Relations

The concepts in the Taxonomy database may be related to each other in a number of ways. The different types of relations are in part based on this SKOS standard

The relations can be either vertical (describing a hierarchy) or horizontal.

Narrower

This relation is vertical and is used to express when one concept is on a lower level than another in a hierarchy. For example: the occupation “Beläggningsarbetare” is narrower than the occupation group “Anläggningsarbetare”.

Broader

This relation is vertical and is used to express when one concept is on a higher level than another in a hierarchy. For example: the occupation group “Anläggningsarbetare” is broader than the occupation “Beläggningsarbetare”.

Substitutability

This relation is horizontal and describes the closeness of two occupations. The relation can be expressed as both high (75) and low (25) substitutability between occupations. For example: the occupation “Beläggningsarbetare” has a high substitutability with the occupation “Väg- och anläggningsarbetare”. In the API the objects in the substitutability relations are expressed as a source occupation and a target occupation. In the example above the occupation “Beläggningsarbetare” would be the source.

The two levels can be described as following:

  • High (or 75%): very closely related with a high level of similarity in tasks
  • Low (or 25%): some tasks are similar and/or some education or training might be needed to traverse the gap

The substitutability relation may be asymmetrical, meaning that a high substitutability from one occupation to another does not necessarily mean that the reverse is true. For instance in the example above, the reversed substitutability (from Väg- och underhållningsarbetare to Beläggningsarbetare) is in fact low.

The substitutability relations are created and recommended for employers looking for candidates. If they cannot find exactly what they are looking for, they get suggestions that may work out for them instead. For example: an employer is looking for a candidate for “Förskollärare” but cannot find one. Instead they get suggestions for “Barnskötare” through the substitutability relation. In this case the substitutability from “Förskollärare” to “Barnskötare” is low.