Skills and competencies included in the OaSIS

The Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT) forms the competency framework of the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS). Developed by Employment and Social Development Canada, the SCT was created to address discrepancies in terminology used across different data sources in the Canadian labour market, thereby providing a common competency dictionary.

The descriptors in the SCT are organized into seven categories:

Individual characteristics and requirements
- Skills
- Abilities
- Personal attributes
- Knowledge
- Interests
Work environment
- Work activities
- Work context

The SCT is regularly reviewed and new versions are released periodically. You can view the different versions of the SCT by visiting the Versions of the SCT page.

In the SCT 2023 Version 1.0, there are approximately 300 competency descriptors. For the OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0, over 240 descriptors were selected to be used in the occupations. These were chosen based on:

Their relevance to occupational descriptions
The feasibility of measurement

The remaining descriptors will be assessed for inclusion in future versions of the OaSIS. For additional information on the SCT, please navigate through the following structure.

Descriptors - Skills and Competencies Taxonomy 2025 Version 1.0

Descriptor	Category	Sub-category	Alternative titles
Information Ordering	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Categorization Flexibility	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Deductive Reasoning	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Inductive Reasoning	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Fluency of Ideas	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Problem Identification	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities	Problem Sensitivity
Numerical Ability	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Mathematical Reasoning	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Memorizing	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities	Significant Use of Memory
Multitasking	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities	Time Sharing
Pattern Identification	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Pattern Organization Speed	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities	Speed of Closure
Perceptual Speed	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Spatial Orientation	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Spatial Visualization	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities	Spatial Perception Visualization
Verbal Ability	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Written Comprehension	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Written Expression	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Selective Attention	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Form Perception	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
General Learning Ability	Abilities	Cognitive Abilities
Trunk Strength	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Static Strength	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Dynamic Strength	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Explosive Strength	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Multi-Limb Coordination	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Gross Body Coordination	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Gross Body Equilibrium	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Body Flexibility	Abilities	Physical Abilities	Extent Flexibility
Stamina	Abilities	Physical Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities	Arm-hand stability Stabilize motions Steady motion
Finger Dexterity	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities
Manual Dexterity	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities
Hand-Eye Coordination	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities	Hand-eye coordination
Rate Control	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities	Pace control
Control of Settings	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities	Control accuracy Control Precision Instrument calibration
Multi-Signal Response	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities	Signal response
Reaction Time	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities
Speed of Limb Movement	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities
Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion	Abilities	Psychomotor Abilities	Wrist-finger gesture Wrist-Finger Speed
Auditory Attention	Abilities	Sensory Abilities	Effective listening Sound attention Sound perception
Hearing Sensitivity	Abilities	Sensory Abilities	Sound sensitivity
Speech Clarity	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Speech Recognition	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Sound Localization	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Far Vision	Abilities	Sensory Abilities	Distance vision
Near Vision	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Peripheral Vision	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Depth Perception	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Glare Tolerance	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Night Vision	Abilities	Sensory Abilities
Colour Perception	Abilities	Sensory Abilities	Visual Colour Discrimination
Leadership	Personal Attributes	Social Traits
Concern for Others	Personal Attributes	Social Traits
Collaboration	Personal Attributes	Social Traits	Collaborative Cooperation
Service Orientation	Personal Attributes	Social Traits
Social Orientation	Personal Attributes	Social Traits
Adaptability	Personal Attributes	Self-Improvement
Stress Tolerance	Personal Attributes	Self-Improvement
Active Learning	Personal Attributes	Self-Improvement	Intellectual curiosity Lifelong learning
Independence	Personal Attributes	Results-Based Attributes
Analytical Thinking	Personal Attributes	Dynamic Thinking
Attention to Detail	Personal Attributes	Dynamic Thinking
Creativity	Personal Attributes	Dynamic Thinking
Innovativeness	Personal Attributes	Dynamic Thinking	Innovation
Realistic	Interests	Holland Codes
Investigative	Interests	Holland Codes
Artistic	Interests	Holland Codes
Social	Interests	Holland Codes
Enterprising	Interests	Holland Codes
Conventional	Interests	Holland Codes
Oral Communication: Active Listening	Skills	Foundational Skills
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension	Skills	Foundational Skills
Oral Communication: Oral Expression	Skills	Foundational Skills	Speaking
Reading Comprehension	Skills	Foundational Skills	Literacy
Writing	Skills	Foundational Skills
Numeracy	Skills	Foundational Skills	Mathematic Mathematics
Digital Literacy	Skills	Foundational Skills	Digital acumen Digital capabilities Digital capacity Digital citizenship Digital competencies Digital proficiency Digital skills Digitally fluent
Critical Thinking	Skills	Analytical Skills	Critical mindset
Learning and Teaching Strategies	Skills	Analytical Skills	Learning Strategies
Decision Making	Skills	Analytical Skills
Evaluation	Skills	Analytical Skills
Systems Analysis	Skills	Analytical Skills
Problem Solving	Skills	Analytical Skills	Problem solving process Problem-solving
Equipment and Tool Selection	Skills	Technical Skills	Equipment Selection
Preventative Maintenance	Skills	Technical Skills	Entretien d’équipement Equipment Maintenance
Setting Up	Skills	Technical Skills
Operation and Control	Skills	Technical Skills
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment	Skills	Technical Skills	Operation Monitoring
Troubleshooting	Skills	Technical Skills
Repairing	Skills	Technical Skills
Quality Control Testing	Skills	Technical Skills	Quality Control Analysis
Product Design	Skills	Technical Skills	Technology Design
Digital Systems Production	Skills	Technical Skills
Management of Financial Resources	Skills	Resource Management Skills
Management of Material Resources	Skills	Resource Management Skills
Management of Personnel Resources	Skills	Resource Management Skills
Time Management	Skills	Resource Management Skills
Monitoring	Skills	Resource Management Skills
Coordinating	Skills	Interpersonal Skills
Instructing	Skills	Interpersonal Skills
Negotiating	Skills	Interpersonal Skills
Persuading	Skills	Interpersonal Skills
Social Perceptiveness	Skills	Interpersonal Skills
Accounting	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Business Management	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Clerical	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Finance	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Human Resources and Labour Relations	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Sales and Marketing	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Client Service	Knowledge	Administration and Management
Communications and Media	Knowledge	Communication
Teaching	Knowledge	Education
Training, Mentoring and Coaching	Knowledge	Education
Hospitality	Knowledge	Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health	Knowledge	Health and Wellbeing
Physical Health	Knowledge	Health and Wellbeing
Recreation, Leisure and Fitness	Knowledge	Health and Wellbeing
Veterinarian and Animal Care	Knowledge	Health and Wellbeing
Law	Knowledge	Law, Government and Safety
Public Affairs and Government Relations	Knowledge	Law, Government and Safety
Public Safety and Security	Knowledge	Law, Government and Safety
Manufacturing, Processing and Production	Knowledge	Logistics, Design and Evaluation
Logistics	Knowledge	Logistics, Design and Evaluation
Performance Measurement	Knowledge	Logistics, Design and Evaluation
Technical Design	Knowledge	Logistics, Design and Evaluation
Agronomy and Horticulture	Knowledge	Natural Resources
Forestry	Knowledge	Natural Resources
Geological Resources	Knowledge	Natural Resources
Livestock, Farm Animals and Wildlife	Knowledge	Natural Resources
Water Resources	Knowledge	Natural Resources
Biology	Knowledge	Physical Sciences
Chemistry	Knowledge	Physical Sciences
Geoscience	Knowledge	Physical Sciences
Physics	Knowledge	Physical Sciences
Arts	Knowledge	Socioeconomic Systems
Economics	Knowledge	Socioeconomic Systems
Humanities	Knowledge	Socioeconomic Systems
Library, Conservation and Heritage	Knowledge	Socioeconomic Systems
Theology and Philosophy	Knowledge	Socioeconomic Systems
Building and Construction	Knowledge	Technology, Electrical, Material and Mechanical
Computer, Technology and Information Systems	Knowledge	Technology, Electrical, Material and Mechanical
Electrical and Electronics	Knowledge	Technology, Electrical, Material and Mechanical
Mechanics and Machinery	Knowledge	Technology, Electrical, Material and Mechanical
Telecommunications	Knowledge	Technology, Electrical, Material and Mechanical
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operation	Knowledge	Technology, Electrical, Material and Mechanical
Languages	Knowledge	Foundational Knowledge
Mathematics	Knowledge	Foundational Knowledge	Mathematics and Statistics
Consequence of Error	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Freedom to Make Decisions	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Frequency of Decision Making	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Impact of Decisions	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Automation	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Precision	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Structured versus Unstructured Work	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Tasks Repetition	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Time Pressure	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Type of Work Schedules	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Work Week Duration	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Competition	Work Context	Structural Job Characteristics
Hazardous Conditions	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Hazardous Equipment, Machinery, Tools	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
High Places	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Radiation	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Skin Injury	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Outside, Exposed to Weather	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Outside, Under Cover	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Physical Proximity	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Biological Agents	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Dangerous Chemical Substances	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Vibration	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Sound and Noise	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Extreme Temperatures	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Specialized Safety Equipment	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Standard Safety Equipment	Work Context	Physical Work Environment
Bending or Twisting the Body	Work Context	Physical Demands
Climbing	Work Context	Physical Demands
Handling Material Manually	Work Context	Physical Demands
Keeping or Regaining Balance	Work Context	Physical Demands
Making Repetitive Motions	Work Context	Physical Demands
Sitting	Work Context	Physical Demands
Standing	Work Context	Physical Demands
Walking and Running	Work Context	Physical Demands
Conflict Situations	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Contact with Others	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Coordinating or Leading Others	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Deal With External Customers	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Work with Group or Team	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Deal with Physically Aggressive People	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Dealing With Unpleasant or Angry People	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Electronic Mail	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Face-to-Face Discussions	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Written Communications	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations	Letters and Memos
Public Speaking	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Telephone	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results of Other Workers	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Responsibility for Health and Safety of Others	Work Context	Interpersonal Relations
Getting Information	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Monitoring Processes, Materials or Systems	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Analyzing Data or Information	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Developing Technical Instructions	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Documenting and Recording Information	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Identifying Objects, Actions and Events	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Estimating Quantifiable Characteristics	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Inspecting Equipment, Structures or Material	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Processing Information	Work Activities	Information-Oriented Activities
Handling and Manipulating Objects	Work Activities	Physically-Oriented Activities
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices or Equipment	Work Activities	Physically-Oriented Activities
Controlling Machines and Processes	Work Activities	Physically-Oriented Activities
Performing Physical Activities	Work Activities	Physically-Oriented Activities
Electronic Maintenance	Work Activities	Physically-Oriented Activities
Mechanical Maintenance	Work Activities	Physically-Oriented Activities
Judging Quality	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Evaluating	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Making Decisions	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Thinking Creatively	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Setting Objectives and Formulating Strategies	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Updating and Applying Knowledge	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Managing Resources	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Planning and Organizing	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Scheduling Work and Activities	Work Activities	Mental Process-Oriented Activities
Communicating with Coworkers	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Selling or Influencing Others	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Assisting and Caring for Others	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Coaching and Developing Others	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Providing Consultation and Advice	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Supervising Subordinates	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Team Building	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Training and Teaching	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities
Staffing	Work Activities	People-Oriented Activities

Skills and competencies included in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS)

Descriptors - Skills and Competencies Taxonomy 2025 Version 1.0