Sugar Mill Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Sugar Mill Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to extract juice from sugar cane to make granular sugar and molasses.
Tasks
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Weighs, measures, and processes ingredients.
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Operates processing plant.
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Monitors product quality before packaging by inspecting, taking samples and adjusting treatment conditions when necessary.
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Cleans equipment, pumps, hoses, storage tanks, vessels and floors, and maintains infestation control programs.
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Regulates speed of conveyors and crusher rollers, and adjusts tension of rollers to ensure total extraction of juice from sugar cane.
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Moves products from production lines into storage and shipping areas.
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Packages products.
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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Administrative
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Light
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Food and Drink Factory Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 95% of people employed as Sugar Mill Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 29 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to 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 Sugar Mill Workers work in the Manufacturing 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 | Sugar Mill Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 8.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 2.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 88.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 0.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 0.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 98% of Sugar Mill Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its 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 Sugar Mill Workers is 49 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 5% of the workforce. This is 43 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 | Sugar Mill Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 5.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 13.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 15.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 11.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 49 | 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 Sugar Mill Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in sugar milling.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Food Processing VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Sugar Mill Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 40.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 15.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 32.7 | 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 Food and Drink Factory Workers who are reliable, hardworking and have good people skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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54%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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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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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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68%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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60%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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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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41%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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40%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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36%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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30%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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30%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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29%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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29%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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26%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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23%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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23%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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22%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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22%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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21%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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18%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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16%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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11%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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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%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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46%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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43%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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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%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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78%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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77%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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62%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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57%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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56%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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53%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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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%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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48%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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48%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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47%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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46%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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46%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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44%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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43%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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42%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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42%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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40%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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29%
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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19%
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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71%
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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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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40%
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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38%
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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38%
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%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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94%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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93%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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90%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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89%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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85%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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80%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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76%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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73%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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73%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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71%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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71%
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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69%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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69%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
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67%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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67%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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66%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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65%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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64%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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, 51-9021.00 - Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
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.