Diesel Motor Mechanics
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Diesel Motor Mechanics maintain, test and repair diesel motors and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles such as transmissions, suspension, steering and brakes.
Specialisations: Automotive Heavy Mechanic.
A certificate III in automotive diesel engine technology, automotive diesel fuel technology or another related field is usually needed to work as a Diesel Motor Mechanic. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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Detects and diagnoses faults in engines and parts.
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Dismantles and removes engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checks parts.
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Repairs and replaces worn and defective parts and reassembles mechanical components, and refers to service manuals as needed.
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Reassembles engines and parts after being repaired.
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Tests and adjusts mechanical parts after being repaired for proper performance, diagnoses and tests parts with the assistance of computers.
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May inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or detail work required to achieve roadworthiness.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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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, Motor Mechanics, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 94% of people employed as Diesel Motor Mechanics work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 28 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 46 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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Diesel Motor Mechanics work 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 | Diesel Motor Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 25.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 59% of Diesel Motor Mechanics 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 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 Diesel Motor Mechanics is 32 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 1% of the workforce. This is 47 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 | Diesel Motor Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 8.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 18.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 28.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 13.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 5.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 32 | 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 certificate III in automotive diesel engine technology, automotive diesel fuel technology or another related field is usually needed to work as a Diesel Motor Mechanic. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair and Automotive Manufacturing Sector VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Diesel Motor Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 0.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 79.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 7.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 6.0 | 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 Motor Mechanics who are hardworking with a good work ethic, reliable and provide good customer service.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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54%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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50%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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46%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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46%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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46%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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34%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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80%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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57%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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55%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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54%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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48%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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48%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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47%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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44%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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43%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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43%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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43%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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42%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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35%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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34%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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32%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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30%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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22%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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20%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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20%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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50%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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46%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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46%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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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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45%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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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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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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75%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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72%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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67%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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67%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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67%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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66%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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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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59%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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59%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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58%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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58%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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58%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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57%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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51%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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50%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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50%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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49%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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44%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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40%
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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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71%
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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52%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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52%
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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50%
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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48%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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96%
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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96%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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91%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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90%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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89%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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89%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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88%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
86%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
85%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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83%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
82%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
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82%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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81%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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78%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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77%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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77%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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72%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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72%
In an open vehicle or equipmentWork in an open vehicle (e.g., a tractor).
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, 49-3031.00 - Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists.
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.