A skill set refers to the various types of abilities and knowledge that allows someone to successfully perform a job or accomplish specific tasks. A person’s skill set may include specific technical skills as well as a variety of general types of skills.

Skills classifications systems identify the combination of skills needed to successfully perform a job or accomplish specific tasks. There are many types of skills classification systems. Most include some variation of skills that are classified as:

• Job-specific:  skills needed to complete certain tasks within a position.
• Soft skills:  the behaviors and abilities that allow someone to work successfully with others such as the ability to communicate with others, resolve problems, and share ideas in the workplace.
• Hard skills:  the technical knowledge and abilities needed to perform specific tasks.

An example is the Australian Skills Classification, led by Jobs & Skills Australia. The Classification explores connections between skills and jobs and is intended to be a “common language” for core skills. The Classification identifies three categories of skills for Australian occupations: (1) 10 core competencies common to all jobs to varying degrees of proficiency; (2) specialist tasks that describe the day-to-day work within an occupation; (3) technology tools – software and hardware that are used in an occupation. The Classification groups similar skills into skills clusters. This enables the Classification to be explored by similar skills as well as occupations.