What is a Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA)?

Mar 12 2026

Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA) is one of the foundational tools used in vocational evaluation and employability assessment. In both disability and litigation contexts, TSA helps translate a person’s work history, education, and functional abilities into a structured analysis of potential labour market access.

At its core, a TSA is a structured vocational methodology used to determine how an individual’s past work experience and acquired skills may transfer to other occupations within the labour market.

While the concept may appear straightforward, a defensible TSA involves much more than simply identifying jobs that appear similar to a person’s past employment.

The Purpose of Transferable Skills Analysis

In vocational and forensic contexts, TSA helps answer several key questions:

• What occupations share similar skill requirements to the individual’s past work?

• Do those occupations remain compatible with the individual’s functional limitations?

• Are those jobs realistically accessible in the labour market?

• Would additional training or skill development be required to transition into those roles?

By answering these questions, TSA helps bridge the gap between functional limitations and employability opinions.

In many vocational and earning capacity assessments, TSA becomes the analytical foundation upon which employability conclusions are built.

Beyond a List of Alternative Occupations

One common misconception is that Transferable Skills Analysis simply produces a list of possible jobs. In reality, a defensible TSA involves integrating multiple sources of evidence and analytical steps.

These may include:

• occupational data (such as NOC /OaSIS classifications)

• analysis of physical and cognitive job demands

• detailed review of work history and skill development

• education and training history

• medical and functional restrictions

• labour market conditions and job availability

Identifying occupations with similar skill requirements is only the starting point.

A thorough TSA must also evaluate whether skills genuinely transfer across occupations, particularly when restrictions, retraining requirements, or labour market barriers are present.

Labour Market Reality Matters

In forensic and disability cases, the question is rarely just whether a person could theoretically perform a job. The more important question is whether they can realistically access and sustain employment in those roles.

This requires considering factors such as:

• regional labour market conditions

• competition for entry-level or retraining positions

• employer tolerance for limitations or accommodations

• durability of the individual’s work capacity

Without this broader context, a list of potential occupations may not accurately reflect real-world employability.

TSA as the Bridge Between Medical Evidence and Employability

In many vocational reports, Transferable Skills Analysis serves as the analytical bridge connecting:

medical and functional evidence → labour market access → employability opinions

By systematically integrating medical restrictions, occupational data, and work history, TSA allows vocational evaluators to determine whether meaningful labour market access remains.

This analysis often forms the basis for broader opinions regarding:

• employability

• retrainability

• vocational capacity

• earning capacity

Why Methodology Matters

In litigation and disability matters, the strength of a vocational opinion often depends on the clarity and transparency of the underlying methodology.

A well-documented TSA should explain:

• how occupations were identified

• how functional limitations were applied to job demands

• what labour market evidence was considered

• why certain occupations were ruled in or out

When the analytical process is clearly explained, TSA becomes a powerful and defensible component of vocational evidence.

Consulting and Referral Inquiries

Transferable Skills Analysis is frequently used as part of broader vocational and employability assessments in disability and litigation contexts.

If you are a lawyer, insurer, or rehabilitation professional seeking an independent vocational opinion regarding employability, retrainability, or earning capacity, I welcome inquiries regarding potential assessments.

Services include:

• Vocational and Psycho-Vocational Evaluations

• Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA)

• Employability and Earning Capacity Assessments

• Labour Market and Vocational Capacity Analysis for litigation and disability matters

For consultation inquiries or potential referrals, please contact info@hmvocational.ca or referrals@hmvocational.ca