Engineering Technologists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Engineering Technologists analyse and modify new and existing engineering technologies and apply them in the testing and implementation of engineering projects.
Specialisations: Aeronautical Engineering Technologist, Agricultural Engineering Technologist, Biomedical Engineering Technologist, Chemical Engineering Technologist, Industrial Engineering Technologist, Mining Engineering Technologist.
A bachelor degree in a relevant engineering discipline is usually needed to work as an Engineering Technologist. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
Tasks
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Analyses existing technology.
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Makes recommendations on how to improve existing technologies.
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Runs technology through testing procedures and notes findings.
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Prepares drawings of new technologies.
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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Administrative
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Sedentary
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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 Engineering Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 90% of people employed as Engineering Technologists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 24 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Engineering Technologists 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 | Engineering Technologists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 22.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 19.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 33.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 4.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 77% of Engineering Technologists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its 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 Engineering Technologists is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 7% of the workforce. This is 41 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 | Engineering Technologists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 30.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 17.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 16.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 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 bachelor degree in a relevant engineering discipline is usually needed to work as an Engineering Technologist. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
Registration may be required in some states and territories. In addition, Engineers Australia has a non-compulsory National Engineering Register.
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 Aeroskills Industry and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Engineering Technologists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 20.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 43.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 27.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 8.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 0.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 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 Other Engineering Professionals who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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59%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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57%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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54%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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52%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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52%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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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%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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52%
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%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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48%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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48%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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48%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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48%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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46%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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46%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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46%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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71%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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69%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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69%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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64%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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61%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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60%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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57%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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55%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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53%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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53%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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48%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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46%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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43%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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43%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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39%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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39%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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38%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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37%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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34%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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30%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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64%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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61%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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61%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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59%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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57%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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55%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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54%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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54%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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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%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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52%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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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%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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48%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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48%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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73%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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72%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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68%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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67%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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65%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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62%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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60%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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60%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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59%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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59%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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58%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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58%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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58%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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57%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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54%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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54%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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51%
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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47%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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47%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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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86%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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76%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually 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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38%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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29%
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%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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67%
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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67%
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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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%
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%
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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99%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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97%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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95%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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93%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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90%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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85%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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85%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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81%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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79%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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79%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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78%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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77%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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77%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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76%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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72%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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72%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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71%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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69%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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, 17-3029.05 - Industrial Engineering Technologists.
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.