Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews load and unload baggage, direct planes, position staircases, fill aircraft fuel tanks and perform other aircraft ground services to ensure aircraft operations run efficiently.
Specialisations: Ramp Agent.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in aviation (ground operations and services).
Tasks
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Sorts baggage.
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Drives baggage and freight to aircraft on forklifts and transport trolleys.
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Helps position loading ramps and staircases.
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Loads items into aircraft as per instructions, including livestock.
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Fills aircraft fuel tanks.
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Unloads aircrafts of freight and baggage.
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Directs planes to parking positions.
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Directs passengers.
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Cleans aircraft.
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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Enterprising
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Medium
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Heavy
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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, Other Mobile Plant Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 63% of people employed as Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews 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 42 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 Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews 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 | Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 20.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 13.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 75% of Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Melbourne - North West
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Sutherland
- Perth - South East.
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 Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews is 38 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 13% of the workforce. This is 35 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 14.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 38 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in aviation (ground operations and services).
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 | Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 7.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 9.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 35.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 14.2 | 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 Other Mobile Plant Operators who are trustworthy and responsible, can communicate with a variety of people and have good team work skills
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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54%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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52%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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50%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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50%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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46%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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46%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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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%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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39%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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37%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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34%
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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80%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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70%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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63%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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62%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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62%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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62%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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61%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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58%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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56%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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55%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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50%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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50%
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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46%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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46%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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44%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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37%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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36%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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31%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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31%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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30%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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50%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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45%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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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72%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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70%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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69%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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69%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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66%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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66%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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65%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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64%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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61%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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61%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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61%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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57%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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57%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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56%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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54%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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53%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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51%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process 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%
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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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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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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76%
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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55%
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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52%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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52%
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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100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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99%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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99%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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98%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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97%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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94%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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93%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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92%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
92%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
91%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
90%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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89%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
89%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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88%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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88%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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87%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
85%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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85%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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81%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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, 53-1011.00 - Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors.
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.