How can employment be classified?

There are four types of employment. These are primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary jobs.

Primary jobs involve getting raw materials from the natural environment e.g. Mining, farming and fishing.

Secondary jobs involve making things (manufacturing) e.g. making cars and steel.

Tertiary jobs involve providing a service e.g. teaching and nursing.

Quaternary jobs involve research and development e.g. IT.

A country’s industrial structure is the percentage of people working in each job type. Changing the balance between these four sectors of industry can help a country to develop.