Waterside Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Waterside Workers transfer cargo between ships and other forms of transport or storage facilities.
Also known as: Wharf Labourer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Waterside Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II, III in stevedoring.
Tasks
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Receiving instructions by radio telephone and/or radio data terminal to load, unload or move cargo.
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Securing and releasing mooring lines of ships.
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Opening and closing ship hatches.
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Transferring loads using moving equipment and directing equipment operations using communication systems.
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Stacking cargo on pallets, trays, flats and slings to facilitate transfer to and from ships.
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Operating heavy vehicles and machinery, such as straddle carriers, fork-lifts and ships' cranes, to load and unload cargo from trucks, ships and rail transport services.
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Sorting cargo before loading and unloading.
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Labelling goods with customers' details and destinations.
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Loading goods into trucks, containers and rail wagons, and securing loads.
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Assisting to tie down loads and covering them with tarpaulins.
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Guiding truck drivers into loading bays and through confined spaces.
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Performing clerical functions to record and check cargo on arrival, storage and dispatch.
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Positioning goods in the holds of ships and securing cargo to prevent shifting during voyages.
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Packing containers and re-packing damaged containers.
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Cleaning out ships' tanks and holds.
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Washing out containers and carrying out other general yard duties such as shunting on the railway.
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Arranging for damaged containers of hazardous material to be quarantined.
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Carrying out safety checks.
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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Very 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, Freight and Furniture Handlers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 68% of people employed as Waterside Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Waterside Workers work in the Transport, postal and warehousing 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 | Waterside Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 17.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 4.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 42% of Waterside Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Western Australia 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 Waterside Workers is 46 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 4% of the workforce. This is 44 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 | Waterside Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 14.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 32.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 46 | 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 Waterside Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II, III in stevedoring.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Waterside Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 39.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 19.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 24.3 | 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 Freight and Furniture Handlers who are physically fit, reliable, polite and courteous.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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32%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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32%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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30%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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30%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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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%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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29%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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27%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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27%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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23%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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36%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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35%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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33%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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31%
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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29%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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27%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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26%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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23%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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22%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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21%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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18%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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15%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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13%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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13%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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12%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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11%
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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10%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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8%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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6%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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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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52%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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39%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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39%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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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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37%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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36%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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80%
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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57%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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54%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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48%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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48%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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47%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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44%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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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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39%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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39%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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37%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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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%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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34%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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31%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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29%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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28%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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28%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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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33%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually 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%
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%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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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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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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31%
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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29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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29%
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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29%
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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96%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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90%
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%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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86%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
85%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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83%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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81%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
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80%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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76%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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75%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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75%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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74%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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73%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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72%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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70%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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69%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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68%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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66%
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, 53-7062.00 - Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand.
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.