Occupation

Occupations and jobs

An occupation is a grouping of jobs involving similar tasks and which require a similar skills set. Occupations should not be confused with jobs or job titles. While a job is bound to a specific work context and executed by one person, occupations group jobs by common characteristics.

Example:

Being the "project manager for the development of the ventilation system of the Superfly 900 aircraft" is a job.

"Project manager", "aircraft engine specialist" or "heating, ventilation, air conditioning engineer" could be occupations, i.e. groups of jobs, to which this job belongs.

Occupations can be used as job titles. An employer recruiting for the above mentioned position can title the vacancy notice with the name of an occupation, e.g. "project manager".

Occupations in ESCO

ESCO contains occupations, not jobs. Occupations in ESCO cover all types of labour market activities including unpaid activities, voluntary work, self-employment and political mandates (if the mandate is an occupation itself). The size of the business or activity is not important, as long as the occupations are relevant for the European labour market.

The occupations in ESCO are organised in the occupations pillar.