Ship's Masters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Ship's Masters control and manage the operation of ships or boats.
Specialisations: Dredge Master, Ship's Pilot, Tug Master.
A certificate III or IV in maritime operations (coxswain or master) is usually needed to work as a Ship's Master. Some workers have a diploma or advanced diploma.
Tasks
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Ensures compliance with regulations pertaining to safety at sea and protection of the marine environment.
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Directs the activities of the deck crew for navigational support tasks, berthing and unberthing, maintenance, cleaning and painting of superstructures, and the repair and replacement of defective deck gear and equipment.
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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Analytical
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Light
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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, Marine Transport Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 80% of people employed as Ship's Masters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 54 hours per week in their main job. This is 10 hours more 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 Ship's Masters 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 | Ship's Masters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 23.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 7.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 37.0 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 18.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 4.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 3.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.1 | 1.9 |
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Around 63% of Ship's Masters live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland and Western Australia have a large share of employment relative to their 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 Ship's Masters is 48 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 4% of the workforce. This is 44 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 | Ship's Masters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 14.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 6.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 48 | 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
A certificate III or IV in maritime operations (coxswain or master) is usually needed to work as a Ship's Master. Some workers have a diploma or advanced diploma.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Maritime VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Ship's Masters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 3.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 9.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 32.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 32.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 9.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 10.3 | 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 Marine Transport Professionals who work well in a team, can communicate clearly with a diverse range of people and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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68%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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59%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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55%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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54%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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54%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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54%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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52%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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48%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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48%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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48%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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46%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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45%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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45%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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41%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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76%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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62%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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58%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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58%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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56%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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54%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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52%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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50%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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49%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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48%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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46%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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38%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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38%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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37%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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34%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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33%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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32%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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29%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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22%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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82%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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64%
Spatial orientationKnow where things are around you.
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64%
Glare sensitivitySee things in glare or bright lighting.
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61%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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59%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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57%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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57%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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55%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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54%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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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%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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48%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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79%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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76%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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73%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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72%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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71%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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65%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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63%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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61%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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60%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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59%
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%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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56%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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55%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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51%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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49%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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47%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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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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44%
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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62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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62%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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62%
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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29%
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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81%
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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76%
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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71%
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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62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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62%
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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60%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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99%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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99%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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98%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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96%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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94%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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94%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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93%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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90%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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90%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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90%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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88%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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88%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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85%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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85%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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85%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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84%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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83%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
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83%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
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82%
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, 53-5021.03 - Pilots, Ship.
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.