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OFO Codes And Occupational Categories
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The OFO is a skill-based coded classification system, which encompasses all occupation in the South African context. The classification of occupations is based on a combination of skill level and skill specialisation which makes it easy to locate a specific occupation within the framework.
It is important to note that a ‘job’ and ‘occupation’ are not the same. The following definitions are applied in the OFO:
- ‘Job’ is seen as a set of roles and tasks designed to be performed by one individual for an employer (including self-employment) in return for payment or profit.
- ‘Occupation’ is seen as a set of jobs or specialisations whose main tasks are characterised by such a high degree of similarity that they can be grouped together for the purposes of classification.
The occupations identified in the OFO, therefore, represent a category that could encompass several jobs or specialisations, e.g. the occupation ‘General Accountant’ would also cover the specialisations ‘Financial Analyst’ and ‘Insolvency Practitioner’.
Identified occupations are classified according to two main criteria: skills level and skills specialisation, where skill is used in the context of competency rather than a description of tasks or functions.
The skill level of an occupation is related to competent performance of tasks associated with an occupation. Skill level is an attribute of an occupation, not of individuals in the labour force and can be measured operationally by:
- The level or amount of formal education and/or training;
- The amount of previous experience in a related occupation; and/or
- The amount of on-the-job training usually required to perform the set of tasks required for that occupation competently
It is therefore possible to make a comparison between the skill level of an occupation and the normally required educational level on the National Qualifications Framework as well as entry, intermediate and advanced levels referred to in the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS).
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