The MPSA has in December 2023 approved the new Public Service Occupational Classification System (OCS): Occupational Dictionary 2024.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 31, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) will officially launch the new Public Service Occupational Classification System: Occupational Dictionary 2024 on a virtual platform.

The Occupational Dictionary is issued through a Determination in terms of section 3 (2) of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation 103 of 1994) and Regulation 39 (3) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016.  The Regulations stipulate that the MPSA shall determine a system of remuneration and an occupational classification system (OCS). Departments are then required in terms of regulation 39 (4) to link all posts as contained in a remuneration system to an occupation listed in the occupational classification system. This information is used for various human resource practices and decision-making purposes.

The Determination applies to all national and provincial departments and government components. All posts in the departments must be linked to an occupation listed in the Occupational Classification System (OCS).

The implementation of the revised classification does not in any way affect the grading of posts and shall not result in any changes to the salaries of employees. Only the occupational classification codes on systems such as PERSAL will be replaced by the new classification codes in the dictionary.

The purpose of the occupational classification system is to:

  • Standardise and establish a common language for classifying, naming and defining occupations.
  • Provide an occupational classification that can be used as the basis for the classification of jobs when developing job descriptions and job titles (similar or a group of jobs can be categorised into an occupation).
  • Assist with more detailed human resource planning; skills planning and reporting; and individual career planning that is more occupation-specific.
  • Provide consistency and a common language to reflect and address skills needs and report on training interventions’ impact.

The Determination repeals the Occupational Classification System issued in 1999, as well as the components of the Code of Remuneration (CORE) that reflect the associated elements of the OCS.

The Determination takes effect on 01 February 2024 and the withdrawal of the old OCS takes effect on 30 April 2024.

From 01 February 2024, all appointments must be made against the new codes. Departments may request PERSAL to effect a bulk electronic translation of employees appointed before 01 February 2024. The completed translation table for all employees must have been submitted to PERSAL for implementation by 31 March 2024.

The translation process from the 1999 OCS to the 2024 OCS must be completed by 30 April 2024 and once implemented the old OCS codes will become inactive.

The Occupational Dictionary will be updated every 2 years should the need arise.

Departments may submit requests for updates to the DPSA using the email: hrp@dpsa.gov.za, which will be considered during the review.