Canvas and Leather Goods Makers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Canvas and Leather Goods Makers make and repair boots, shoes, leather goods, canvas and sailcloth articles, and related products.
Tasks
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cutting and preparing canvas, leather and sailcloth to design specifications, patterns and drawings
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sewing, gluing and riveting sections of canvas together to make articles such as awnings, tents, tarpaulins and horse rugs
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attaching grommets, fastenings and other fittings to canvas goods
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joining parts of leather articles using rivets, hand sewing, sewing machines, tools and adhesive
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restoring and repairing leather articles
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fabricating sails
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designing patterns and prototypes of boots and shoes
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making and grading patterns using manual and computerised methods
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clicking synthetics, corrected grains, leather linings and leather outers by hand and machine
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altering and repairing footwear
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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Creative
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Administrative
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to decline
- is likely to reach 1,500 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 2,300 |
2012 | 2,700 |
2013 | 2,900 |
2014 | 3,900 |
2015 | 700 |
2016 | 1,200 |
2017 | 2,400 |
2018 | 3,500 |
2019 | 900 |
2020 | 2,000 |
2021 | 1,700 |
2026 | 1,500 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 73% of people employed as Canvas and Leather Goods Makers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Canvas and Leather Goods Makers work in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Canvas and Leather Goods Makers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 30.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 22.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 45% of Canvas and Leather Goods Makers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
South Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Moreton Bay - North.
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 Canvas and Leather Goods Makers is 49 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 23% of the workforce. This is 25 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 | Canvas and Leather Goods Makers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 14.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 15.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 28.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 10.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 49 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Canvas or Leather Goods Maker. Some workers have a certificate II or III in textile fabrication, leather production or footwear production.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Textiles, Clothing & Footwear VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Canvas and Leather Goods Makers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 34.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 19.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 26.3 | 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 Canvas and Leather Goods Makers who are hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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37%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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36%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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34%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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32%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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32%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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30%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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25%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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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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23%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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21%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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20%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
39%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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37%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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36%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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32%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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30%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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28%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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24%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
23%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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23%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
21%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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19%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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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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18%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
17%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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15%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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13%
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%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
4%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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39%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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38%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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38%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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38%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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38%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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36%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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36%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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36%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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36%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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34%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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34%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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34%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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34%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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32%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
60%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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42%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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41%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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38%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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36%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
35%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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35%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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35%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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31%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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29%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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29%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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29%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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28%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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27%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
25%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
25%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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23%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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22%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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21%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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19%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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.
-
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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57%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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48%
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.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
38%
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.
-
33%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
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.
Demands
-
93%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
90%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
89%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
87%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
83%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
81%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
74%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
68%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
68%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
68%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
68%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
65%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
64%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
62%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
61%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
57%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
57%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
56%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on 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, 51-6041.00 - Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers.
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.