Other Packers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Packers includes jobs like Biscuit Packer, Bread Packer, Cheese Packer, and Egg Packer.
Tasks
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Obtains supplies of product and assembles bags, package folders and cartons.
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Packs containers and bags with products, and counts, weighs and measures amounts and adjusts quantities.
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Wraps protective material around products, seals bags and containers, and attaches pre-printed labels.
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Counts and places bags and packages onto trays and racks, and into shipping cartons.
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Records information such as numbers, weight, times and dates.
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Monitors the filling of containers and adjusts machines to maintain volume and seal quality.
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Monitors the supply and quality of containers and contents of holding tanks.
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Checks the cleanliness and operation of machines, equipment and containers.
Characteristics
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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, Packers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 52% of people employed as Other Packers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 percentage points below 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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Other Packers work in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Other Packers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 67% of Other Packers 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
- Sydney - South West
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Melbourne - Outer 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 Other Packers is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 60% of the workforce. This is 12 percentage points above 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 | Other Packers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 7.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 19.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 23.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 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 an Other Packer.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Food Processing VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Packers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 8.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 11.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 30.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 32.0 | 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 Packers who are reliable, hardworking and can work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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32%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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32%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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30%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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29%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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29%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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29%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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27%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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27%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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27%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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25%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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25%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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23%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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21%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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20%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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18%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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18%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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18%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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16%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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14%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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47%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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40%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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36%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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33%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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31%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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31%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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28%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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27%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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26%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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23%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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20%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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20%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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17%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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17%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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14%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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13%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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12%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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8%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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50%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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41%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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39%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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37%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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36%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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36%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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34%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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34%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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34%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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32%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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32%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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32%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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30%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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30%
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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77%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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71%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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69%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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65%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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62%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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58%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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55%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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54%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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53%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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53%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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52%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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52%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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52%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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51%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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51%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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51%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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50%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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48%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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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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42%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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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95%
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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29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
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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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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43%
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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29%
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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24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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24%
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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19%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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98%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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90%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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86%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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83%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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82%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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81%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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78%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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78%
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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76%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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71%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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71%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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70%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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67%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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66%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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64%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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64%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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64%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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64%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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62%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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61%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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, 53-7064.00 - Packers and Packagers, Hand.
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.