| The Model: |
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| The skills and abilities required for occupations vary significantly from one occupation to the next because of differences in their job duties. The most widely used definition of skills is based on Sidney Fine's research work performed to support the development of the U.S. Department of Labor's "Dictionary of Occupational Titles. According to Fine, a skill is defined as the ability to perform an activity proficiently. The skill can be acquired through education, through work experience and job training, or it can be the result of an ability that you have had for years. Simply stated, skills can be learned, or they can be the result of natural abilities and talents, or having a special "know how" of "knack" for doing certain tasks. |
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| With Fine's definition of skills in mind, the U.S.
Department of Labor's O*NET National Development Center developed
a set of skills that is used to differentiate the skills requirements
of occupations in the USA. The skills are divided into categories.
FOCUS uses the same skills model as used by the U.S. Department of
Labor's O*NET Online system. |
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| The Inventory |
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| Skills are organized into the categories developed
by the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET system as follows: |
| 1. |
Basic Skills such as mathematical computation,
speaking, writing, and information handling. |
| 2. |
Social Skills such as teaching, counseling,
coaching, instructing, and persuasion. |
| 3. |
Complex Problem Solving Skills such as diagnosing
problem causes, decision-making and innovation. |
| 4. |
Technical Skills such as technical design,
using, installing and repairing equipment. |
| 5. |
Systems Skills such as computer literacy. |
| 6. |
Resource Management Skills such as financial
and money management, leading and coordinating the activities
of others, goal setting, and time management, etc. |
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| Users create a profile of their skills, and then
search for, and analyze occupations that match the users' skills profile.
The FOCUS system user can further refine the list of matching occupations
based on his/her desired level of education. |
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| Quick Facts: |
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| Age Range |
14 and above |
| Reading Level |
6th Grade |
| Completion Time |
5-8 minutes plus 3-5 minutes per occupation |
| Reports |
client and counselor |
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Skills
Assessment