Dog Handlers and Trainers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Dog Handlers or Trainers teach dogs to obey commands and undertake specific tasks.
Tasks
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Teaches animals to obey verbal and non-verbal commands and addresses behavioural problems.
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Trains animals to perform in competitions.
Characteristics
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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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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, Animal Attendants and Trainers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 59% of people employed as Dog Handlers and Trainers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more 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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Dog Handlers and Trainers work in industries like:
- Other services
- Public administration and safety
- Arts and recreation services
- Health care and social assistance.
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 | Dog Handlers and Trainers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 47% of Dog Handlers and Trainers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
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 Dog Handlers and Trainers is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 59% of the workforce. This is 11 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 | Dog Handlers and Trainers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 26.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 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 a Dog Handler or Trainer. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in dog training.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Animal Care and Management VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Dog Handlers and Trainers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 3.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 15.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 14.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 30.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 16.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.9 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 15.2 | 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 Animal Attendants and Trainers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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50%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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48%
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%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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43%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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37%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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37%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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36%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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32%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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62%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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60%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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52%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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49%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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43%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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40%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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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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34%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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31%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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31%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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31%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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30%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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30%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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30%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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29%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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28%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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27%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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24%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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22%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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50%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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46%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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45%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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41%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
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39%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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74%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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71%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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69%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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68%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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68%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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67%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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66%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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64%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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60%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes 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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58%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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57%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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57%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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55%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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54%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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52%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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52%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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49%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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47%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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52%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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38%
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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29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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76%
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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62%
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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57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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50%
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.
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43%
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.
Demands
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96%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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90%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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90%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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86%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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85%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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84%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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81%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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78%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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76%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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75%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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74%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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73%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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72%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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70%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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70%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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70%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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69%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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68%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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, 39-2011.00 - Animal Trainers.
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.