Chemical Plant Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Chemical Plant Workers perform routine tasks in chemical processing plants, such as delivering materials to processing areas, dumping ingredients into hoppers, operating machines to heat, cool and agitate chemical solutions, filling and fastening covers on containers, and attaching labels and information on products.
Specialisations: Gas Plant Worker, Munitions Factory Worker, Paint Factory Worker.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Chemical Plant Worker. Some workers have a certificate II in process manufacturing.
Tasks
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Delivering materials to processing areas.
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Dumping ingredients into hoppers.
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Operating machines to heat, cool and agitate chemical solutions.
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Filling and fastening covers on containers and attaching labels and information on products.
Characteristics
- 839911 Cement and Concrete Plant Workers
- 839912 Chemical Plant Workers
- 839913 Clay Processing Factory Workers
- 839914 Fabric and Textile Factory Workers
- 839915 Footwear Factory Workers
- 839916 Glass Processing Workers
- 839917 Hide and Skin Processing Workers
- 839918 Recycling Workers
- 839999 Factory Process Workers (not covered elsewhere)
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Heavy
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, Other Factory Process Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 83% of people employed as Chemical Plant Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 17 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to 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 Chemical Plant Workers work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
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 | Chemical Plant Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 39.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 15.0 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.1 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 70% of Chemical Plant Workers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Blacktown
- Sydney - South West
- Sydney - Outer South West.
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 Chemical Plant Workers is 43 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 26% of the workforce. This is 22 percentage points below 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 | Chemical Plant Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 20.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.3 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 43 | 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 usually required to work as a Chemical Plant Worker. Some workers have a certificate II in process manufacturing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Chemical Plant Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 12.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 18.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 26.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 24.2 | 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 Factory Process Workers who are reliable, can work independently and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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64%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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55%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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54%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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54%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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54%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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54%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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50%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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41%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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41%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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39%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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39%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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37%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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62%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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58%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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47%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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41%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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40%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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39%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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39%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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36%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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33%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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28%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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27%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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22%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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22%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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21%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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20%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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16%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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14%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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54%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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54%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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54%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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52%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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52%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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52%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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50%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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48%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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39%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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39%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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66%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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65%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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64%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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63%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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62%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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58%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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57%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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56%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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51%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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48%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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47%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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46%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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44%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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43%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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43%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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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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38%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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38%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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28%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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29%
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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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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81%
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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67%
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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62%
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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57%
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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48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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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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100%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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99%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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97%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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96%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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95%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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93%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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92%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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91%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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91%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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89%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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89%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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88%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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83%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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83%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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82%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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82%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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81%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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, 51-8091.00 - Chemical Plant and System Operators.
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.