Transferable Skills Analysis
Transferable skills analysis (TSA) is a vocational methodology that identifies occupations a person could perform based on skills developed in past work, applied to current medical and functional restrictions and labor market conditions.
When it is used
TSA is used in earning capacity analysis, return-to-work planning, employability opinions in LTD matters, and post-injury vocational evaluation.
Step-by-step
- Document the individual's complete work history with DOT or O*NET job codes and SVP (specific vocational preparation) levels
- Identify skills, work fields, and Materials-Products-Subject Matter-Services (MPSMS) codes from prior occupations
- Apply current medical restrictions and functional capacity data
- Search DOT/O*NET for occupations matching retained skills within tolerated physical and cognitive demands
- Filter results for labor market viability in the relevant geographic area using BLS OEWS (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics) wage and employment data
- Produce a list of occupations with SOC codes, wage data, and transferability logic
Data sources
- Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
- O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system
- Skills inventories from published vocational references
Limitations
TSA reflects theoretical transferability at a moment in time. It does not guarantee placement; job availability, hiring practices, and regional demand still apply. Older DOT data has known age-of-information limitations that practitioners address by cross-referencing with O*NET.
Admissibility
TSA is a widely used vocational methodology in federal and state courts when properly documented and sourced (Truthan & Karman, 2003).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DOT data still valid given its age?
The DOT's physical demands and SVP ratings remain widely used, with O*NET data applied for updated occupational information. Best practice is to cross-reference both systems.
How does a TSA differ from a labor market survey?
TSA identifies occupations for which the person's skills transfer. A labor market survey tests whether those occupations exist in hireable form within the relevant labor market.
What is an SVP level?
SVP (specific vocational preparation) is a DOT-based measure of the time required to learn a job (U.S. Department of Labor, 1991), ranging from 1 (short demonstration) to 9 (over 10 years). SVP influences transferability between occupations.
References
- National Center for O*NET Development. (n.d.). O*NET OnLine. U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. onetonline.orgGovernment
- Skill requirements, Social Security Administration disability regulations, Code of Federal Regulations (2024). ecfr.govCase Law
- Truthan, J. A., & Karman, S. E. (2003). Transferable skills analysis and vocational information in a time of transition. Journal of Forensic Vocational Analysis, 6(1), 17-25. skilltran.comPeer-Reviewed
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). U.S. Department of Labor. bls.govGovernment
- U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (1991). Dictionary of occupational titles (4th ed., rev.). U.S. Government Printing Office. dol.govGovernment
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