Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture paper packaging and other paper products, fibreboard stock, logs, plywood, particle board, solid laminate and similar timber products.
Tasks
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setting up printing plates, ink circulation systems, knives, creases, cutting dies, and folding and gluing machines
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loading machines with paper and fibreboard
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operating machines to form cardboard containers, paper plates, egg cartons, tissue paper and other paper products
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adjusting and cleaning machines and performing minor repairs
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securing timber into place and setting saws to produce specified sizes of plank and board to be cut
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starting machines and feeding stock onto cutting saw, and operating automatic feed mechanisms
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raising and lowering saws to trim boards and remove defects such as rot and splits
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controlling lathes and slicing machines to produce veneers, and laminating veneer using glue
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verifying dimensions of cut stock and accuracy of cuts
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checking saws and other machines for safety, sharpness and correct functioning
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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Administrative
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Light
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Medium
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 5,500 |
2012 | 7,600 |
2013 | 7,700 |
2014 | 4,200 |
2015 | 3,500 |
2016 | 7,200 |
2017 | 11,300 |
2018 | 6,300 |
2019 | 6,100 |
2020 | 7,100 |
2021 | 5,600 |
2026 | 5,700 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 89% of people employed as Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 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.
More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median hourly earnings are $32, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 29.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 5.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 64% of Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania have a large share of employment relative to their 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 Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators 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 6% of the workforce. This is 42 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 | Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 20.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.2 | 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 usually required to work as a Paper or Wood Processing Machine Operator.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Pulp & Paper Manufacturing Industry and Forest and Wood Products Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 24.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 21.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 9.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 37.4 | 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 Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators who are hardworking, have good people skills and are reliable.
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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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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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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37%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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36%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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30%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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30%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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56%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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56%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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43%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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40%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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37%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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34%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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34%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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30%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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28%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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22%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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21%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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18%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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17%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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16%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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15%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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14%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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14%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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11%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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10%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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48%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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41%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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39%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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38%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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38%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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38%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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32%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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84%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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75%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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58%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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56%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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56%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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55%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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54%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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54%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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53%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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52%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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51%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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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%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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46%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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44%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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42%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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41%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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39%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or 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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95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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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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43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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33%
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%
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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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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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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38%
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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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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29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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29%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
97%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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97%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
96%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
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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89%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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87%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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84%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
81%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
81%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
78%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
78%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
73%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
72%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
70%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
70%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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69%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
68%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
67%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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, 51-9196.00 - Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.