What is ISTP?
ISTP is the Slovak acronym for Integrated System of Type Positions, a database of information about the world of labour and methods of using the information to facilitate communication on the labour market and make it more efficient.
It is designed to help people find a suitable job by means of:
- maintaining up-to-date databases of occupations and type positions,
- describing aspects and requirements of different jobs in a Registry of Type Positions
- offering tools for vocational counselling and career guidance
- job mediation (placement) instruments,
- referring to other labour markets, education and training information systems,
- matching vocational training with the labour market requirements,
- offering information for companies to make their practices of human resources management more viable,
- giving recommendations for personal growth of personnel and improvement of their skills.
To whom is ISTP meant to serve?
To all labour market participants, in particular:
- employment services,
- people who would like to change their occupation,
- pupils and students,
- employers,
- employees,
- educational and training institutions.
What are the underlying principles of ISTP?
Matching the world of labour with the world of people.
Job requirements are compared with personal qualities and qualifications, using the same criteria. The point of departure is databases of profiles of type positions included in the Registry of Type Positions and personal profiles defined by means of Individual Potential Analysis.
Specific matching criteria are used to compare these data. If there is a certain correspondence between clients’ profiles and type positions, the system will offer you the most suitable occupations.
Recommendations for personal growth of individuals and improvement of their skills are based on identified discrepancies between requirements and prerequisites.
What does the Integrated System of Type Positions contain?
System of Occupations and Type Positions
- update labour world structure, reflecting real distribution of labour, arranged according to the occupation type, complexity and specialization degree
- is constantly updated and complemented with an overview of approx. 1900 type positions.
Type Positions Registry (KTP)
- is a set of information describing the structure, contents and requirements of typical “representatives” of real jobs across all sectors of the Slovak economy
- describes job method aspects (activities, working conditions) and defines requirements to be met by a job practitioner
Contents of the Type Position Profile
Characteristics of Type Position
- identification
- general characteristics
- examples of work activities
Typical job aspects
- examples of working activities
- character of work
- object of work
- working means
- working conditions
Requirements to be met by a job practitioner
- health conditions
- personal qualities
- general and specific vocational skills
Labour market situation
- labour demand and supply
- the price of labour
Individual Potential Analysis (AIP)
- program for collecting information on individuals’ skills, personal qualities, health conditions and personal preferences (special interests, talent, ideas and future job expectations)
- possibility of choosing the analysis of depth and profile detail degree
Ability Analysis – Matching (AS)
- program for comparing individual profiles with type positions
- list of suitable occupations and type positions matched with job seekers’ ability
Career Planning (KP)
- enables to estimate client’s ability to do a certain job
- career planning, the system gives information about the client’s weaknesses and strengths
The first step is to choose a field of work and then some occupation that user would like to test himself in. The client creates his own profile by completing several questionnaires (such as level of education, experience, state of health, working skills, etc.). The system compares the data with occupation requirements and describes differences between client’s abilities and job essentials.
Personal profile of each individual not only shows you integrated view of general education, personal and professional level but also opportunities for further education and information about degrees that are necessary for the occupation.
Catalogue of Occupations (KPM)
- enables an employer to create his own job descriptions, a structure of the organization and a catalogue of jobs.
- data can be exported in printed or electronic form.
The configuration of structure and the register of type positions are easy to create according to the employer’s needs. KTP is used as the main and largest source of information for type positions.
Data structure that was specified in advance can also be used as a free jobs description in advertisement or can be sent to a Job Centre or personnel agency.
Who maintains and updates the Integrated System of Type Positions?
The system administrator is the Headquarters of Labour, Social Affairs and Family. Development, implementation and management of the Integrated System is coordinated by ISTP Managing Team and carried out by expert teams of all the respective government departments as well as research institutions, consulting companies, top employers and trade unions. Many experts participate in on-going labour distribution monitoring and labour analysis.