A framework for measuring tasks across occupations: concepts and applications
Martina Bisello, Research officer, Eurofound INAPP, 30th November, Rome
Outline of the talk
1. The task content of jobs: European Jobs Monitor task framework 2. Applications of our proposal to (static and dynamic) labour
market analysis
• A task profile for each job in the economy
• Evolution of tasks over time: a compositional effect?
• Implications of Skills Forecasting Model for the tasks structure of employment in Europe
• A focus on manufacturing: qualitative analysis of changes in the nature of work
EJM framework for measuring tasks across jobs
FEATURESKEY High level of detail:
richer understanding of task distribution
and interactions
A comprehensive framework: all the
relevant aspects of work
What people do at work and how
people work.
A hierarchical structure: break- down of significant
findings
The task breakdown
1. Physical tasks: physical manipulation and transformation of material things:
a. Strength b. Dexterity
2. Intellectual tasks: manipulation and transformation of information and the active resolution of complex problems:
a. Information processing: processing of codified information
• Literacy: processing of verbal information
• Numeracy: processing of numerical information b. Problem solving: finding solutions to complex/new issues
• Information gathering and evaluation
• Creativity: finding a solution
In terms of the content
3. Social tasks: interaction with other people:
a. Serving/attending
b. Teaching/training/coaching c. Selling/influencing
d. Managing/coordinating
The task breakdown (cont’d)
In terms of the methods and tools
1. Methods: forms of work organisation used in performing the tasks:
a. Autonomy: self-direction and decision latitude b. Teamwork: working in small groups
c. Routine
• Repetitiveness
• Standardization
2. Tools: type of technology used at work:
a. Machines (excluding ICT)
b. Information and communication technologies
• Basic ICT
• Programming
Mapping sources to elements in the task model
Available online resources
Full dataset of task indicators and methodological paper can be downloaded here:
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/emcc/european-jobs-monitor
Task profile of 4 specific jobs
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
Strength Dexterity Business Technical Humanities Calculating Analysis Problem Solving Serving Selling Teaching Managing Autonomy Teamwork Repetitiveness Standardization Machines Basic ICT Programming
Public administration clerks Doctors Office and building cleaners Building and related trades in construction Physical Intellectual Social Methods Tools
Literacy Numeracy Problem-solving
EU15, EU-LFS data as weights
Fewer routine jobs, but more routine work
European Working Conditions Survey and EU-Labour Force Survey data, 1995-2015, EU-15
Compositional change
Reported change
Repetitiveness -3.4% +5.6%
Standardisation -1.7% +10.33%
Managers and professionals are among the occupational groups that reported the largest increases in the levels of standardisation.
Future change in the task profile (2016 – 2030),
EU
Change in task profile in the EU in the 1
stjob-
wage quintile (2016 – 2030)
Change in task profile in the EU in the 3
rdjob-
wage quintile (2016 – 2030)
Change in task indices in the EU in the 5
thjob-
wage quintile (2016 – 2030)
Changing nature of jobs in the manufacturing sector: are blue collar jobs turning white?
more developed ICT skillsc
reading technical documentation
dealing with numerical information
troubleshooting production lines and handling errors
Use of digitally controlled
equipment use of benchmarking
documentation
monitoring performance indicators
assessing numerical targets
documenting problems and filling in forms
Use of quality control and
standards
Concluding remarks
• Tasks are a fundamental unit of analysis in the context of the debate on automation of work.
• The identification of the tasks actually performed at work is a necessary first step in the identification of skill needs both present and future.
• We propose a detailed and comprehensive task framework to capture all relevant aspects of work, and its applications both for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Tasks change over time: predicting what jobs may be more at risk of automation on the basis of their current task composition and intensity may only give a partial assessment of the potential problem of technological unemployment.
