TS 12606

TS 12606 is a vocational classification standard focused on the definitions, codes and classification structure used for craft and related trades workers. Standards of this kind help different organizations describe the same occupational group in a consistent way, which is important when records, statistics and training systems need a common terminology.

How the occupational groups are organised

The stated scope covers the grouping, coding and definition of craft and related trades workers. In general technical terms, that means the standard is concerned with where a job belongs in an occupational hierarchy, how it is identified by code, and how its definition should be read within that hierarchy. This supports consistent use across labour-market databases, administrative records, human resources systems and related classification work.

Why definitions and codes matter

For hands-on trades, classification is especially useful because closely related occupations can differ in skill focus, task content or work context. A code does not describe a method of work or a product requirement; it provides a stable reference for sorting and comparing occupations. TS 12606 is linked to ISCO 88, so it follows the general logic of an international occupational classification framework for these workers.

• Provides a grouping framework for craft and related trades workers.
• Sets out an occupational coding structure.
• Supports consistent use of occupational definitions within a classification system.
• Helps align labour and employment records around common terminology.
• Relates to the ISCO 88 occupational classification approach.