Browse Skills crafting

crafting

🔄 Evolving ESCO reuse: sector-specific

The ability to work with the hands in order to create something artistic.

crafting — the ability to work with the hands in order to create something artistic. McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the evolving band (SCI 50.68/100) — the skill will still matter in 2030 but the nature of the work is changing. ESCO classifies it as a sector-specific (rooted in one industry) skill within knowledge. It is currently listed by 2 occupations in our catalogue, including cigar brander, and pastry maker.

Category: knowledge › handicrafts SCI: 50.68/100 Also known as: craft, hand working, work with hands, hand work

Occupations that require crafting

Showing top 2 of 2 occupations · ranked by India employment volume, then AI-durability.

cigar brander · 🤖 5.0/10
pastry maker · 🤖 5.0/10

Frequently asked questions

What is crafting?

The ability to work with the hands in order to create something artistic.

What category of skill is crafting?

ESCO classifies crafting under the knowledge category, specifically in the handicrafts subcategory.

Is crafting an AI-durable skill?

McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the evolving band (SCI 50.68/100) — the skill will still matter in 2030 but the nature of the work is changing. Continue investing, but pair it with the AI-tool workflow that is reshaping the field so you evolve with it.

Which jobs require crafting?

In our catalogue, 2 occupations list crafting as a required or important skill. The top occupations by employment volume include cigar brander, pastry maker.

How transferable is crafting between industries?

ESCO tags crafting as a sector-specific (rooted in one industry) skill — a signal of how portable it is when you change field.

Is crafting the same as craft?

Yes — crafting is also known as craft, hand working, work with hands, or hand work. They refer to the same underlying capability in the ESCO taxonomy.

How can I learn crafting?

The most reliable path is to pick a job or project that demands crafting and learn through delivery. Complement that with role-specific roadmaps and short courses. Explore the occupations below to see where this skill is used in practice.

Data: ESCO v1.2.1 (CC-BY-4.0). Durability framework informed by McKinsey Global Institute (Nov 2025). See our methodology.