Employer Skills Survey 2024



Staff job roles online prompt cards

Please select the broad sector that best fits your establishment from the list below. This will make the examples shown more relevant to you.


Transport, Retail or Wholesale

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Shop owners)
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Office assistants, office managers
  • Database assistants
  • Stock control clerks & assistants
  • Transport & distribution clerks & assistants
  • Customer service managers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners, security guards
  • Labourers
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Packers, goods handling
  • Storage staff, shelf fillers
  • Postal workers, messengers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Couriers)
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers, including train / HGV / van / fork lift / bus / taxi drivers
  • Couriers
  • Machine operatives
  • Routine inspectors and testers
  • Food, drink & tobacco process operatives
  • Tyre, exhaust & windscreen fitters
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Sales assistants, sales supervisors, sales representatives
  • Customer service occupations (excluding customer service managers)
  • Call centre agents
  • Window dressers
  • Pharmacy & other dispensing assistants
  • Telephonists
  • Shopkeepers (including owners)
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Merchandisers, Customer service managers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Air / rail travel assistants
  • Beauticians, hairdressers & barbers
  • Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
  • Caretakers
  • Care assistants, nursery nurses / childminders (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Electricians, plumbers
  • Butchers, bakers, fishmongers
  • Vehicle technicians
  • Mechanics & electricians
  • IT engineers
  • Florists
  • Chefs
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Science and engineering technicians)
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Accounting technicians
  • Health and safety officers
  • Human resources officers
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • Sales accounts managers , business sales executives (excluding Marketing managers)
  • Merchandisers
  • Business development managers
  • Buyers, buying and purchasing officers
  • Photographers, writers
  • Estate agents, auctioneers
  • IT / science / engineering / lab technicians
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Sales representatives, Graphic designers)
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Programmers, software development and IT professionals
  • Web design & development professionals
  • Accountants, taxation experts
  • Solicitors, lawyers
  • Economists
  • Business & financial project managers, marketing managers
  • Journalists, newspaper editors
  • Graphic designers
  • Engineering professionals
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.

Business and Other Services, Finance or Insurance

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Office assistants, office managers
  • Pension and insurance clerks
  • Database assistants
  • Legal secretaries (not including paralegals and legal executives)
  • Library clerks & assistants
  • Customer service managers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners, security guards
  • Labourers
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Postal workers, messengers
  • Launderers, dry cleaners & pressers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Couriers)
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers
  • Couriers
  • Machine operatives
  • Routine inspectors & testers
  • Driving instructors
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Sales assistants, sales supervisors
  • Customer care occupations (excluding customer service managers)
  • Call centre agents, telephone salespersons
  • Market research interviewers
  • Telephonists
  • Sales representatives
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Customer service managers, buying and purchasing officers, estate agents or auctioneers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Caretakers
  • Care assistants, nursery nurses / childminders (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
  • Care workers and home carers
  • Hairdressers & barbers, beauticians
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Electricians, electronic trades
  • Chefs, cooks
  • Catering and bar managers
  • Printers
  • TV engineers, IT engineers
  • Gardeners / groundsmen
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Science and engineering technicians)
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Human resources & industrial relations officers
  • Accounting technicians
  • Health and safety officers
  • Insurance underwriters
  • Sales managers
  • Sales account & business development managers, business sales executives (excluding Marketing managers)
  • Buyers, buying and purchasing officers
  • Writers
  • Artists / musicians
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • Estate agents, auctioneers
  • Conference / exhibition managers, organisers
  • IT / science / engineering / lab technicians
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Sales representatives, Journalists, Graphic designers, Investment analysts / advisors)
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Programmers, software development and IT professionals
  • Web design & development professionals
  • Accountants, taxation experts
  • Solicitors, lawyers, barristers & judges
  • Paralegals, legal executives
  • Economists
  • Management consultants & business analysts
  • Investment analysts / advisors
  • Market research / Marketing / Social Media analysts, marketing managers
  • Architects
  • Graphic designers
  • Journalists
  • Chartered / Quantity surveyors
  • Advertising accounts managers / creative directors
  • Engineering professionals
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.

Manufacturing, Construction or Agriculture

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Office managers
  • Database assistants, office assistants
  • Stock control clerks and assistants
  • Customer service managers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners, security guards
  • Labourers
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Packers, goods handling
  • Storage staff
  • Farm / forestry / fishing workers
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers
  • Machine operatives
  • HGV / van / fork lift drivers
  • Sorters, assemblers
  • Scaffolders / stagers / riggers
  • Routine inspectors / testers
  • Metal / plastics / rubber / wood / textile process operatives
  • Quarry workers
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Sales assistants, sales supervisors
  • Customer care occupations (excluding customer service managers)
  • Call centre / contact centre occupations
  • Telephonists
  • Sales representatives
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Customer service managers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Caretakers
  • Care assistants, nursery nurses / childminders (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
  • Animal care services
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Veterinary nurses)
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Electricians, electrical trades
  • Plumbers, heating & ventilating installers and repairers
  • Printers
  • Farmers
  • Carpenters, furniture makers
  • Mechanics
  • Machine setters / tool makers
  • Painters & decorators
  • Plasterers, roofers, glaziers
  • Bricklayers and masons
  • Metal working production and maintenance fitters
  • Welding trades
  • Gardeners / landscape gardeners
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Science and engineering technicians)
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Science and engineering technicians
  • IT technicians, lab technicians
  • Accounting technicians
  • Human resources officers
  • Health and safety officers
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • Sales accounts managers, business sales executives (excluding Marketing managers)
  • Business development managers
  • Draughtspersons
  • Building & civil engineering technicians
  • Estimators, valuers & assessors
  • Product designers
  • Veterinary nurses
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Sales representatives)
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Software and IT professionals
  • Accountants, taxation experts
  • Marketing managers
  • Solicitors, lawyers
  • Economists
  • Professional engineers
  • Chemists
  • Scientific researchers
  • Architects
  • Quality control & planning engineers
  • Construction project managers
  • Quantity / Chartered surveyors
  • Programmers & software developers
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.

Hospitality, Catering or Leisure Services

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Office assistants, office managers
  • Customer service managers
  • Database assistants
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners, security guards
  • Labourers
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Bar staff; waiters & waitresses
  • Dry cleaners, launderers
  • Leisure & theme park attendants
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers, including HGV / van / fork-lift drivers
  • Machine operatives
  • Food, drink & tobacco process operatives
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Sales assistants, retail cashiers
  • Customer service occupations (excluding customer service managers)
  • Telesales, call centre agents
  • Telephonists
  • Sales representatives
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Sales / customer service managers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Travel agents, travel assistants
  • Sport and leisure assistants
  • Hairdressers and beauticians
  • Care assistants, nursery nurses / childminders (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
  • Housekeepers, caretakers
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Chefs, cooks
  • Catering and bar managers
  • Butchers, bakers
  • Gardeners / landscape gardeners
  • Groundsmen & greenkeepers
  • Electricians, plumbers, printers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Science and engineering technicians)
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Sales managers, sales accounts managers (excluding Marketing managers)
  • Fitness instructors, sports coaches, instructors and officials (excluding sports therapists)
  • Conference & exhibition managers & organisers
  • Buying and purchasing officers
  • Human resources officers
  • Accounting technicians
  • Health and safety officers
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • IT / science / lab technicians
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Sales representatives)
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Therapy professionals (including sports therapists), nurses
  • Programmers, software development and IT professionals
  • Web design & development professionals
  • Accountants, taxation experts, economists
  • Marketing managers
  • Solicitors, lawyers
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.

Health or Social Care

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Office assistants, office managers
  • Database assistants
  • Customer service managers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners, security guards
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Launderers, dry cleaners & pressers
  • Hospital porters
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers
  • Machine operatives
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Sales assistants, sales supervisors
  • Call centre agents
  • Customer service occupations (excluding customer service managers)
  • Telephonists
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Customer service managers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Care assistants, nursery nurses / childminders (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
  • Housekeepers, caretakers
  • Home carers
  • Ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
  • Teaching assistants (excluding Higher level teaching assistants)
  • Dental nurses
  • Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
  • Houseparents & residential wardens
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Professional medical nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, social workers, paramedics, veterinary nurses)
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Chefs, cooks
  • Catering managers
  • Gardeners, landscape gardeners, groundsmen & greenkeepers
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Veterinary nurses
  • Youth and Community workers
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • Higher level teaching assistants
  • Human resources officers
  • Sports coaches, instructors & officials (excluding sports therapists)
  • Medical & dental technicians
  • Pharmaceutical technicians
  • Accounting technicians
  • Health and safety officers
  • IT / science / engineering / lab technicians
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Paramedics)
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Doctors, nurses, midwives
  • Psychologists
  • Social workers
  • Paramedics
  • Occupational therapists
  • Medical practitioners
  • Speech and language therapists
  • Sports therapists
  • Pharmacists
  • Veterinarians
  • Dental practitioners
  • Software and IT professionals
  • Accountants, taxation experts, solicitors, lawyers
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.

Public Sector or Education

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Local government officers, civil servant (grades AA, AO & EO)
  • Office managers, office supervisors, office assistants
  • Customer service managers
  • Database assistants
  • HR administrators
  • Library clerks and assistants
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners, security guards
  • Labourers
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Road sweepers
  • School midday and crossing patrol occupations
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Traffic wardens)
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers
  • Machine operatives
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Call centre agents
  • Customer service occupations (excluding customer service managers)
  • Sales / retail assistants, sales supervisors
  • Telephonists
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Customer service managers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Caretakers, housekeepers
  • Care workers, home carers
  • Educational support assistants (excluding Pastoral support workers)
  • Nursery nurses and assistants (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
  • Teaching assistants (excluding higher level teaching assistants)
  • Pest control officers
  • Animal care occupations
  • Sport and leisure assistants
  • Traffic wardens
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Social workers, youth workers, welfare officers)
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Electricians, plumbers
  • Chefs, cooks
  • Printers
  • Gardeners & landscape gardeners
  • Groundsmen and greenkeepers
  • IT engineers
  • Construction and building trades
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Science and engineering technicians)
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Accounting technicians
  • Human resources officers
  • Health and safety officers
  • Junior police/fire/prison officers
  • Community workers
  • Pastoral support workers
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • Higher level teaching assistants
  • Careers advisors
  • Welfare / Housing associate professionals
  • Youth and community workers
  • Vocational / Industrial trainers and instructors
  • IT / science / engineering / lab technicians
  • Writers
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Programmers, software development and IT professionals
  • Web design & development professionals
  • Accountants, taxation experts
  • Solicitors, lawyers, barristers & judges
  • Economists
  • Teachers
  • Social workers
  • Librarians
  • Engineers
  • Occupational therapists
  • Journalists
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Writers)
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.

None of the above / Other

Example job roles
Category description
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials
  • Direction and co-ordination of organisations and businesses
  • Management of internal departments and sections
This categorisation covers occupations where main tasks consist of planning, directing and coordinating resources to achieve the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses. Working proprietors in small businesses are included. This can include the management of internal departments / sections.
Admin & secretarial
  • Secretaries, receptionists, PAs
  • Book-keepers, credit controllers/wage clerks
  • Office assistants, office managers
  • Local government officers
  • HR administrators
  • Customer service managers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Telephonists)
Occupations undertake general admin, clerical, secretarial work and perform a variety of specialist client orientated administrative duties. Most occupations will require a good standard of general education.
Elementary occupations
  • Cleaners
  • Packers, goods handling / storage
  • Kitchen/catering assistants
  • Waiting staff, bar staff
  • Security guards
  • Launderers, dry cleaners & pressers
  • Farm / forestry / fishing workers
  • Postal workers, messengers
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Couriers)
Covers occupations that involve mostly routine tasks usually involving use of simple hand held tools and in some cases physical effort. Most do not require formal educational qualifications.
Process, plant & machine operatives
  • Vehicle operators / drivers
  • Couriers
  • Machine operatives
  • Assemblers and sorters
  • Quarry workers
  • Scaffolders
Occupations whose main tasks are to operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; to assemble products from component parts according to strict rules and procedures and to subject assembled parts to routine tests; and to drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles and other mobile machinery. Most will not have a particular standard of education but will usually have formal experience related training.
Sales & Customer Service Occupations
  • Sales assistants, sales / supervisors
  • Call centre agents, telesales
  • Customer care occupations, customer service supervisors (excluding customer service managers)
  • Telephonists
  • Sales representatives
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Customer service managers)
Sales and customer services occupations sell goods and services, accept payment and replenish stocks, provide information to potential clients and additional services to customers after the point of sale. Most occupations in this group require a general education and skills in interpersonal communication.
Caring, Leisure & Other Service Occupations
  • Care assistants, nursery nurses / childminders (excluding Childcare / Early Years practitioners)
  • Housekeepers, caretakers
  • Travel agents / assistants
  • Hairdressers and beauticians
  • Educational support assistants (excluding Pastoral support workers)
  • Animal care services (not including Veterinary nurses)
  • Air / rail travel assistants
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Professional medical nurses, social workers or paramedics)
Occupations that involve provision of service to customers whether in a public protective or personal care capacity. The main tasks involved usually include the care of the sick, the elderly and infirm; the care and supervision of children; the care of animals; and the provision of travel, personal care and hygiene services.
Skilled Trades Occupations
  • Electricians, plumbers, carpenters
  • IT engineers, TV engineers
  • Mechanics
  • Chefs, cooks, butchers, bakers
  • Catering and bar managers
  • Gardeners / groundsmen, florists
  • Construction and building trades
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Science and engineering technicians)
These require a substantial period of training. Main tasks involve the performance of complex physical duties that normally involve initiative, manual dexterity and other practical skills.
Associate Professional Occupations
  • Human resources officers
  • Accounting technicians
  • Health and safety officers
  • Pastoral support workers
  • Childcare / Early Years practitioners
  • Sales managers, accounts managers
  • Estate agents, auctioneers
  • Conference / exhibition managers, organisers
  • Sports coaches, instructors & officials (excluding sports therapists)
  • Product designers
  • IT / science / engineering / lab technicians
  • (NOT THE FOLLOWING: Sales representatives, Graphic designers)
Main tasks require experience and knowledge to assist in supporting professionals or managers. Most will have relevant high level vocational qualifications involving a substantial period of full time training or further study.
Professional Occupations
  • Programmers, software development and IT professionals
  • Doctors, nurses, midwives
  • Sports therapists
  • Solicitors, lawyers, accountants, taxation experts
  • Social workers
  • Teachers
  • Management consultants & business analysts
  • Engineering professionals
  • Construction project managers
  • Journalists, newspaper editors
  • Graphic designers
Occupations will usually require a degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training. Main tasks will involve practical application of theoretical knowledge and increasing stock of knowledge through communicating and teaching.