J.+O*NET+Online

An outstanding example of a national OIS/LMI (Occupational Information System/Labor Market Information) is our US O*NET Online system. This national labor-market information system was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Commerce.

The U.S. occupational information system was originally presented in print form in the phone-book system publication called the //Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT).// This very large book contained a listing of available occupations, along with their official titles, identification codes, job descriptions, education/training requirements, working conditions and requirements, wages, and other relevant labor-market trend information. The DOT was bulky, expensive, and required annual purchase to maintain current information.

The first step to modernizing the DOT was the development of a computerized OIS that ran on standard desktop computers. This OIS system required purchase of software plus training in its use. Dr. Floyd Ausburn was instrumental in the development of the training system for this OIS. He worked with the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech on a major national contract project to create the training manual and system that was used throughout the U.S. to implement the computer-based OIS in all 50 states.

Today, the U.S. OIS has evolved into an extensive online occupational and labor market information system that is an outstanding public information resource for learning about occupations, jobs, and labor market data and trends. This system is called O*NET. It is maintained by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Commerce. It is an outstanding example of a national OIS/LMI system, is readily available online, and can serve as an example of the nature and benefits of a national information system for career/jobs planning and training.

You will find the U.S. O*NET resource online at the link listed below. Please spend some time browsing O*NET Online. See what is there and think about how you could use this expensive resource as a teaching resource in career training in your own filed AND as an international consultant in technical training development. Be prepared to discuss in class: 1. What is O*NET and what does it contain? 2. Why is a system such as O*NET a valuable national resource for planning, development, and productivity in a national or regional technical training system? 3. Why is a system such as O*NET a valuable resource for technical training institutions and instructors? 4. What needs in countries might encourage or support the development of a national OIS/LMI system such as O*NET? 5. What factors in some countries might discourage the development and distribution of a national system such as O*NET?

Click on this link to go to O*NET Online: [|U.S. O*NET Online]