Bar Usefuls and Bussers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Bar Usefuls or Bussers clean and maintain public areas in bars, clubs or dining establishments by collecting and returning dishes, cutlery and glasses to the kitchen or bar, wiping tables, bars and spillages, and emptying bins and ashtrays.
Also known as: Bar Back or Glassie.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Bar Useful or Busser. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related area like hospitality.
Tasks
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Prepares service areas by cleaning and laying tables.
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Removes used plates, cutlery and glassware from tables, wipes up bar areas and tables.
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Empties rubbish containers and ashtrays.
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Washes up spills or sweeps up broken glass.
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
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Other Hospitality Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 8% of people employed as Bar Usefuls and Bussers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 58 percentage points below 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 Bar Usefuls and Bussers work in the Accommodation and food 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 | Bar Usefuls and Bussers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 17.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 26.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 17.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 75% of Bar Usefuls and Bussers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Queensland and Queensland have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
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 Bar Usefuls and Bussers is 21 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 20 to 24 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 | Bar Usefuls and Bussers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 34.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 39.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 2.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 2.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 0.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 0.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 21 | 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 Bar Useful or Busser. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related area like hospitality.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Tourism, Travel and Hospitality VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Bar Usefuls and Bussers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 12.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 11.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 50.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 11.4 | 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
We're working on this content
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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34%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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30%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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30%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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30%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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30%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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29%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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27%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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25%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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25%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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25%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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25%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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25%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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23%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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23%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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23%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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21%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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21%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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18%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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45%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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35%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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31%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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29%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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28%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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24%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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23%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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23%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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23%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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22%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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20%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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17%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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14%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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14%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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13%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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13%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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9%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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7%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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46%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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46%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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41%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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39%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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39%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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37%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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36%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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32%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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32%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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30%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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30%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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30%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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30%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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29%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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63%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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61%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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59%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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53%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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51%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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50%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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49%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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47%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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47%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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46%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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46%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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45%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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43%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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41%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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40%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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38%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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36%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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36%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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34%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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33%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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38%
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%
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.
Values
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76%
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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43%
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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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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24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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24%
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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24%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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96%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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91%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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90%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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90%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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86%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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86%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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78%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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74%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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74%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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73%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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71%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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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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68%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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68%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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68%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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66%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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66%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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64%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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60%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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, 35-9011.00 - Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers.
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.