Footwear Factory Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Footwear Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing footwear, such as basic hand cutting of shoe components, delivering materials to machines, and inspecting and finishing completed footwear.
Tasks
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Selects pattern and cuts material and shoe parts by machine.
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Constructs components by machine and assembles footwear by sewing parts together.
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Cleans and inspects shoes.
Characteristics
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- 839915 Footwear Factory Workers
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- 839918 Recycling Workers
- 839999 Factory Process Workers (not covered elsewhere)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Light
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Medium
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 Factory Process Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 79% of people employed as Footwear Factory Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 13 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than 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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Most Footwear Factory Workers work in the Manufacturing 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 | Footwear Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 34.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 19.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 3.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 32.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 3.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 5.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 87% of Footwear Factory Workers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Adelaide - 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 Footwear Factory Workers is 44 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 45% of the workforce. This is 3 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 | Footwear Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 12.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 27.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 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 Footwear Factory Worker.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Footwear Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 0.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 0.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 10.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 37.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 50.0 | 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 Factory Process Workers who are reliable, can work independently and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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37%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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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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32%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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27%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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27%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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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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23%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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23%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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56%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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48%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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45%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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38%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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35%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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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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34%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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26%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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26%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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25%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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22%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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21%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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21%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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21%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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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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19%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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19%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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15%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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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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14%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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46%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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39%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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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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38%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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38%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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38%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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38%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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38%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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34%
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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80%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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72%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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57%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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52%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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51%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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49%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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48%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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48%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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47%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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46%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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46%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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45%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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45%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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44%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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44%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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44%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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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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37%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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34%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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32%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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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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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.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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38%
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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33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
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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29%
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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26%
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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97%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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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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85%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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84%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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81%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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77%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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75%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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74%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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70%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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70%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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69%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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68%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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66%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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65%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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65%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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64%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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62%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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60%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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60%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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58%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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, 51-6042.00 - Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders.
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.