Stone Processing Machine Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Stone Processing Machine Operators operate machines to cut and finish stones for tiles, building blocks and facings.
Specialisations: Marble Cutter, Stone Polisher, Stone Sawyer.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Stone Processing Machine Operator. Some workers have a certificate II in manufactured mineral products.
Tasks
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Collects and examines samples for conformity to specifications and adjusts machine settings accordingly.
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Sets grinds and cuts edges.
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Uses hand tools to cut, inscribe and polish roughly hewn stone to finished condition.
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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Creative
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Medium
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Heavy
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Very 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, Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 87% of people employed as Stone Processing Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 21 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
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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Stone Processing Machine Operators 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 | Stone Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 34.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 63% of Stone Processing Machine Operators live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its 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 Stone Processing Machine Operators is 37 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 3% of the workforce. This is 45 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 | Stone Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 30.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 37 | 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 usually required to work as a Stone Processing Machine Operator. Some workers have a certificate II in manufactured mineral products.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Manufactured Mineral Products VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Stone Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 28.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 31.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 29.9 | 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 Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators who are reliable, hardworking and can interact well with others.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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34%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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34%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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34%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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32%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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32%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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32%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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25%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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23%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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23%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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50%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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50%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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47%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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44%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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41%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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40%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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39%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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35%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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34%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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34%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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33%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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32%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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32%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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27%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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25%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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23%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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21%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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21%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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19%
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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57%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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54%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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52%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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52%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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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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41%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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39%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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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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90%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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74%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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66%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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63%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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59%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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58%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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57%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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56%
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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54%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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54%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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52%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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48%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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45%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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44%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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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86%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
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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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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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48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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40%
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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38%
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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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.
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29%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
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95%
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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95%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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95%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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90%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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89%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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87%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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87%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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78%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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77%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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75%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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72%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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70%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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69%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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68%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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68%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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67%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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67%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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67%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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, 51-9195.03 - Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing.
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.