Small Engine Mechanics
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Small Engine Mechanics maintain, test and repair engines of chainsaws, lawn mowers, garden tractors and other equipment with small engines.
Specialisations: Chainsaw Mechanic, Lawnmower Mechanic, Outboard Motor Mechanic.
A certificate III in mobile plant technology, outdoor power equipment technology or marine mechanical technology is usually needed to work as a Small Engine Mechanic.
Tasks
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Detects and diagnoses faults in engines and parts.
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Dismantles and removes engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checks parts.
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Repairs and replaces worn and defective parts and reassembles mechanical components, and refers to service manuals as needed.
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Performs scheduled maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications and engine tune-ups to achieve smoother running of vehicles and ensure compliance with pollution regulations.
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Reassembles engines and parts after being repaired.
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
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, Motor Mechanics, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 82% of people employed as Small Engine Mechanics work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 16 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 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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Small Engine Mechanics work 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 | Small Engine Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 21.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 29.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 4.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 68% of Small Engine Mechanics 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 Small Engine Mechanics is 41 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 1% of the workforce. This is 47 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 | Small Engine Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 9.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 18.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 17.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 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 in mobile plant technology, outdoor power equipment technology or marine mechanical technology is usually needed to work as a Small Engine Mechanic.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Automotive Retail, Service and Repair and Automotive Manufacturing Sector VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Small Engine Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 64.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 8.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 16.9 | 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 Motor Mechanics who are hardworking with a good work ethic, reliable and provide good customer service.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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52%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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52%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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48%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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48%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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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%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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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%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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76%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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52%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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50%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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49%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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49%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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45%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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45%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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44%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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41%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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41%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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40%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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38%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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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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36%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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35%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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33%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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31%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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27%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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24%
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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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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48%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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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%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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39%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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39%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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81%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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77%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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70%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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68%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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67%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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62%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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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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57%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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54%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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53%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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51%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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49%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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44%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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44%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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42%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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40%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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39%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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37%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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36%
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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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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43%
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%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
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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67%
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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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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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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48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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48%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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38%
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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94%
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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90%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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89%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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86%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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86%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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85%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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84%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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83%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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83%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
80%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
79%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
77%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
76%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
75%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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74%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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70%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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66%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
65%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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63%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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, 49-3053.00 - Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics.
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.