Meeting of the Expert Group on International Economic and Social Classifications, New York, 18-20 June 2001

ESA/STAT/AC.78/13

13 June 2001

UNITED NATIONS

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

STATISTICS DIVISION

Meeting of the Expert Group on

International Economic and

Social Classifications

New York, 18-20 June 2001

Comments on the updating of ISCO-88

Albert Jacques

CBS Netherlands

To:		Expert Group
From:		Albert Jacques
Subject:		ESA/STAT/AC.78.8 Update of ISCO-88
Date:		13 June 2001

Consultation of our experts results in the following remarks:

1. Statistics Netherlands is applying a NSOC, called Standaard Beroepen Classificatie (standard classification of occupations). Correspondence with ISCO - 88 is difficult and sometimes impossible. The system used by Statistics Netherlands however makes use of ISCO - 88 possible. Occupations are classified using a sub-classification containing building blocks that can be linked both to ISCO - 88 as the NSOC.

2. In our opinion is the present way of applying skill levels no longer useable.

	Major groups	Sub-major groups	Minor groups	Unit groups	ISCO skill level
1	Legislators...	3	8	33	--
2	Professionals	4	18	55	4th
3	Technicians...	4	21	73	3rd
4	Clerks	2	7	23	*2nd*
5	Service workers...	2	9	23	*2nd*
6	Skilled agricultural ..	4	6	17	*2nd*
7	Craft and related ...	3	16	70	*2nd*
8	Plant and machine...	3	20	70	*2nd*
9	Elementary occupations	3	10	25	1st
0	Armed forces	1	1	1	--

Some 52 % of the occupations have the second ISCO skill level. And major groups 1 and 0 are not linked to any skill level at all. The skill level should be linked to the new ISCED and doing that harmonisation would become possible with the statistics of education and the ISCO should be better adapted to the recent developments. When ISCO is updated an update of skill level should be included.

Our expert in this field Mrs Mies Bernelot Moens (email MBRT2.cbs.nl) mentioned the needs of a national temporary employment agency called Randstad. Randstad (an European multinational) has problems with exchange of personnel using present NSOC's and ISCO-88. They certainly would favour an update of ISCO - 88 and implementation of that update. Possibly they are willing to supply knowledge or funds.

Mrs. Bernelot Moens is interested in participating in the work as consultant and also is interested in the website. Is there any fixed date known yet to start up the website? She will co-operate in supplying information about methods and classification of occupations in Statistics Netherlands.