from 2010 Hierarchically structured classification comprising: • • 10 major groups 43 sub-major groups 131 minor groups 436 unit groups – Many countries are currently updating their national occupation classifications to align with ISCO-08 Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 4

What is ISCO used for? ü International reporting, comparison and exchange of statistical and administrative data ü A model for the development of national and regional classifications of occupations ü Used directly in countries that have not developed their own national classifications • National Occupation Classifications are used for: Ø Statistics from censuses, household surveys, employer surveys and other sources. Ø Administrative and policy-related activities such as: • • matching job seekers with job vacancies educational planning management of employment related international migration determining wage rates Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 5

Occupation classifications in employment services • Automatic matching of job-seekers to job vacancies – Job seekers and vacancies coded to National Occupation Classifications (NOC) – Resumes of matching jobseekers sent automatically to employers - Or job vacancy details sent to clients - May require more detail than provided by ISCO - Possible need for more detail in NOC Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 6

Integrated occupational information systems § Framework for provision of careers information § Identification of skill shortages or oversupply § Provision of integrated information about pay, job prospects, working hours, nature of work performed, for example: § US O*NET: http: //online. onetcenter. org/ § Australian Job Outlook: http: //joboutlook. gov. au/pages/help. aspx Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 7

Underlying concepts –ISCO-08 • Job : a set of tasks and duties performed, or meant to be performed, by one person including for an employer or in self employment. • Occupation: a set of jobs whose main tasks and duties are characterised by a high degree of similarity: – A person may be associated with an occupation through the main job currently held, a second job, or a job previously held • Occupations are organised into groups according to skill level and skill specialisation: – Skill level is applied mainly at the top (major group) level of the classification. – Within each major group occupations are arranged into unit groups, minor groups and sub-major groups, primarily on the basis of aspects of skill specialisation. Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 8

Table 1: Mapping of ISCO-08 major groups to skill levels ISCO-08 major groups 1 - Managers Skill Level 3+4 2 - Professionals 4 3 - Technicians and associate professionals 3 4 - Clerical support workers 5 - Service and sales workers 6 - Skilled agricultural and fishery workers 7 - Craft and related trades workers 8 - Plant and machine operators, and assemblers 2 9 - Elementary occupations 1 0 - Armed forces occupations Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 1, 2 + 4 9

What was wrong with ISCO-88? • Seriously out-of-date in some areas: – (Eg. ICT, Office clerks, information clerks) • Excessive detail in some areas: – (Eg. plant and machinery operators) • Inadequate detail in some areas: – (Eg. service related occupations and occupations that predominate in the informal sector) • Wide variation in the size of some sub-major and minor groups • Grouping of managerial occupations • Parallel groups in Major groups 2 and 3 due to differences in national education requirements Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 10

ISCO - Some of the more significant changes in ISCO-08 (1) • Elimination of parallel groups at different skill levels if tasks performed are the same: – Virtually all teaching occupations are classified in Sub-major Group 24, Teaching professionals – Nurses are classified in Major groups 2 or 3 depending on tasks performed and not on qualifications alone • Reorganization of managerial occupations in Major Group 1 • Major updating and expansion of occupations in information and communications technology: – 2 new sub-major groups in Major groups 2 and 3 • Improved coverage and upgrading of health services occupations – Identifiable at sub-major group level in Major groups 2 and 3 and at Minor group level in Major group 5, Sales and Service Workers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 11

ISCO - Some of the more significant changes in ISCO-08 (2) • Reorganization of the section of the classification dealing with office clerks: – Impact of information and communications technology – Increase from 2 to 4 sub-major groups in Major group 4, Clerical Support Workers • Reorganization of the aggregate groupings for sales and service workers: – Increase from 2 to 4 sub-major groups in Major group 5 • More detailed categories and greater clarity for some occupational groups involved in agriculture: – Farmers and farm managers are classified in Major group 6, Skilled agricultural forestry and fisheries workers, with few exceptions • Extended coverage of occupations that are significant in informal employment: Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 12

Number of groups at each level of ISCO 08 (Numbers for ISCO-88 are shown in brackets where different) Major groups Sub-major Minor Groups groups Unit groups 1 Managers 4 (3) 11(8) 31 (33) 2 Professionals 6 (4) 27(18) 92 (55) 3 Technicians and associate professionals 5 (4) 20 84 (73) 4 Clerical support workers 4 (2) 8 (7) 29 (23) 5 Service and sales workers 4 (2) 13 (9) 40 (23) 6 Skilled agricultural, fishery, and forestry workers 3 (2) 9 (6) 18 (17) 7 Craft and related trades workers 5 (4) 14 (16) 66 (70) 3 14 (20) 40 (70) 9 Elementary occupations 6 (3) 11 (10) 33 (25) 0 Armed forces occupations 3 (1) 8 Plant and machine operators, and assemblers Total ISCO-08 (ISCO-88) 43 (28) 130 (116) 436 (390) Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 13

ISCO-08 Major Group 1 Managers 11 12 13 111 112 Chief executives, senior officials and legislators Legislators and senior officials Managing directors and chief executives 121 122 Administrative and commercial managers Business services and administration managers Sales, marketing and development managers 134 Production and specialised services managers Production managers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries Manufacturing, mining, construction, and distribution managers Information and communications technology service managers Professional services managers 141 142 143 Hospitality, retail and other services managers Hotel and restaurant managers Retail and wholesale trade managers Other services managers 131 132 133 14 Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 14

Sub-major groups in Major group 2, Professionals - ISCO-88 and ISCO-08 ISCO 88 ISCO-88 Title 08 ISCO-08 Title Code Physical, mathematical 21 Science and engineering 21 and engineering science professionals 22 Health professionals 23 Life science and health professionals Teaching professionals 23 Teaching professionals 24 Other professionals 24 Business and administration professionals Information and communications technology professionals Legal, social and cultural professionals 22 25 26 Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 15

22 Health professionals 2211 2212 2221 2222 2230 2240 2250 2261 2262 2263 2264 2265 2266 2267 2269 Medical doctors Generalist medical practitioners Specialist medical practitioners Nursing and midwifery professionals Nursing professionals Midwifery professionals Traditional and complementary medicine professionals Paramedical practitioners Veterinarians Other health professionals Dentists Pharmacists Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals Physiotherapists Dieticians and nutritionists Audiologists and speech therapists Optometrists and ophthalmic opticians Health professionals not elsewhere classified Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 16

Sub-major groups in Major group 3, Technicians and associate professionals - ISCO-88 and ISCO 08 ISCO 88 Code ISCO-88 Title ISCO-08 Title 08 Code 31 Physical and engineering science associate professionals 31 Science and engineering associate professionals 32 Life science and health associate professionals 32 Health associate professionals 33 Teaching associate professionals 33 Business and administration associate professionals 34 Other associate professionals 34 Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals 35 Information and communications technicians Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 17

Major group 4, Clerical support workers: Sub-major and minor groups 41 General and keyboard clerks 411 General office clerks 412 Secretaries (general) 413 Keyboard operators 42 Customer services clerks 421 Tellers, money collectors and related clerks 422 Client information workers 43 Numerical and material recording clerks 431 Numerical clerks 432 Material-recording and transport clerks 44 Other clerical support workers 441 Other clerical support workers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 18

Sales and Service Workers 51 Personal service workers 511 512 513 514 515 516 52 Travel attendants, conductors and guides Cooks Waiters and bartenders Hairdressers, beauticians and related workers Building and housekeeping supervisors Other personal services workers Sales workers 521 522 523 524 53 Street and market salespersons Shop salespersons Cashiers and ticket clerks Other sales workers Personal care workers 531 532 54 Child care workers and teachers' aides Carers in health services Protective services workers 541 Protective services workers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 19

52 Sales workers 521 Street and market salespersons 5211 Stall and market salespersons 5212 Street food salespersons 522 Shop salespersons 5221 Shop keepers 5222 Shop supervisors 5223 Shop sales assistants 523 Cashiers and ticket clerks 5230 Cashiers and ticket clerks 5241 5242 5243 5244 5245 5246 5249 Other sales workers Fashion and other models Sales demonstrators Door to door salespersons Contact centre salespersons Service station attendants Food service counter attendants Sales workers not elsewhere classified Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 20

Major group 6: Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers 61 Market-oriented skilled agricultural workers 6111 6112 6113 6114 6121 6122 6123 6129 6130 Market gardeners and crop growers Field crop and vegetable growers Tree and shrub crop growers Gardeners, horticultural and nursery growers Mixed crop growers Animal producers Livestock and dairy producers Poultry producers Apiarists and sericulturists Animal producers not elsewhere classified Mixed crop and animal producers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 21

62 Market-oriented skilled, forestry and fishery and hunting workers 621 Forestry and related workers 6210 Forestry and related workers 622 Fishery workers, hunters and trappers 6211 Aquaculture workers 6212 Inland coastal waters fishery workers 6213 Deep-sea fishery workers 6214 Hunters and trappers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 22

63 Subsistence farmers, fishers, hunters and gatherers • ISCO-88 Sub-major group 62, Subsistence agricultural workers has been retained – – • Name and code change Extra detail to reflect the minor group structure of 61 The definitions for this group and for Sub-major groups 61, 62 and 92 have been improved to make it clear that: – – – Workers engaged in agricultural, forestry and fisheries activities should be classified in Sub-major group 63 if the main aim of the production is to provide goods (mainly food) for consumption by the workers’ own household Those who only perform simple tasks requiring little judgement or experience should nevertheless be classified in Sub major group 92, Agricultural, forestry and fishery labourers Subsistence hunters, trappers and collectors should also be classified in Sub-major group 63 Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 23

63 Subsistence farmers, fishers, hunters and gatherers 631 Subsistence crop farmers 6310 Subsistence crop farmers 632 Subsistence livestock farmers 6320 Subsistence livestock farmers 633 Subsistence mixed crop and livestock farmers 6330 Subsistence mixed crop and livestock farmers 634 Subsistence fishers, hunters, trappers and gatherers 6340 Subsistence fishers, hunters, trappers and gatherers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 24

7 Craft and related trades workers 71 Building and related trades workers 711 Building frame and related trades workers 712 Building finishers and related trades workers 713 Painters, building structure cleaners and related trades workers 72 Metal, machinery and related trades workers 721 Sheet and structural metal workers, moulders and welders, and related workers 722 Blacksmiths, toolmakers and related trades workers 723 Machinery mechanics and repairers 73 Handicraft and printing workers 731 Handicraft workers 732 Printing trades workers 74 Electrotechnology trades workers 741 Electrical equipment installers and repairers 742 Electronics and telecommunications installers and repairers 75 Food processing, wood working, textile and other craft and related trades workers 751 752 753 754 Food processing and related trades workers Wood treaters, cabinet-makers and related trades workers Textile, garment and related trades workers Other craft and related workers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 25

8 Plant and machine operators, and assemblers 81 Stationary plant and machine operators 811 812 813 814 815 816 818 82 Mining and mineral processing plant operators Metal processing and finishing plant operators Chemical and photographic products plant and machine operators Rubber, plastic and paper products machine operators Textile, fur and leather products machine operators Food and related products machine operators Other stationary plant and machine operators Assemblers 821 Assemblers 83 Drivers and mobile plant operators 831 832 833 834 835 Locomotive engine drivers and related workers Car, van and motorcycle drivers Heavy truck and bus drivers Mobile plant operators Ships' deck crews and related workers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 26

9 Elementary occupations 91 Cleaners and helpers 92 Agricultural, fishery and forestry labourers 93 Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport 911 912 921 932 933 Domestic, hotel and office cleaners and helpers Vehicle, window, laundry and other hand cleaning workers Agricultural, fishery and forestry labourers Mining and construction labourers Manufacturing labourers Transport and storage labourers 94 Food preparation assistants 95 Street and related sales and service workers 96 Refuse workers and other elementary service workers 941 952 961 962 Food preparation assistants Street and related service workers Street vendors Refuse workers Other elementary service workers Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 27

Models for developing or adapting national classifications based on ISCO • Adopt ISCO directly for national use – – Much less than ideal Some small countries with limited resources have no other choice Collaborating with similar neighbouring countries may be an option Some work at national level is still required • Adapt ISCO to suit national circumstances – A popular choice • National occupation classification NOC is not based on ISCO – A common situation for countries with own tradition or history of occupation classification – May make adjustments to national classification to improve comparability with ISCO or take advantages of new features in ISCO Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 28

Possible points for discussion • • How suitable is ISCO-08 for use in national statistical applications in Africa? What types of adaptations need to be made to satisfy national analytical needs in African countries? – Is employment in your country concentrated in certain industries or occupational groups. ? Which ones? • • What steps do you need to take in advance of upcoming Censuses? Do you have the capacity (technical and resources) to undertake this work What kind of technical support is needed and how can this be provided? Are there opportunities for collaboration between countries on occupation classification? – Harmonization of occupational information in single labour markets (Eg East Africa) • Need for collaboration and coordination between ministries of labour, employment services and statistical offices on occupation classification. Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 29

Collection and coding of data on occupation Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 30

Occupation – information needed for coding • For accurate coding to any level of ISCO (and related national classifications) information is needed on: – Name or title of occupation – Main tasks or duties usually performed in the job • The following information may also be useful – The type of economic activity of the establishment (industry) – Whether or not the main aim of the activity is own consumption (subsistence) • Information about the level of skill or qualifications of an individual is not necessary and not useful Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 31

Occupation – types of question • Three types of question on occupation are typically used. – One or two pre-coded questions on the jobs that the individuals had (not recommended) – One (write-in) question to obtain occupation-relevant information about an individual’s job – Two or more (write-in) questions, a basic question on the title of the position held with follow-up on main tasks of the individual in the job Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 32

Occupation – single open-ended questions • A single question such as: a) What is the main occupation of (the person) in this workplace? b) What kind of work did (the person) do? may provide adequate information from some but not all respondents – But may yield responses such as ‘Manager’, ‘Consultant’, ‘Farm work’ that can not be coded accurately to any level of ISCO • Interviewers need to be trained to probe when information provided is insufficient • Two questions are preferred Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 33

Occupation – multiple openended questions • Use of separate questions on job title and tasks performed generally assures that sufficient detail is provided • Asking for two different types of information helps the respondent to respond fully, for example: Title: Sales manager Tasks: Selling used cars Title: Customer service consultant Tasks: Selling used cars Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 34

Occupation question – agricultural activities • Special attention should be given to subsistence farming: – Are separate job titles used for subsistence farmers? – If subsistence farming is significant consider an additional question: E. g. ‘Do you produce goods mainly for sale or mainly for your own or family use? ’ Ø 4 response categories are recommended such as: q q Only for sale Mainly for sale but partly for own or family use Mainly for own or family use but partly for sale Only for own or family use ü The respondent must decide whether production is mainly for sale or mainly for own consumption – If subsistence activity is collected as part of Status in employment question it should be used in occupation coding or edit process Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 35

Hypothetical questions recommended for testing and use (part 1) (In the main job held last week) what was (your) work or occupation? Please give full job title and be specific, for example: Fruit picker Legal secretary Restaurant manager Secondary school teacher Cattle farmer Registered nurse Occupation: ………………………………………… Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 36

Hypothetical questions recommended for testing and use (part 2) What are your main tasks or duties in that job? Please give details. For example: Picking and carrying oranges and peaches Preparing legal documents Managing the operations of a restaurant Teaching mathematics Managing a cattle farm Caring for the sick and administering medications Main tasks or duties: ……………………………………………………………………………… …… Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 37

Coding occupation data • The main aim of the coding process – To determine and record correctly to which of the categories in the respective classifications the jobs belong • at the most detailed level of the classification possible on the basis of the information provided in the responses • Responses to up to four open ended questions have to be assigned to the appropriate category in an occupation classification • Not a simple process • Responses to questions on occupation (title and tasks), industry and name and address of workplace are relevant • Coding should be done using an index of occupations based on words used in surveys – Mapping directly to the classification is error prone and inefficient! Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 38

Strategic coding and processing options • Field or office coding? – The following choices are available: 1. The interviewer codes in the field, either during the interview or before the questionnaire is forwarded for further processing • OR • A variation on pre-coded questions Enumerator writes down the response (or keywords) and codes the response after the interview using an index. 2. Specially trained coders code in connection with consistency checks of the questionnaire and data entry • Office coding – the preferred option in most cases Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 39

Office coding • Can be done manually with a paper index, or with computer assistance • Can be combined with automatic coding • Coders may specialize in the coding of one (or a few) variables or deal with the whole form • Coders need to be thoroughly trained and tested before they start coding • Quality of coding operations can and should be rigorously controlled Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 40

What is a coding index? • The key instrument for matching responses to questions with classification codes • It can be in the form of a durable printed publication, a loose-leaf binder, computer printout, or a machine readable file within a computer system – The same index can be used in all of these forms • Formal names for classification categories (Eg education manager) are not usually the same as terms normally used to describe jobs and industrial activities • The index entries usually includes a code for one or more classification systems, and some words based on responses given in censuses and surveys • The index is searched alphabetically but can also be sorted in code order for updating and query resolution Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 41

Developing and updating a coding index • • Index must be in place before the coding operations start Basis should be responses to questions in surveys The same index should be used in all household based collections Collection and coding of elements to be included in the index should be done by experts in the classification concerned Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 42

Organization and structure of the index • Two basic approaches – All-inclusive – Structured • In an all-inclusive index every type of response should in theory have an entry in the index, usually in natural word order – Size of index may slow down coding process – Irrelevant words have to be included in the index – Inevitably, many responses do not match exactly with an entry in the index – Supplementary information from task, industry and place of work questions are not used systematically – May work efficiently and accurately in automatic coding Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 43

Organization and structure of the index (2) • A structured index does not include every possible response – Irrelevant words are omitted – Each entry starts with a key word – If the key word is insufficient to uniquely identify a category, one or more qualifying words or phrases are added Response: keyword/first qualifying word/second qualifying word Cost accountant: accountant/cost Drilling machine operator: operator/machine/drilling Aircraft instrument maker: maker/instrument/aircraft Room maid: maid/room Marine biologist: biologist/marine Capstan lathe setter-operator: setter-operator/capstan lathe Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 44

Automatic and computer assisted coding • Both approaches use computing power to speed up process of searching an index, identifying matching responses, following coding rules and recording the correct code • In Computer assisted coding (CAC) the coder enters a small number of characters from key and qualifying words – Matching index entries are displayed and coder selects matching entry – Correct code is recorded by coder or the computer or a query is raised • In automatic coding (AC) responses are key entered or captured photographically, then matched automatically by the computer – Match rates of up to 70% have been achieved – Remaining entries are coded using CAC – Requires a high degree of sophistication and a very well designed index • Software solutions are available at low cost but cost of integration into larger processing systems may be high Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 45

Data collection and coding– points for discussion • What problems do you foresee in collecting and producing employment statistics classified by occupation in your country? • For example – Is subsistence agriculture important in your country and how can you measure it? – What questions have been used in existing national surveys? Do you need to change these. – How will you capture, code and process data on occupation? Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 46

Recap on discussion points from Part 1 • • How suitable is ISCO-08 for use in national statistical applications in Africa? What types of adaptations need to be made to satisfy national analytical needs in African countries? – Is employment in your country concentrated in certain industries or occupational groups. ? Which ones? • • What steps do you need to take in advance of upcoming Censuses? Do you have the capacity (technical and resources) to undertake this work What kind of technical support is needed and how can this be provided? Are there opportunities for collaboration between countries on occupation classification? – Harmonization of occupational information in single labour markets (Eg East Africa) • Need for collaboration and coordination between ministries of labour, employment services and statistical offices on occupation classification. Workshop on Challenges and Strategies in Improving Labour Statistics in Africa Bamako, Mali – 22 – 24 November 2010 47