Since its inception in 1933, everything that the Employment Security Service has done directly and indirectly involves the gathering, analysis, and distribution of occupational information. Yet, as vital as occupational information is to the employment service, only a very small portion of the total employment security budget, perhaps 5 to 10 percent, is actually devoted to the occupational and labor market functions. To fulfill its planning, administrative, and operational obligations, the Employment Security Service needs the following: occupational information concerning the short- and long-term labor demand and supply on a labor market area level, an annual labor market area analysis of supply and demand by industry and occupation, and a workload data system for use in planning and evaluating local office and statewide performance. Examination of the totality of the Occupational Information System (OIS) and the national and state occupational coordinating committee structure reveals that the major gaps and deficiencies of the system exist at the state and local levels. To remedy this situation, legislators must provide adequate support and funding for a professionally staffed nationwide employment service system. (MN)