Nursery Hands (Horticulture)
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Nursery Hands (Horticulture) assist in propagating, cultivating and harvesting plants in horticultural nurseries.
Tasks
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Loading, unloading and moving nursery supplies and equipment.
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Preparing nursery sites and plots using hand tools and machines.
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Assisting with propagating and transplanting plants.
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Watering, and weeding.
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Tidying work areas and removing rubbish.
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Tending plants by hand watering and weeding.
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Adjusting mist irrigation systems, shade and ventilation.
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, Garden and Nursery Labourers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 52% of people employed as Nursery Hands (Horticulture) work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Nursery Hands (Horticulture) work in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing 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 | Nursery Hands (Horticulture) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 23.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 26.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 54% of Nursery Hands (Horticulture) live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
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 Nursery Hands (Horticulture) is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 57% of the workforce. This is 9 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 | Nursery Hands (Horticulture) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.3 | 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 Nursery Hand (Horticulture). Although some workers have a certificate II or III in 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 | Nursery Hands (Horticulture) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 22.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 24.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 30.4 | 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 Garden and Nursery Labourers who are hardworking, have a positive and enthusiastic attitude and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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37%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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36%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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36%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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30%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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29%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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29%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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27%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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27%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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25%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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23%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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20%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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38%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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34%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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32%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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32%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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31%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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29%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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27%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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22%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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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%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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21%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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21%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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21%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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19%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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19%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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17%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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17%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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16%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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16%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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7%
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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57%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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52%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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45%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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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%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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37%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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61%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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49%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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47%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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43%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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43%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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41%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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40%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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40%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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37%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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36%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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35%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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34%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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34%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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32%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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30%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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30%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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27%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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27%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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26%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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23%
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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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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19%
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%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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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%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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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.
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33%
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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33%
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%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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94%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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85%
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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82%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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80%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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72%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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71%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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70%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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69%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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68%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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68%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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64%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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62%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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62%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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61%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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60%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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55%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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54%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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54%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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53%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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, 45-2092.01 - Nursery Workers.
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.