Unskilled, Semi-Skilled and Skilled Work – What Do These Terms Mean?
Unskilled work – Unskilled occupations are the least complex types of work. Jobs are unskilled when persons can usually learn to do them in 30 days or less.
Examples of unskilled jobs are:
- clerk/typist
- surveillance system monitor
- hand packer
- circuit board assembler
- restaurant dishwasher
Semi-skilled work – Semiskilled occupations are more complex than unskilled work and distinctly simpler than the more highly skilled types of jobs. They contain more variables and require more judgment than do unskilled occupations. Even though semiskilled occupations require more than 30 days to learn, the content of work activities in some semiskilled jobs may be little more than unskilled. Therefore, close attention must be paid to the actual complexities of the job in dealing with data, people, or objects and to the judgments required to do the work.
Examples of semi-skilled jobs are:
- chauffer
- room service waiter
- carpenter
- nurse’s aide
- administrative assistant
Skilled work – Skilled occupations are more complex and varied than unskilled and semiskilled occupations. They require more training time and often a higher educational attainment. Abstract thinking in specialized fields may be required.
Examples of skilled jobs are
- chemists
- architechts
- school band directors
- physicians
- attorneys
- CEO of a business
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Unskilled workers are workers that are replaceable. There is always someone that can do their job. Skilled workers can be irreplaceable. If you lose someone, that operation the person was handling might collapse.
Do i have to bring my own Translator to the hearing or will Social Security provide me with one?
What would a Certified Crane Operator classification be considered as ?
Unskilled ? Semi-skilled ? Skilled ?
Note : For informational purposes only, A certified crane operator has to have 2000 hours of training on a crane, they must test both written and hands on tests and pass both with a score of atleast 80. A certified crane operator is licensed through the Department of Labor.
Question 2 : Would a certified crane operator who has performed crane operator work for the past 10 years…..Would that crane operator be eligible to receive SSDI after finding out that he/she is battling Panic attacks, Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar, PTSD as well as other physical health problems ? ( I really find it difficult to believe that someone or anyone for that matter would want to work with a mentally challenged crane operator )
Question 3 : If, and only if, that crane operator offered proof of having 3 pages of work history over the course of 8 years, none lasting over 3-4 months, would his/her work history be consistent with NOT being able to hold a job because of Mental or Physical impairments that limited their function on a job ?
* Allow me to illustrate :
Crane operator gets terminated due to medical problems.
Crane operator then gets fired for arguing with superintendant.
Crane operator gets told to get the H*LL off the jobsite.
Crane Operator gets laid off for attitude.
Crane Operator gets laid off due to getting hurt on the job.
Crane operator gets laid off for filing a workers compensation claim.
Crane operator quits because of medical condition.
Crane operator gets laid off due to unfit to perform job functions.
Before that :
Unskilled laborer gets forced out the door after missing 150+ days at work due to medical reasons.
Unskilled labor loses job because he can’t stay on the job 16 hours a day.
Unskilled labor loses job due to getting a drink of water on a job.
Additional Information :
Argument on job led to wrongful termination lawsuit. Settled
Argument on job led to wrongful termination lawsuit. Settled
Lost job due to getting injured on job, wrongful termination lawsuit : Settled.
Lost job due to getting injured on job, wrongful termination lawsuit :
Company declared bankruptcy.
I work for a Communications Regulator in SA as a Programme Relations Officer, International Affairs unit and I hold a BA with Education degree. When my Line Manager is out of the country on business, I act on her behalf.
Can I be rated as semi-skilled or skilled staff member and why?
which area does a nurse belong?
A nurse would be considered a skilled occupation – see http://ow.ly/1N0a1 for the DOT “general nurse” classification. The DOT also describes other related jobs, such as a “child monitor” or “nurse assistant” that are semi-skilled. The DOT allows a vocational expert to classify based on the type of work actually performed. Sometimes, as an attorney, I can predict how a VE would answer, and sometimes I cannot.
I worked as a Dog Groomer for 18 years and I have been diagnosed with MS. What category would a Dog Groomer be?
I am not a vocational expert, but based on a quick look at the DOT, a dog groomer would appear to be medium, semi-skilled – see http://bit.ly/ciApvT
Which area does a computer operator belong?
Eunice, the DOT identifies several types of computer operators. Here is an example: http://www.occupationalinfo.org/21/213362010.html. This particular job appears to be characterized as a “light” exertional level job that is skilled (SVP 6). You can look at the occupationalinfo.org site and search the various computer operator jobs to find one that most reflects what you have done.
how about highly skilled workers? (definition and examples)
@Unskilled workers: are you on drugs or just another stupid skilled labor
Can i get come more examples of the different types of labour?
What are the basis of such classification?
Does experience matter in such a case?
Can professionals be unskilled?
Kindly help.
I can’t believe you have classified typists as unskilled, but waiters and chauffers are classified as semi-skilled. What are you smoking? Almost every adult knows how to drive, so it’s not much of a stretch to doing it professionally. Anyone that’s eaten out a few times knows the basics of waiting tables and can get professional with about 30min of training. On the other hand, even though young school children now use computers daily, typing at 100+ wpm isn’t something you just fall into. Get it together.
Mike, the classifications come from a government publication called the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (the D.O.T.). Many of the job classifications in the D.O.T. have not been updated for 20 years.
Who do we write to to change that? I ‘m an administrative assistant and I object to the assumption that my job never requires abstract thought.@jginsberg:
AA, the job descriptions that Social Security uses come from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, which is a government publication last updated in the 1970′s.
Many of the job classifications in the D.O.T. have not been updated for 20 years ??? Shame !!! Whoever’s fault is it .., get it right.
I agree completely.
can a jobless man be grouped as an unskilled worker?
Yes, your designation as a skilled worker arises from work you have done in the past. So and unemployed graphic designer, for example, would be considered a skilled worker even if currently unemployed.