Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators operate mixing and grinding machines to prepare plastic powders and liquid blends, and recycle waste plastic materials from factory operations.
Specialisations: Pelletising Extruder Operator, Powder Hand (Plastics), Shredder/Granulator Operator.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operator. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in polymer processing.
Tasks
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Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation.
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Measures and loads materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms.
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Monitors operation, regulates material supply and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture.
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Examines output for defects and conformity to specifications.
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Performs minor repairs and maintains production records.
Characteristics
- 711511 Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operators
- 711512 Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators
- 711513 Plastics Fabricators and Welders
- 711514 Plastics Production Machine Operators (General)
- 711515 Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Workers
- 711516 Rubber Production Machine Operators
- 711599 Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators
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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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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, Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 93% of people employed as Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 27 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 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 Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
Worker profile
Age and gender
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This data has been supressed due to the low numbers employed at the time of the ABS, 2016 Census.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
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Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operator. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in polymer processing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking VET training pathways.
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 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators who are hardworking, can work well with others and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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50%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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48%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are 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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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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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%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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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 selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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36%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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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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29%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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60%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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42%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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41%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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37%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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29%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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28%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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28%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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27%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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27%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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23%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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22%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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19%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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17%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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13%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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12%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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12%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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9%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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9%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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8%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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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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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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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%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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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%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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75%
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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60%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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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%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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58%
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%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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55%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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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%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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52%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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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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49%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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49%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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47%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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42%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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40%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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35%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
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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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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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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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
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100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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95%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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93%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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92%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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89%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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87%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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86%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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83%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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80%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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80%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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80%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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77%
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%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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76%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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74%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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72%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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70%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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69%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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69%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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, 51-4021.00 - Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
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.