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Introduction

The preparation of a Career and Occupational Dictionary requires agreement on the various occupations that should be included.  It is proposed to use a modified version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO 88), adapted to meet the special circumstances of Bhutan, in the preparation of the Dictionary.

In applying ISCO 88 to Bhutan's circumstances, it is important to stress that this classification refers to occupations, not jobs or positions.

An occupation refers to a group of jobs in which the tasks performed are  reasonably similar with regard to the tasks performed and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for their successful performance. Primary teacher, computer programmer, civil engineer, accountant, nurse, sales person, airline pilot, secretary, and security guard, are all examples of occupations.

A job is comprised of a set of tasks, whether mental or physical, performed by a person.  Although many jobs are similar, each one must be defined in accordance with the specific tasks to be performed in that job.

A position or post usually refers to the level of a job within the organization or enterprise. A position gives some information about the type of occupation involved, but provides no information on the actual job itself.  For example, Senior Technical Officer, Level 1, is a position and provides no information about the actual job or work to be performed.  Information on positions is of little help in choosing a career. 

Although it is possible to define every job, in practice this is an enormous task because each job is different. It is possible, however, to group jobs into occupations to assist people in making career choices.

ISCO 88 refers to ten (10) occupational groups, as follows.

1.Legislators, senior officials and managers

2.Professionals

3.Technicians and associate professionals

4.Clerks

5.Service workers, shop and sales workers

6.Skilled agricultural and fishery workers

7.Craft and related trade workers

8.Plant and machine operators

9.Elementary occupations

0.Armed forces

Each of these occupational groups is divided into various sub-groups, and with each individual occupation being identified by an occupation code number. 

It is proposed that the Career and Occupational Dictionary include some 300 entries on individual occupations of relevance to career choice in the Kingdom, as indicated below.  These occupations cover all sectors, namely, government, corporate and private.