The rapid evolution of industrial technologies, digital transformation, and growing demands for interdisciplinary skills have significantly influenced the structure and requirements of the labor market, particularly in technical professions outside the economic domain. This paper aims to identify current knowledge, skills, and competence requirements for selected non-economic technical occupations in the fields of chemical production and food processing. The research focuses on a comparative analysis of two national classification and qualification systems in Slovakia—the National System of Occupations (NSP) and the National Qualifications Framework (NSK). These databases serve as key instruments for labor market regulation, education system design, and strategic human resource planning.

The primary objective of this research is to systematically extract and evaluate the qualification standards defined in both systems for occupations relevant to the chemical and food industries. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the study categorizes specific job roles (e.g., chemical production technician, food processing operator, laboratory analyst) and examines their associated knowledge areas, technical skills, and competences. Special emphasis is placed on identifying inconsistencies between NSP and NSK, and on exploring whether the defined competencies adequately reflect the requirements of Industry 4.0, including digital literacy, data interpretation, automation-related knowledge, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Initial findings indicate a partial mismatch between the two national systems, which may hinder alignment between vocational education outcomes and practical labor market demands. In several cases, expected competences are described in overly general terms or fail to integrate emerging digital and regulatory requirements that are increasingly important in highly controlled industries such as chemical manufacturing and food safety management. Moreover, soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork—critical in modern industrial environments—are often underrepresented or insufficiently specified.

The results of this study may inform policymakers, curriculum developers, educational institutions, and employers by highlighting gaps in the current qualification frameworks and suggesting directions for their improvement. Aligning occupational standards with actual industry needs is essential not only for fostering graduate employability but also for ensuring long-term sectoral innovation and sustainability in the Slovak labor market.

Keywords: Competence requirements, labor market needs, chemical Industry, higher education.