Good occupations

From time to time I get nostalgic about the large classification schemes which were around in the 80's of the last century, about CODOT in particular, for which I have retained the three volume hard copy through numerous culls. CODOT being a classification of occupation. See, for example, reference 1.

So I was pleased to be reminded by the Kurzweil organisation today that such classifications still exist, with something called the SOC code running to no less than 6 digits. Standard occupational classification. And surprised to find that the SOC code is actually a descendant of CODOT and lives in our own ONS stable. Large classification schemes are alive and well and still run to three volumes! See reference 2.

But there is a snag. They do one in the US too, to be found at the rather nicely organised reference 3, and a quick check suggests that it is the US SOC which has been used in the table snapped above. Britannia does not rule these particular waves. And don't be confused by all the talk of  OES; SOC is what they are about.

The point of the table is to list the twenty five occupations in the US which are least under threat from automation, so all career changers and school leavers take note. Unsurprising headline message: health and caring occupations good!

Other graphics point out that jobs in parts of the developing world are under even greater threat. Maybe their problem is their dependence on factory work, on the manufacture of cheap consumer goods for the developed world. Work which can be done by robots. And for once, the UK is back on top of the heap, with the smallest proportion of jobs under this particular threat, a modest 35%. Maybe all those creative types in Old Street are doing something useful after all.

Reference 1: http://psmv2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/dream-time.html.

Reference 2: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/classifications/current-standard-classifications/soc2010/index.html.

Reference 3: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm#29-0000.