An O*NET Academy Briefing
Staying Current: A Behind
the Scenes Look at the
O*NET Data Collection
Process
Dr. Janet E. Wall
Senior Trainer, O*NET Academy
Objectives
• 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 Model
Worker Characteristics
Worker Requirements
Experience Requirements
Occupation Requirements
Workforce Characteristics
Occupation-Specific Information
Each Can Be Expanded
Basic Skills Expanded
Cross-Functional Example
Cross Functional Skills Expanded
How 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 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 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 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 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 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
Questionnaire - Instructions
41 Actual Item Pairs
Item 2
Item 3
Skills Questionnaire – 35 Items
Item 2
Item 3
Knowledge Questionnaire
Item 2
Item 3
Work Context and Work Style
Questionnaire – 54 Items
Work Context (con’t)
Other Items on Work Context
Questionnaire
Work Style Items
For Tasks – Tailored to Occupation
Every employee in the sample
completes the task questionnaire.
Tasks Questionnaire
More
Another Occupation
Example Tasks
More
Employees can add tasks.
Update Schedule
T2 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 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 Information
http://www.onetcenter.org
Sign Up for Updates
Conclusion
•
•
•
•
•
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??
Other 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 Users
• “Spotlight” on onetacademy.com
• Podcasts on how you use O*NET