Laggers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Laggers apply insulating materials, such as felt, fibreglass, polyurethane and cork, to pipes, steam generators, process vats and ducting, and secure insulation with wire, wire netting, staples, metal strapping and using welding torches.
Tasks
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Organises insulating materials to be available for application.
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Measures cuts and applies insulation.
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Secures insulation using tools/machinery.
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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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 Construction and Mining Labourers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 88% of people employed as Laggers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 51 hours per week in their main job. This is 7 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 Laggers work in the Construction 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 | Laggers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 19.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 1.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 23.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 65% of Laggers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia and Queensland 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 Laggers is 42 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 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 | Laggers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 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 Lagger. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in related areas like carpentry, joinery, engineering trades or plumbing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Laggers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 5.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 24.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 23.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 34.3 | 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 Construction and Mining Labourers who are reliable, hardworking and can work independently.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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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%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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30%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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30%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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29%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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27%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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57%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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55%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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51%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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50%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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50%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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48%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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46%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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42%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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40%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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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%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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31%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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28%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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26%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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26%
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%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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20%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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19%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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19%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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48%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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46%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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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%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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41%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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41%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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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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39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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79%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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71%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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56%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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54%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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54%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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52%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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51%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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50%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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50%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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49%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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49%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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48%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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48%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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47%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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44%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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44%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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43%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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40%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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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71%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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57%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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24%
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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81%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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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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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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48%
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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38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
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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98%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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97%
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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94%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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91%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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91%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
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90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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88%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
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88%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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88%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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88%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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86%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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86%
Climbing ladders, scaffolds, or polesSpend time climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
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85%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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82%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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82%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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81%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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81%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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80%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2132.00 - Insulation Workers, Mechanical.
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.