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Dancers

OaSIS code 53120.01

Dancers perform as soloists, with partners and with other dancers as members of dance groups and companies.

Overview

Also known as

  • Ballet dancer
  • Dancer
  • Group dancer
  • Interpretative dancer

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Practise and rehearse dance routines under direction or instruction to achieve desired interpretation and presentation
  • Perform dances as soloists or as members of groups before live audiences or for film or television
  • Train and exercise to maintain the required levels of ability and fitness
  • May choreograph their own performances.

Additional information

  • Dancers may specialize in specific types of dance such as ballet, ballroom, folk, jazz or modern.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

53 – Occupations in art, culture and sport

Sub-major group

531 – Occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5312 – Occupations in creative and performing art

Unit group

53120 – Dancers

Occupational profile

53120.01 – Dancers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
5 - Highest Level
Performing General Physical Activities
5 - Highest Level
Team Building
3 - Moderate Level
Thinking Creatively
3 - Moderate Level
Assisting and Caring for Others
2 - Low Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
1 - Less than 35 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
5 - Physically touching or very close

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Ballet and dance companies
  • Nightclubs and similar establishments
  • Television and film production companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Body Flexibility
5 - Highest Level
Dynamic Strength
5 - Highest Level
Explosive Strength
5 - Highest Level
Gross Body Coordination
5 - Highest Level
Gross Body Equilibrium
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Social Perceptiveness
3 - Moderate Level
Instructing
2 - Low Level
Learning and Teaching Strategies
2 - Low Level
Monitoring
2 - Low Level
Negotiating
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important
Innovativeness
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: AR

Artistic (A)

Artistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail artistic expression to create, compose or produce visual, performing, literary or applied art. These occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns and often require self-expression and the accomplishment of work without following a clear set of rules.

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • A university degree or college diploma in dance or Graduation from a private dance school or academy may be required.
  • Talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
  • Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Arts
3 - Advanced Level
Client Service
1 - Basic Level
Humanities
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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