Printer's Assistants
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Printers' Assistants perform routine tasks in the production of printed materials.
Tasks
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Assisting with setting up, operating and adjusting machines.
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Maintaining and lubricating printing machines.
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Clearing waste and cleaning work areas and machines.
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Folding, collating and fastening printed products by machine and hand.
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Performing hand binding and finishing operations.
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Operating specialised machines such as casing-in and mini binders, and automatic carton folding and gluing machines.
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Carrying out routine quality control.
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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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, Printing Assistants and Table Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 65% of people employed as Printer's Assistants work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to 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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Most Printer's Assistants 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 | Printer's Assistants | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 34.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 77% of Printer's Assistants 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
- Sydney - South West
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Sydney - Parramatta
- Melbourne - West.
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 Printer's Assistants is 44 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 39% of the workforce. This is 9 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 | Printer's Assistants | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 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 essential to work as a Printer's Assistant. Although some workers have a certificate III in printing, graphic arts or another related field.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Printing & Graphic Arts VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Printer's Assistants | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 8.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 17.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 27.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.9 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 28.7 | 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 Printing Assistants and Table Workers who are reliable and work well as part of a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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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%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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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%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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41%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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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%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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37%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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36%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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49%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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43%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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34%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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33%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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33%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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32%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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32%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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24%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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24%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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23%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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20%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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18%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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14%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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12%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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10%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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10%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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8%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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7%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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4%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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52%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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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%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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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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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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73%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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72%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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59%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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58%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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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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56%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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55%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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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%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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51%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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50%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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49%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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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%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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46%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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45%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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44%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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41%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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31%
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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90%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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71%
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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24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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57%
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%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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43%
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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43%
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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43%
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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33%
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%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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96%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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94%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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90%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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89%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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89%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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88%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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88%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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86%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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84%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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82%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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82%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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82%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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77%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
75%
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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74%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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73%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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72%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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, 51-5112.00 - Printing Press Operators.
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.