Furniture Finishers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Furniture Finishers apply finishes, such as stain, lacquer, paint, oil and varnish, to furniture, and polish and wax finished furniture surfaces.
Specialisations: French Polisher.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Furniture Finisher. Although some workers have a certificate III in furniture finishing. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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Studies drawings, work orders and sample parts to determine specifications.
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Determines tool and machine requirements and sequence of operations.
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Sets up woodworking machines and wood stock for correct cutting, planning, turning, shaping and sanding.
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Operates machines to cut, plane, turn, shape and sand work pieces.
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Removes old finishes by stripping with steel wool and glasspaper, and by applying solvents and paint strippers, and removing softened finishes by scraping.
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Applies varnish, shellac, lacquer, stains and paint to surfaces and polishes and waxes finished surfaces.
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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Very 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, Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 83% of people employed as Furniture Finishers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 17 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 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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Most Furniture Finishers 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 | Furniture Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 12.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 76% of Furniture Finishers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
South Australia 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 Furniture Finishers is 43 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 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 | Furniture Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 10.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 43 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Furniture Finisher. Although some workers have a certificate III in furniture finishing. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Forest and Wood Products Industry and Furnishing Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Furniture Finishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.7 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 59.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 13.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 17.2 | 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 Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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39%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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37%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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36%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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34%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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27%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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24%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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22%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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22%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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19%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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19%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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14%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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13%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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12%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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11%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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9%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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6%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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6%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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5%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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5%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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5%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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4%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
2%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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2%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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52%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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50%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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46%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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45%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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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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41%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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41%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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41%
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%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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36%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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85%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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70%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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65%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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60%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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55%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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52%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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50%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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49%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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48%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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46%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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45%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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43%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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43%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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41%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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40%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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38%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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36%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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29%
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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14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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57%
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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48%
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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36%
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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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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33%
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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29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Demands
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98%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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97%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
95%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
94%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
93%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
90%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
88%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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83%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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83%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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81%
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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78%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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78%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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78%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
74%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
74%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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73%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
72%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
72%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
72%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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, 51-7021.00 - Furniture Finishers.
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.