Core Skilled Worker
The role of Skilled Worker is characterised by craftsmanship. Employees at this level are qualified masters of a trade where expertise and training are required. They can apply their knowledge to the particular circumstances that arise at a given moment. A painter, for example, will take account of the weather; a bus driver, how long his/her round has to take; and a home help, what the client needs.
Skilled Workers can’t just be substituted by any other colleague; you can see by the result who was responsible for it. That is characteristic of the professionalism of Skilled Workers: their mastery of their trade. One Skilled Worker might be more meticulous and careful than the other; another might show more of a sense of responsibility. Skilled Workers can also work in different places, because they know how to do several different tasks well. They can be relied on to do things like checks and some administration.
However good their workmanship is, however, Skilled Workers have their limitations. They don’t like to have to improvise, for example. They prefer to work to a precise set of rules and instructions, so that they know exactly what is expected from them.
Skilled Workers’ work demands commitment to the company, meticulousness in order to spot defects and care in respect of tools, machinery and other equipment.
Mastery
Instructions that are often specific to the particular trade have to be followed. Expertise and an accompanying qualification are required. Knowledge, experience and a sense of responsibility are also required, which means that the employee cannot simply be replaced by temporary staff. Training is also needed from time to time to keep up to date in the trade.
Autonomy
The work involves tasks and activities that are governed by rules (sequence, amount, speed, place and time, etc.) and which demand an established approach. Concentration and precision are extremely important.
Impact
Interaction with clients and colleagues is required, which means that the employee is expected to show a professional approach and a positive attitude. This also includes their appearance and behaviour.
Ownership
The employee is responsible for producing things, operating and maintaining equipment and making use of the aids, machines, devices and/or tools to do so, as well as assistance from other people or even animals. The employee has to check their own work or that of others so that the final result satisfies the rules that apply to it.
Master Skilled WorkerThe Master Skilled Worker is at the end of the pathway for this role. It means that his or her expertise and abilities stand out far above those of the Core Skilled Worker.
The Master Skilled Worker is someone who works on the shopfloor but who has supervisory responsibilities (foreperson) and who also solves unexpected problems. He or she may also be a specialist employee who does work for which the skills of an All-Rounder are necessary, such as making assessments based on simple procedures and rules.
Master Skilled Workers are able to set priorities, are flexible and anticipate changing circumstances (improvisation) and can instruct, supervise and check others, correcting the execution of work where necessary.
Mastery
A trade-specific, pre-vocational, technical education [VMBO or voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs] is minimal required for this work and a practical and intellectual ability at the level of senior secondary vocational education (MBO). The position requires above-average expertise or specialisation in the trade. He/she must have a complete overview of the work and that of their colleagues in the team.
Autonomy
The work largely consists of carrying out non-managerial/non-administrative tasks, supplemented by specialist work for which understanding systems is required. The position demands the assessment of different and unexpected situations, so that any approach can be adjusted accordingly.
Impact
The work demands the instruction, supervision and training of colleagues in a team of Skilled Workers or other employees from other departments or companies. The Master Skilled Worker also has to undertake organisational/administrative tasks in order to co-ordinate the work with that of other departments.
Ownership
An exceptional sense of responsibility is required for the work given that the position has to ensure a practical, operational production process. The employee is expected to deal with new, unexpected circumstances and to make the necessary choices, which may also affect others. The employee also has an important advisory role in organising work more efficiently (business development).