Fire Protection Equipment Technicians
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Fire Protection Equipment Technicians install, test and maintain fire protection equipment and systems such as extinguishers, hoses, reels, hydrants, fire blankets, exit lighting, fire and smoke doors, gaseous fire suppression systems, passive fire and smoke containment systems and foam generating equipment.
Specialisations: Fire Extinguisher Technician.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Fire Protection Equipment Technician. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in fire protection.
Tasks
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Protects human life and property from fire damage, using fire prevention techniques.
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Reads and understands complicated technical documents.
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Keeps up to date with fire protection measures against terrorist threats or natural disasters.
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Analyses existing protection measures and designs up-to-date fire protection systems.
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Consults with architects or other industry experts to design safe buildings or transportation vehicles.
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Researches new issues in fire prevention and develops solutions, sometimes with the use of advanced computer modelling systems, to predict the occurrence and spread of fire.
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Tests the ability of particular chemicals to suppress fire or performs research on existing fire prevention techniques.
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Conducts analysis of fire risks and develops appropriate safeguards.
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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Analytical
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Light
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Medium
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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 Technicians and Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 91% of people employed as Fire Protection Equipment Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 25 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
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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Fire Protection Equipment Technicians work in industries like:
- Public administration and safety
- Construction
- Other services
- Professional, scientific and technical services.
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 | Fire Protection Equipment Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 21.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 60% of Fire Protection Equipment Technicians live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Perth - North West
- Gold Coast
- Sydney - Outer West and Blue Mountains
- Melbourne - South East.
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 Fire Protection Equipment Technicians is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 3% of the workforce. This is 45 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 | Fire Protection Equipment Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.2 | 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 a Fire Protection Equipment Technician. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in fire protection.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Health Industry, Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking and Property Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Fire Protection Equipment Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 3.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 5.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 48.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 15.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 13.8 | 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 Other Technicians and Trades Workers 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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59%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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59%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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57%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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57%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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57%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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57%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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55%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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55%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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54%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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54%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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52%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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52%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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48%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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48%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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85%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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81%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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75%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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71%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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66%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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66%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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62%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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61%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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59%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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59%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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58%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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56%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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53%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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52%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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47%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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47%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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45%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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37%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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36%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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35%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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63%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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63%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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63%
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%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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57%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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57%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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57%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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54%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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78%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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77%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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77%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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75%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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74%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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73%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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72%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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72%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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72%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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71%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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71%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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70%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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69%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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69%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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67%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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66%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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64%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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63%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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62%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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55%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process 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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95%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
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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57%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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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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81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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81%
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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79%
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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76%
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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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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43%
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.
Demands
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99%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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96%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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89%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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85%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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85%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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83%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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80%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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78%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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76%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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76%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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74%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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68%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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66%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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64%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
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63%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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62%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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, 17-2111.02 - Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers.
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.