Railway Signal Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Railway Signal Operators control the movement of trains, and assemble and disassemble trains within a marshalling yard.
Also known as: Railway Switching and Signalling Operator.
Specialisations: Railway Shunter, Railway Yard Assistant.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Railway Signal Operator. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in mechanical or electrical rail signalling.
Tasks
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Directs trains within marshalling yards.
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Breaks apart and join train wagons and carriages.
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Places wagons, carriages and engines into sidings.
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Directs outgoing trains to the main line.
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May conduct safety checks.
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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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, Other Stationary Plant Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 89% of people employed as Railway Signal 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 46 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 Railway Signal Operators work in the Transport, postal and warehousing 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 | Railway Signal Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 27.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 54% of Railway Signal Operators live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Railway Signal Operators is 45 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 10% of the workforce. This is 38 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 | Railway Signal Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 27.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 45 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Railway Signal Operator. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in mechanical or electrical rail signalling.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Railway Signal Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 31.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 21.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.9 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 28.8 | 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 Stationary Plant Operators who communicate well with others, are polite, courteous and reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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46%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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46%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
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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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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30%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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61%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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52%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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50%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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47%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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47%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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38%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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37%
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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34%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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34%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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28%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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28%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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27%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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26%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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24%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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24%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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20%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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14%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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13%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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13%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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52%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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50%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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48%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
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%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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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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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
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43%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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41%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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38%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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82%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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75%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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74%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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74%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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68%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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66%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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59%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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58%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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58%
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%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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54%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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54%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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54%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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52%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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51%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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50%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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48%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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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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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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76%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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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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52%
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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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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38%
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%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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98%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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97%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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96%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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94%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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93%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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88%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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88%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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87%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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87%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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85%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
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85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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85%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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84%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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83%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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83%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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82%
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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79%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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77%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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, 53-4021.00 - Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch 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.