Industrial Engineers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Industrial Engineers investigate and review the utilisation of personnel, facilities, equipment and materials, current operational processes and established practices, to recommend improvement in the efficiency of operations in a variety of commercial, industrial and production environments.
Specialisations: Process Engineer (Industrial).
A bachelor degree in engineering majoring in mechanical engineering or a related field is needed to work as an Industrial Engineer. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
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Studies functional statements, organisational charts and project information to determine functions and responsibilities of workers and work units and to identify areas of duplication.
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Establishes work measurement programmes and analyses work samples to develop standards for labour utilisation.
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Analyses workforce utilisation, facility layout, operational data and production schedules and costs to determine optimum worker and equipment efficiencies.
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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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, Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 91% of people employed as Industrial Engineers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 25 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
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 Industrial Engineers 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 | Industrial Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 39.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 11.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 79% of Industrial Engineers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - Inner
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Melbourne - Inner East.
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 Industrial Engineers is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 14% of the workforce. This is 34 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 | Industrial Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 5.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 27.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 29.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.1 | 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 engineering majoring in mechanical engineering or a related field is needed to work as an Industrial Engineer. Some workers have a postgraduate 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.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Industrial Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 22.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 50.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 11.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 10.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 4.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.8 | 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 Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 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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64%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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59%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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59%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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57%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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57%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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54%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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52%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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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%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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52%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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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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52%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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48%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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48%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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45%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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43%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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73%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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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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70%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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68%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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67%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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63%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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57%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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55%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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55%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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55%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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48%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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47%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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46%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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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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32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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31%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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31%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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30%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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28%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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27%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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63%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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63%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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61%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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61%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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55%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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52%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula 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%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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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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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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76%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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74%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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72%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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72%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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72%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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70%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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69%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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68%
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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68%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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67%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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67%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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65%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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60%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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59%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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58%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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56%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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55%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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53%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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52%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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51%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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67%
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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62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
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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81%
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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76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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76%
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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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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52%
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.
Demands
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98%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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98%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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96%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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86%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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85%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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85%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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84%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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83%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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79%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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79%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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79%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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78%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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72%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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70%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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69%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
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67%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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66%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at 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, 17-2112.00 - Industrial Engineers.
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.