Rubber Factory Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Rubber Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing tyres and other rubber products.
Also known as: Rubber Process Hand.
Specialisations: Latex Foam Worker.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Rubber Factory Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in polymer processing.
Tasks
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Adjusts steam and water valves to regulate heat of machine, depending on process to be carried out.
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Inserts die or mould to machine or press where required.
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Loads or feeds raw rubber or rubber compounds to machine, before or after starting machine.
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Adjusts machine controls or processes where necessary to ensure correct thickness of product or speed of extrusion.
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Removes finished product from machine by hand or with hand tools.
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Washes crude rubber, applies chemicals where required and operates special types of machines or presses.
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, Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 81% of people employed as Rubber Factory Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 15 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 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 Rubber Factory Workers 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 | Rubber Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 29.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 10.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 68% of Rubber Factory Workers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria and South Australia 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 Rubber Factory Workers is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 8% of the workforce. This is 40 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 | Rubber Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 19.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 17.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 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 Rubber Factory Worker. 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.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Rubber Factory Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 0.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 16.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 23.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 48.1 | 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 Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers who work well in a team, can communicate clearly and are reliable.
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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46%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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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%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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30%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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27%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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27%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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27%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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25%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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25%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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25%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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23%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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61%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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51%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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47%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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44%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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39%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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37%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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35%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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30%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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29%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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26%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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26%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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25%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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16%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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15%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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12%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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12%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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11%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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8%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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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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52%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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52%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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50%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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48%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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48%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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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%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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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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38%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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36%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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93%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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86%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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75%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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74%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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65%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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62%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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62%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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57%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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55%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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50%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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46%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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43%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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42%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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42%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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35%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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32%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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27%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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21%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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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62%
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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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%
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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67%
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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48%
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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45%
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%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
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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99%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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99%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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98%
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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97%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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95%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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95%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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93%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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91%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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89%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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88%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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88%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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87%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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86%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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83%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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76%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
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75%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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73%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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72%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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, 51-9197.00 - Tire Builders.
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.