Architectural Draftspersons
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Architectural Draftspersons complete Architects' concepts by preparing drawings and plans, and liaising with builders and contractors.
Also known as: Architectural Associate.
Specialisations: Building Drafting Officer.
A formal qualification in architecture or building design is usually needed to work as an Architectural Draftsperson. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
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Assists construction managers, architects and surveyors in planning and organisation.
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Interprets plans, regulations and codes of practice.
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Prepares preliminary sketches, working drawings and specifications.
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Prepares, edits and revises plans, maps, charts and drawings.
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Co-ordinates works programs.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Creative
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Administrative
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Light
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, Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 78% of people employed as Architectural Draftspersons work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points above 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 Architectural Draftspersons work in the Professional, scientific and technical services 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 | Architectural Draftspersons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.1 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 70% of Architectural Draftspersons live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria 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 Architectural Draftspersons is 39 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 26% of the workforce. This is 22 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 | Architectural Draftspersons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 29.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.6 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 39 | 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
A formal qualification in architecture or building design is usually needed to work as an Architectural Draftsperson. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Architectural Draftspersons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 10.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 27.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 38.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 11.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 9.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.3 | 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 Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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59%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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55%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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54%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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52%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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52%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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52%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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50%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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50%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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50%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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50%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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50%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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48%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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46%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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45%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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32%
Management of material resourcesProviding the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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90%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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81%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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71%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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67%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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61%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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56%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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55%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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52%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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48%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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44%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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44%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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40%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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39%
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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34%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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33%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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32%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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32%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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31%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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28%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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24%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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63%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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61%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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61%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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59%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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55%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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54%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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52%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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52%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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50%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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50%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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50%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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50%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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73%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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70%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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68%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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66%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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64%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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59%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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59%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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58%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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56%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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56%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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53%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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52%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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52%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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51%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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48%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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46%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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46%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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45%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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81%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
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%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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64%
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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62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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57%
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.
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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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57%
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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48%
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.
Demands
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96%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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95%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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93%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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93%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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87%
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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85%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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81%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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81%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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80%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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79%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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74%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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73%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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69%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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69%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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69%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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66%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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62%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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62%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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60%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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, 17-3011.01 - Architectural Drafters.
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.