Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The quarterly data are broken down by economic activity (at section level) in accordance with NACE Rev. 2 - Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community.
2.3. Coverage - sector
All economic activities defined by NACE Rev. 2, except the activities of households as employers and the activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
A 'job vacancy' is defined as a paid post that is newly created, unoccupied, or about to become vacant:
for which the employer is taking active steps and is prepared to take further steps to find a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise concerned; and
which the employer intends to fill either immediately or within a specific period of time.
‘Active steps to find a suitable candidate’ include:
notifying the job vacancy to the public employment services,
contacting a private employment agency/head hunters,
advertising the vacancy in the media (for example internet, newspapers, magazines),
advertising the vacancy on a public notice board,
approaching, interviewing or selecting possible candidates/potential recruits directly,
approaching employees and/or personal contacts,
using internships.
'Specific period of time’ refers to the maximum time the vacancy is open and intended to be filled. That period shall be unlimited; all vacancies for which active steps are continuing on the reference date shall be reported.
An 'occupied post’ means a paid post within the organisation to which an employee has been assigned.
2.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the business unit/establishment.
2.6. Statistical population
Enterprises with 5+ employees.
2.7. Reference area
The whole territory of the country.
2.8. Coverage - Time
From 2010 in NACE Rev.2 (B-S, B-F, G-N and O-S from 2009).
2.9. Base period
Not applicable.
3.1. Source data
Identification of the source of the data
The source of data on job vacancies is the quarterly survey on job vacancies conducted by Statistics Norway (SN), while the other required data (NACE and employee relationships) are gathered from the Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CRE) and from administrative data gathered through "Electronic Dialogue with Employers". This is a system where employers report data automatically, through their payroll and personnel system, to the Norwegian Tax Administration, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration and Statistics Norway.
Coverage
Geographical
The whole territory of the country is included in the survey.
NACE
NACE A to S.
Enterprise size
Enterprises with 5+ employees
Definition of the statistical unit
The statistical unit is the business unit/establishment.
Remarks
Sampling design
Base used for the sample
The Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CRE)
Sampling design
The establishments are divided into 35 NACE groups, each with 4 size classes.
Retention/renewal of sampling units
Approximately 50 % is renewed each year.
Sample size
Approximately 8000
Stratification
35x4 cells
Other sources
Maintenance agency
not applicable
Updating frequency
not applicable
Rules for clearance (of outdated information)
No rules.
Voluntary/compulsory reporting and sanctions
Compulsory reporting, with sanctions.
Remarks
3.2. Frequency of data collection
Reference dates
End of middle month of each quarter.
3.3. Data collection
Brief description of the data collection method(s)
Remarks
The data on job vacancies are collected by a web-based reporting system. We only have one question in the survey; on the number of job vacancies. The data on NACE and on the number of employee relationships are gathered from administrative registers.
3.4. Data validation
In the web-based reporting system (used by 99 per cent of the establishments which answer the survey), the respondents get automatically a warning if the reported number of job vacancies is very low or very high in relation to the number of employees. All the replies from the questionnaire are loaded into a revision system where the control is activated under similar conditions. The local units suspected to have answered on behalf of the entire enterprise are then contacted (by e-mail or telephone) to confirm the reported figure.
3.5. Data compilation
Brief description of the weighting method
Weighting dimensions
To inflate the sample data on job vacancies to population level, a model-based ratio estimator is used. There, it is assumed that the variable “number of employee relationships in the establishment” (x) contributes to explain the variable “number of job vacancies in the establishment” (y), and that there is an approximately linear relationship between x and y within each stratum (y = βx + ε). The strata are defined by industry and number of employee relationships. There are 35 industry groups and 4 size groups, making a total number of 140 groups/strata. In the model, we assume that the relation between x and y among establishments with 1-4 employees in a certain industry group is identical with the relation between x and y among establishments with 5-9 employees.
There are 35 industry groups and 4 size groups, making a total number of 140 groups/strata.
3.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
4.1. Quality assurance
Not applicable.
4.2. Quality management - assessment
Not applicable.
5.1. Relevance - User Needs
Description of the national users and their main needs
Remarks
Important users include public authorities, scientists, media, labour and employers’ organisations and enterprises.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Extent to which the needs of national users are satisfied (voluntary)
Remarks
Not available
5.3. Completeness
Description of missing variables and missing breakdowns of the variables
Report progress on the implementation measures regarding quarterly job vacancies statistics of Regulation (EC) No 453/2008, including :
a detailed plan and timetable for completing implementation
a summary of the remaining deviations from EU concepts
None
The job vacancy statistics produced by Statistics Norway is in compliance with all compulsory requirement stated by Regulation (EC) No 453/2008.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable
6.1. Accuracy - overall
Not applicable.
6.2. Sampling error
The sample consists of approximately 8 000 establishments, which equals about 2 per cent of the establishments in the population.
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Coefficient of variation (taking into account the sampling design) or estimated sampling error for the number of job vacancies (see guidelines).
Information on variables with non-negligible measurement and processing errors
Information on main sources of (non-negligible) measurement and processing errors and, if available, on methods applied for correction
Estimation bias: An assessment of the non-sampling errors, in terms of the absolute number of vacant posts, for the total number of job vacancies and, where possible, for aggregation level of NACE Rev. 2 specified in Annex 1 to this Regulation and size classes (1-9, 10 + employees).
Remarks
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
6.3.1. Coverage error
Description of any difference between the reference population and the study population
Description of classification errors
Description of any difference between the reference dates and the reference quarter
Any other relevant information
Establishments with 1-4 employees are not included in the sample. Therefore, we make an assumption that the correlation between the number of employee relationships and the number of job vacancies for establishments with 1-4 employees on average is identical with the one for establishments with 5-9 employees.
Not applicable
No difference.
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
6.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable
6.3.3. Non response error
See below.
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Unit response rate
93-97 per cent.
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.4. Processing error
See below.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
Item imputation rate and methods and, where possible, the effect of imputation on the estimates for the variables transmitted
No imputation
6.3.5. Model assumption error
If modelling is used, include a description of the models used. Particular emphasis should be given to models for imputation or grossing-up to correct for unit non-response.
We use a stratified ratio model where we assume that the variable number of employee relationships in the establishment (x) contributes to explain the variable number of job vacancies at the establishment (y) and that the correlation between the two variables is approximately linear within each stratum (35 industry groups and 4 size groups, making a total number of 140 strata).
6.4. Seasonal adjustment
Brief description of seasonal adjustment procedures, in particular with regard to the European Statistical System guidelines on seasonal adjustment which have been endorsed and supported by the SPC.
Statistics Norway started to deliver seasonally adjusted time series in 2017. JDemetra+ and the X12-ARIMA method are being used. A quality report for the seasonal adjustment will first be sent in 2018.
The SA quality report for 2020 is a bit different from other years. Because of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the way this is treated in JVS statistics, all new observations from the 2nd quarter of 2020 asre treated as level shifts in the seasonal adjustment. Thiu, no new information is effecting the seasonal pattern in data after 1st quarter og 2020. Because of this, we have done a concurrent adjustment after the 4th quarter of 2020.
Data revisions of non-adjusted figures are only made in cases where there are errors related to the numbers used.
6.6. Data revision - practice
Provide a revision history, including the revisions in the published number of job vacancies and a summary of the reasons for the revisions.
At the dissemination of the figures for the 1st quarter of 2017, the figures for the period 2014-2016 was revised. From 2014, there were made changes in some of the input data for the statistics on job vacancies. There were made two situational outtakes from the Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CRE) each month before 2014, and only one from January 2014 and onwards. Before 2014, we used the number of employees from the second outtake from the CRE, which referred to the middle month of the quarter. After the 2014 change, we should have started using the next situational outtake to continue the practice of using the information on employees referring to the middle month of the quarter. This was not done at the time, but we corrected this in 2017 and disseminated revised figures for the period 2014-2016. In addition, we started (from 2015) to use the figures on employees directly from the same source as the CRE – thereby using the number of employees from the correct month while all the other information from the CRE are collected with reference to the same period as before.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
7.1. Timeliness
See below.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result
Information on the time span between the release of data at national level and the reference period of the data.
Only final results are published.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result
1st quarter of 2018: 7 weeks after the end of the relevant quarter.
2nd quarter of 2018: 9 weeks after the end of the quarter.
3rd quarter of 2018: 6 weeks after the end of the relevant quarter.
4th quarter of 2018: 7 weeks after the end of the quarter.
7.2. Punctuality
See 7.2.1.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Deadlines for the respondents to reply, also covering recalls and follow-ups
Period of the fieldwork
Period of data processing
Dates of publication of first results
Remarks
First deadline: Approximately 3 weeks after the reference date (which is the end of the middle month of the quarter). Second deadline (for follow-ups): 45-60 days after the reference date.
9-14 weeks.
1-2 weeks.
11-15 weeks after the reference date (and 6-10 weeks after the relevant quarter).
8.1. Comparability - geographical
Information on differences between national and European concepts, and — to the extent possible — their effects on the estimation.
None.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time
Information on changes in definitions, coverage and methods in any two consecutive quarters, and their effects on the estimation.
Remarks
None.
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Back to the 1st quarter of 2010.
8.3. Coherence - cross domain
Comparisons of data on the number of vacant jobs from other relevant sources when available, in total and broken down by NACE at section level when relevant, and reasons if the values differ considerably.
Job vacancies
The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NLWA) produce statistics on job vacancies on a monthly basis, but with another scope and a different definition than the ones stipulated in the Regulation (EC) no 453/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The job vacancy statistics of the NLWA includes job vacancies that are reported to the NLWA or announced in the media (newspapers, magazines, etc.). The statistics of the NLWA do not include informal announcements or job vacancies exclusively announced by other means than mentioned above (for example announcements on home pages on the internet). As these methods of announcements are pretty common, especially in certain industries, Statistics Norway gets a higher estimate on the number of job vacancies than the NLWA. This is mainly due to diverging definitions. The figures from the NLWA are not broken down by NACE.
Occupied posts/employees
See below the comparison between the employees (LFS data) and occupied posts (JVS data)
Relation between job vacancy rate and unemployment rate
See below the Beveridge curve
Comment: We were unable to fully replicate the figures provided by Eurostat. Instead, we have supplied adjusted figures that we consider to be accurate. The data are sourced from table 11587 at SSB.no: Ledige stillingar, etter næring (SN2007), kvartal og statistikkvariabel (Statistikkbanken) and from table 14483 url: Job vacancies and Labour force survey
A 'job vacancy' is defined as a paid post that is newly created, unoccupied, or about to become vacant:
for which the employer is taking active steps and is prepared to take further steps to find a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise concerned; and
which the employer intends to fill either immediately or within a specific period of time.
‘Active steps to find a suitable candidate’ include:
notifying the job vacancy to the public employment services,
contacting a private employment agency/head hunters,
advertising the vacancy in the media (for example internet, newspapers, magazines),
advertising the vacancy on a public notice board,
approaching, interviewing or selecting possible candidates/potential recruits directly,
approaching employees and/or personal contacts,
using internships.
'Specific period of time’ refers to the maximum time the vacancy is open and intended to be filled. That period shall be unlimited; all vacancies for which active steps are continuing on the reference date shall be reported.
An 'occupied post’ means a paid post within the organisation to which an employee has been assigned.
The statistical unit is the business unit/establishment.
Enterprises with 5+ employees.
The whole territory of the country.
Not Applicable
Not applicable.
Not Applicable
Brief description of the weighting method
Weighting dimensions
To inflate the sample data on job vacancies to population level, a model-based ratio estimator is used. There, it is assumed that the variable “number of employee relationships in the establishment” (x) contributes to explain the variable “number of job vacancies in the establishment” (y), and that there is an approximately linear relationship between x and y within each stratum (y = βx + ε). The strata are defined by industry and number of employee relationships. There are 35 industry groups and 4 size groups, making a total number of 140 groups/strata. In the model, we assume that the relation between x and y among establishments with 1-4 employees in a certain industry group is identical with the relation between x and y among establishments with 5-9 employees.
There are 35 industry groups and 4 size groups, making a total number of 140 groups/strata.
Identification of the source of the data
The source of data on job vacancies is the quarterly survey on job vacancies conducted by Statistics Norway (SN), while the other required data (NACE and employee relationships) are gathered from the Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CRE) and from administrative data gathered through "Electronic Dialogue with Employers". This is a system where employers report data automatically, through their payroll and personnel system, to the Norwegian Tax Administration, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration and Statistics Norway.
Coverage
Geographical
The whole territory of the country is included in the survey.
NACE
NACE A to S.
Enterprise size
Enterprises with 5+ employees
Definition of the statistical unit
The statistical unit is the business unit/establishment.
Remarks
Sampling design
Base used for the sample
The Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CRE)
Sampling design
The establishments are divided into 35 NACE groups, each with 4 size classes.
Retention/renewal of sampling units
Approximately 50 % is renewed each year.
Sample size
Approximately 8000
Stratification
35x4 cells
Other sources
Maintenance agency
not applicable
Updating frequency
not applicable
Rules for clearance (of outdated information)
No rules.
Voluntary/compulsory reporting and sanctions
Compulsory reporting, with sanctions.
Remarks
Not Applicable
See below.
Information on differences between national and European concepts, and — to the extent possible — their effects on the estimation.
None.
Information on changes in definitions, coverage and methods in any two consecutive quarters, and their effects on the estimation.
