Dr. Janet E. Wall Senior Trainer, O*NET Academy

An O*NET Academy BriefingAn O*NET Academy Briefing

Staying Current: A Behind Staying Current: A Behind the Scenes Look at the the Scenes Look at the O*NET Data Collection O*NET Data Collection

ProcessProcess

An O*NET Academy BriefingAn O*NET Academy Briefing

Staying Current: A Behind Staying Current: A Behind the Scenes Look at the the Scenes Look at the O*NET Data Collection O*NET Data Collection

ProcessProcessDr. Janet E. WallDr. Janet E. Wall

Senior Trainer, O*NET Academy

ObjectivesObjectives

• To review the O*NET content model

• To describe the data elements of the model

• Illustrate how data are collected

• Explain how O*NET database is updated

O*NET Content ModelO*NET Content Model

Worker CharacteristicsWorker Characteristics

Worker RequirementsWorker Requirements

Experience RequirementsExperience Requirements

Occupation RequirementsOccupation Requirements

Workforce CharacteristicsWorkforce Characteristics

Occupation-Specific InformationOccupation-Specific Information

Each Can Be ExpandedEach Can Be Expanded

Basic Skills Expanded

Cross-Functional ExampleCross-Functional Example

Cross Functional Skills Expanded

How Data Were ObtainedHow Data Were Obtained

• Started with the DOT (12,000 occupations)– This information populated O*NET

• Taxonomy moved to Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) (OMB mandate for agencies that collect data)

• Data Collection initiated by DoL

Total DataTotal Data

• More than 275 pieces of information are collected on occupations.

• A portion of the occupations are updated each year.

• Full update every 5 years for 812 occupations• Data now collected for all 812, but is now being

analyzed and will be incorporated soon• Updates twice per year through June 2008 when

first whole update is complete

Data IncorporationData Incorporation

• Database is posted on www.onetcenter.org – Development database– Posted 3 months before incorporated into O*NET

Online– Allows people to incorporate data into their own

systems

• Information is included in www.online.onetcenter.org– Production database

How Data are UpdatedHow Data are Updated

• DoL (via RTI) collects information from employees and occupation experts

• Information is collected using a two-stage design in which: – a statistically random sample of businesses

expected to employ workers in the targeted occupations is identified

– a random sample of workers in those occupations within those businesses are selected

How Data are UpdatedHow Data are Updated

• The O*NET questions have been organized into several different questionnaires covering various aspects of the occupation.

• Download the questionnaires at http://www.onetcenter.org

• Each questionnaire is expected to take 30 minutes to complete.

• Questionnaires are p/p, computerized, in Spanish.

Questionnaire CompletionQuestionnaire Completion• Each worker sampled from an establishment is asked to

complete one of the questionnaires related to their occupation. Occupational experts also answer these items.

• Occupational experts complete each one.

– General Work Activities Questionnaire

– Skills Questionnaire

– Knowledge Questionnaire

– Work Context Questionnaire

General Work Activities General Work Activities Questionnaire - InstructionsQuestionnaire - Instructions

41 Actual Item Pairs41 Actual Item Pairs

Item 2Item 2

Item 3Item 3

Skills Questionnaire – 35 ItemsSkills Questionnaire – 35 Items

Item 2Item 2

Item 3Item 3

Knowledge QuestionnaireKnowledge Questionnaire

Item 2Item 2

Item 3Item 3

Work Context and Work Style Work Context and Work Style Questionnaire – 54 Items Questionnaire – 54 Items

Work Context (con’t)Work Context (con’t)

Other Items on Work Context Other Items on Work Context QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Work Style ItemsWork Style Items

For Tasks – Tailored to OccupationFor Tasks – Tailored to Occupation

Every employee in the sample completes the task questionnaire.

Tasks QuestionnaireTasks Questionnaire

MoreMore

Another OccupationAnother Occupation

Example TasksExample Tasks

MoreMoreEmployees can add tasks.

Update ScheduleUpdate Schedule

T2 and Job ZoneT2 and Job Zone

• Scraping website information and other means to obtain tools and technology information

• Education, training, and experience is collected from each employee

Future PlansFuture Plans• Focus on collecting data for occupations that are

in demand, high growth, or new and emerging.• Publish new data once a year for approximately

100 occupations.• Publish new interest and work values

information for all 812 occupations in the summer of 2008.

• Continue to update and improve the lay title database.

• Collect T2 information for another 100 occupations

Latest InformationLatest Informationhttp://www.onetcenter.org

Sign Up for UpdatesSign Up for Updates

ConclusionConclusion

• To review the O*NET content model• To describe the data elements of the model• Illustrate how data are collected from employees• Explain how O*NET database is updated• Important links

– http://online.onetcenter.org (O*NET Online)– http://www.onetcenter.org (O*NET Resource Center)– http://www.onetacademy.com (information, training

and archived webinars)

Questions??Questions??

Other WebinarsOther Webinars• How to Download and Use the Computerized Working

Interest Profiler and Work Importance Profiler• Overview of the Ability Profiler• How to Administer the Ability Profiler• How to Interpret the Ability Profiler Results• O*NET for the Older Worker• O*NET for the Military Member in Transition• O*NET for Job Seekers• O*NET for Career Development Professionals and

School Counselors• Linking Education, Occupations, and Pay

Opportunities for O*NET UsersOpportunities for O*NET Users

• “Spotlight” on onetacademy.com

• Podcasts on how you use O*NET