Why OccuCollect Provides a More Reliable Job Number Estimate -- A Cascading of Occupational Attributes

The nature of work has changed since the Dictionary of Occupational Titles was last published in 1991 and certainly changed since 10,000 of the 13,000 DOT codes were last updated in 1977.  Occupations have become obsolete; new occupations emerged; and other occupations morphed into something new.  When we look at an occupation and ascertain its job numbers, we typically examine gross job numbers (Occupational Outlook Handbook, Employment Projections, and Occupational Employment Statistics) and then whittle that number down using industry (Employment Projections, and Occupational Employment Statistics).  Once we get that that density model of occupational groups existing within specific industries, the trick requires an estimation of the number of jobs attributable to different occupations at that occupation-industry intersection.  The Occupational Employment Quarterly uses equal distribution at the occupational level.  Job Browser Pro uses equal distribution at the occupation-industry intersection.

OccuCollect uses a different methodology.  OccuCollect examines the gross number of jobs within the occupational group and then uses either the Occupational Requirements Survey or the O*NET Resource Center report of education, training, and experience to ascertain the number of unskilled jobs within the group.  Cascading the work requirements on the Specific Vocational Preparation separates the jobs by strength, sitting, standing, walking, or manipulation ... for example.  For the cognitive-emotional requirements of work, the O*NET Work Context reports work best for establishing the amount of contact with others, interaction with the public, dealing with conflict, and the need for teamwork ... for example.

Job Browser Pro and the Occupational Employment Quarterly assume the presence of unskilled work or the presence of light work based on the number of DOT codes counted.  That method assumes a fact without evidence.  Better to use the estimates of the percentage of jobs that represent unskilled and light work from the survey of the economy conducted by the Department of Labor.

See When to Use Occu Collect.