Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics set up, adjust and maintain industrial or domestic sewing machines, or machines used in the production of yarn, textiles or footwear.
Specialisations: Loom Tuner, Sewing Machine Mechanic, Textile Machine Mechanic.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic. Although some workers have a certificate III in engineering (mechanical trade).
Tasks
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Sets guides, stops and other controls on machining tools, sets up and sets controls for textile machines.
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Diagnoses faults and performs operational maintenance of machines, and overhauls and repairs.
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May erect machines and equipment on-site.
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, Metal Fitters and Machinists, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 71% of people employed as Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 5 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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Textile, Clothing and Footwear 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 | Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 24.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 41.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 5.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.1 | 1.9 |
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Around 46% of Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
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 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics is 55 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 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 | Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 1.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 8.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 11.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 20.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 13.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 16.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 55 | 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 Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic. Although some workers have a certificate III in engineering (mechanical trade).
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Manufacturing and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 57.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 8.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 19.8 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Metal Fitters and Machinists who are reliable, flexible, adaptable and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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36%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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36%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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36%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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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%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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32%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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32%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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32%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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29%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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27%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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27%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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25%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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23%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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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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37%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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36%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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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%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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31%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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28%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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24%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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22%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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20%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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19%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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19%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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18%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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17%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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13%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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12%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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12%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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9%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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9%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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8%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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8%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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52%
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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45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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45%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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45%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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41%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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41%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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41%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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41%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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39%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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39%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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38%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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36%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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36%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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76%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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52%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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52%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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51%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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50%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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49%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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48%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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42%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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38%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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38%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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36%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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35%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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30%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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29%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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28%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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26%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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25%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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24%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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24%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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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71%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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38%
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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33%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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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52%
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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36%
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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29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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24%
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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24%
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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96%
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%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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95%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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91%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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87%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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86%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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86%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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83%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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79%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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73%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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71%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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65%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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64%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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63%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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59%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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59%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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58%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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58%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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57%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
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, 51-6063.00 - Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
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.