Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in their education, provide feedback to parents or guardians and teachers about students' progress, and liaise with educational bodies, government agencies and committees.
Specialisations: Aboriginal Education Worker Coordinator, Aboriginal Home-School Liaison Officer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in education support.
Tasks
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Demonstrates, supervises and participates in activities which enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in schools and preschool centres.
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Prepares indoor and outdoor areas for learning and recreational activities.
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Assists children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties with their academic studies.
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Assists children individually to learn social skills.
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Assists with preparing teaching aids by copying and collating written and printed material.
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Distributes and collects lesson material.
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Provides assistance to small groups of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori students.
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Provides home-school liaison and counselling for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori students and their families.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Administrative
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Education Aides, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 45% of people employed as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 21 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers work in the Education and training industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 25.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 3.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 20.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 15.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 79% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
The Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Northern Territory - Outback
- Queensland - Outback
- Western Australia - Outback (North)
- South Australia - Outback
- Far West and Orana.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 77% of the workforce. This is 29 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in education support.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Community Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 8.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 10.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 18.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 21.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Education Aides who have strong interpersonal skills, can communicate well as part of a team and are motivated.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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46%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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45%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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39%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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29%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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25%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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20%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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50%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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50%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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49%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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49%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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39%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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36%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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36%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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36%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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35%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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30%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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29%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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28%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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27%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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27%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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20%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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19%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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14%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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13%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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11%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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50%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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45%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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37%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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32%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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30%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
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30%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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30%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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67%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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58%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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57%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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56%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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55%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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52%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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47%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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46%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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45%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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44%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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44%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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42%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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42%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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41%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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40%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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40%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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38%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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31%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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76%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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43%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Values
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86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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48%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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43%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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89%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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85%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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76%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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71%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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71%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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68%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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65%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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65%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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64%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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63%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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62%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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60%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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60%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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59%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
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57%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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54%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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52%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 25-9041.00 - Teacher Assistants.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.