Types of Occupation – JSS1 Business Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

An occupation is any legal activity that people engage in to earn their daily living. Occupations are classified into six groups: extractive, manufacturing, constructive, commercial, direct services and indirect services. Extractive workers bring raw materials from the sea and soil, manufacturers change their form, and constructors assemble components.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define occupation;
• list the six classes of occupation;
• explain extractive, manufacturing and constructive occupations;
• explain commercial, direct services and indirect services occupations;
• give examples of each class of occupation.

What is an occupation?

Occupation refers to the legal activities that people engage in to earn their daily living. It can also be defined as the activities in which people engage themselves to earn a living.

How are occupations classified?

Occupations are divided into the following groups.

1. Extractive occupation

This occupation involves people whose activities are directed to bringing natural resources from the sea and soil. Examples of those in this occupation are farmers, fishermen, hunters, etc. They produce raw materials.

2. Manufacturing occupation

Those involved in this occupation change the form of the raw materials extracted by workers in extractive occupation. Examples of workers in this occupation are cloth weavers, motor manufacturers, etc.

3. Constructive occupation

Workers in this occupation assemble different components extracted and manufactured by workers in the extractive and manufacturing occupations. Examples are road construction and bridge construction.

4. Commercial occupation

This involves the activities of those who work in different groups as a team to make the production of goods and services possible. They also work to make goods and services available to those who need them. Examples of commercial occupations are banking, transportation, warehousing, etc.

5. Direct services occupation

These include those whose daily activities involve giving satisfaction, amusement, enjoyment and personal services to others. Examples of those in this occupation are actors, dancers, doctors, barbers, etc.

6. Indirect services occupation

These are those who earn their living by rendering one type of service or another to members of the public. Examples are police, soldiers, etc.

Evaluation

1. Write a short note on extractive and manufacturing occupation.
2. Give 4 examples of constructive occupation.
3. What is an occupation?
4. List five types of occupation.

Assignment

Reading assignment

Business Studies for JSS 1 by O.A. Lawal and others, pages 7 to 8.

Weekend assignment

1. Examples of commercial occupation are (a) banking (b) insurance (c) warehousing (d) farming.
2. Which of the following statements is not true of extractive occupation? (a) It involves the production of raw materials. (b) It is also called primary production. (c) Examples are farming, hunting and fishing. (d) A banker is in an extractive occupation.
3. The following are branches of occupation except (a) mining (b) hunting (c) dancing (d) banking.
4. A singer is in (a) extractive occupation (b) manufacturing occupation (c) constructive occupation (d) direct services occupation.
5. Which of the following is not in the group? (a) transportation (b) banking (c) warehousing (d) fishing.

Theory

1. List 6 classes of occupation.
2. Explain one of the branches of occupation listed in question one.