Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Workers perform routine tasks on grain, oilseed protein, or pasture farms, such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting and irrigating crops. They may spray chemicals on crops to treat diseases and pests.
Tasks
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Plants seeds, seedlings, roots, bulbs, vines and other plants using hand tools and farm machines.
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Builds trellises for climbing vegetables and vines.
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Operates farm machines to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest vegetables and other field crops.
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Sprays plants, crops and pastures with chemicals to control weed growth, insects, fungus growth and diseases.
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Thins, weeds and hoes row crops and vines.
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Irrigates land for crop growth.
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Selects and harvests crops according to size and ripeness, and discards rotting and over-ripened produce.
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Grades, sorts, bunches and packs produce into containers and loads onto trucks.
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
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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, Crop Farm Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 73% of people employed as Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 47 hours per week in their main job. This is 3 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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Most Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers work in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing 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 | Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 18.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 13.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 17.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 21.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 96% of Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
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:
- Western Australia - Wheat Belt
- North West (VIC)
- Barossa - Yorke - Mid North
- Darling Downs - Maranoa
- Western Australia - Outback (South).
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 Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers is 38 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 13% of the workforce. This is 35 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 | Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 7.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 14.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 22.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 16.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 8.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 38 | 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 Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Worker. Some workers have a certificate II in agriculture or production horticulture.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 28.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 22.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 31.7 | 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 Crop Farm Workers who are reliable, hardworking and physically fit.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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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%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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34%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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32%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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32%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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29%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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39%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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36%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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34%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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31%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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26%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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24%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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23%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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22%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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22%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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21%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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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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21%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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21%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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17%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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15%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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13%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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13%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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7%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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5%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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54%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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48%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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39%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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39%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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39%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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38%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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38%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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36%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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36%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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34%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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60%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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42%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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39%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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37%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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34%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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31%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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30%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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27%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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27%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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24%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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22%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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22%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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21%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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21%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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21%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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20%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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20%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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20%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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18%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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15%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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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29%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
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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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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52%
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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52%
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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29%
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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24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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24%
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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19%
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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99%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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92%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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90%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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85%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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84%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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84%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
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83%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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81%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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79%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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79%
Automation of tasksDo tasks that are mostly automated.
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78%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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77%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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76%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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75%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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70%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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70%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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66%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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65%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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64%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's 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, 45-2092.02 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop.
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.