Metal Machinists (First Class)
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Metal Machinists (First Class) set up and operate machine tools to shape and form metal stock and castings to fine tolerances, using detailed drawings and specifications.
Specialisations: Aircraft Machinist, Automotive Machinist, Metal Machine Setter, Metal Turner, Milling Machinist, Vertical Borer.
A certificate III in engineering - mechanical trade is usually needed to work as a Metal Machinist (First Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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Studying drawings and specifications to determine suitable material, method and sequence of operations, and machine settings.
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Fitting fabricated metal parts into products and assembling metal parts and subassemblies to produce machines and equipment.
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Checking fabricated and assembled metal parts for accuracy, clearance and fit using precision measuring instruments.
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Setting guides, stops and other controls on machining tools, setting up prescribed cutting and shaping tools and dies in machines and presses.
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Forming metal stock and castings to fine tolerances using machining tools to press, cut, grind, plane, bore and drill metal.
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Cutting, threading, bending and installing hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines.
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Diagnosing faults and performing operational maintenance of machines, and overhauling and repairing mechanical parts and fluid power equipment.
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May erect machines and equipment on-site.
Characteristics
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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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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, Metal Fitters and Machinists, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 92% of people employed as Metal Machinists (First Class) work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 26 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 Metal Machinists (First Class) 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 | Metal Machinists (First Class) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 23.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 22.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.1 | 1.9 |
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Around 41% of Metal Machinists (First Class) live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Western Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Metal Machinists (First Class) is 45 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 1% of the workforce. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Metal Machinists (First Class) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 16.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 5.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 45 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A certificate III in engineering - mechanical trade is usually needed to work as a Metal Machinist (First Class). 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 Manufacturing and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Metal Machinists (First Class) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 9.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 68.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 6.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 7.7 | 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 Metal Fitters and Machinists who are reliable, flexible, adaptable and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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46%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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46%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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37%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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37%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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68%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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63%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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52%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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50%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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49%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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46%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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37%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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29%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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28%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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27%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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26%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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26%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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23%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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22%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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21%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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20%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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18%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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17%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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13%
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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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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52%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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48%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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48%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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48%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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74%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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74%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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57%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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57%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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56%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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54%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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51%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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51%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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49%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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49%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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46%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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45%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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43%
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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42%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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41%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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37%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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76%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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67%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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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%
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%
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%
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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48%
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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38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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38%
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%
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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97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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93%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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90%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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90%
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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86%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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85%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
80%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
79%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
78%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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74%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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73%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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71%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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69%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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67%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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66%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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66%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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65%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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, 51-4041.00 - Machinists.
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.