Skip to content
Resources Tools About Contact

Official Occupational and Industry Classifications Overview

Official classifications organise occupations and industries into consistent frameworks — this page gives a neutral overview of the main ones and how employers and candidates can use them.

For employers. HRHelperG helps define workforce requirements and connect you with suitable recruitment partners — see how it works, request workers and the business ecosystem. Not a recruitment agency; no placement guarantees.

What this overview covers

This page is a neutral overview of the main official classifications used to describe occupations and industries. It explains how occupational and industry classifications differ and complement each other, so readers can find the right framework.

Occupational classifications such as ISCO group jobs by the tasks involved, while industry classifications such as NACE group businesses by economic activity. Each is maintained by an official body that publishes the authoritative definitions.

What the classifications organise

  • Occupational classifications (such as ISCO) group jobs by tasks and duties.
  • Industry classifications (such as NACE) group businesses by economic activity.
  • Each provides a structured hierarchy from broad to detailed categories.
  • Together they give a common language for occupations and sectors.
  • Each is maintained by an official body that publishes its definitions.

How employers use classifications

  • To describe roles and sectors with recognised, consistent frameworks.
  • To map internal job titles and activities to standard categories.
  • To support clearer workforce planning and reporting.
  • As neutral references when comparing roles or sectors across borders.

How candidates use classifications

  • To understand how an occupation or sector is categorised.
  • To relate a job title to a recognised occupational group.
  • To compare roles and industries using consistent frameworks.
  • As neutral references when interpreting descriptions.

Confirm details with the official sources

Classifications are revised over time and applied differently in different contexts, and this page is a general explanation. Always confirm current structures and definitions with the official sources that maintain each classification.

Official sources to confirm current rules

Requirements change and specifics vary. Confirm the current position with the official authority for this jurisdiction:

Recruitment partners & our business ecosystem

Depending on the project, country, workforce type and availability, HRHelperG may introduce employers to recruitment partners within its business ecosystem. Recruitment services may be delivered by TNT agency s.r.o. or another suitable recruitment partner where appropriate. HRHelperG is not a recruitment agency and does not guarantee placement, hiring outcomes or candidate availability.

Comparing where to live, work or hire?

Related tools from the HELPERG ecosystem that may help with this:

  • Global City Intelligence — Compare cities and countries on affordability, safety, healthcare and quality of life from official data — useful when deciding where to live, work or build a workforce.

Need workers?

Tell us what roles you need to fill. HRHelperG can help define your workforce requirements and connect you with suitable recruitment partners, including partners within our business ecosystem where appropriate. HRHelperG does not guarantee placement, hiring outcomes, or candidate availability.

Free, printable HR & employment resources

Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.

About HRHelperG. HRHelperG is an informational and employer acquisition platform — not a recruitment agency. Recruitment services may be provided by suitable recruitment partners where appropriate, including TNT agency s.r.o. or another partner within our business ecosystem. HRHelperG does not guarantee hiring outcomes, worker availability, or placement success. This page is general information only and is not legal, employment, tax or immigration advice.
Across the platform

Explore the employment knowledge graph

Move between employment law, documents, occupations, hiring guides, career guides and country guides — all one connected graph.

Knowledge graph

Employment knowledge graph

The master map of every employment cluster.

Open
Employment law

Employment law by country

How employment law works, by jurisdiction.

Open
Documents

Employment documents

Contracts, letters and forms, explained.

Open
Occupations

Occupations encyclopedia

Roles, responsibilities, skills and hiring.

Open
Hiring guides

How to hire

Employer guides to hiring each kind of worker.

Open
Career guides

Career guides

Practical, evergreen guidance for candidates.

Open
Country guides

Working in…

How work and hiring function by country.

Open
For employers

For employers

How HRHelperG works for employers.

Open
Request workers

Request workers

Tell us what workers you need.

Open
Ecosystem

Business ecosystem

Recruitment partners, including TNT agency s.r.o.

Open
Candidates

Candidate registration

Register your interest — free, no obligation.

Open
Knowledge graph

HR knowledge graph

The master topical map of the platform.

Open
HR intelligence

HR intelligence center

The master knowledge graph of every cluster.

Open
Job descriptions

Job descriptions by role

Responsibilities, skills and templates.

Open
Interview questions

Interview questions by role

Behavioural and practical questions.

Open
Hiring process

Hiring process by role

The end-to-end hiring workflow per role.

Open
Templates

HR templates

Free, printable, placeholder-based templates.

Open
HR documents

HR documents center

Document guidance and structure.

Open
Country HR

Country HR

How HR works in different countries.

Open
Staffing

Staffing & recruitment agencies

When and how to use external recruiting help.

Open
Employers

Employer services

Request hiring support and partner matching.

Open

Practical HR resources, by email

Templates, hiring insights and workforce updates. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between occupational and industry classifications?

Occupational classifications (such as ISCO) group jobs by the tasks involved, while industry classifications (such as NACE) group businesses by their economic activity. They complement each other.

Why do these classifications matter?

They give a consistent, recognised vocabulary for describing roles and sectors, which supports clearer role definitions, workforce planning and comparison across contexts.

Where can I find official definitions?

From the official bodies that maintain each classification. Always confirm current structures and definitions there before relying on them.

Does HRHelperG maintain any classification?

No. HRHelperG is an independent platform and does not maintain classifications. Confirm current definitions with the official sources.