Vocational Education Teachers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Vocational Education Teachers teach one or more subjects within a prescribed course of study at technical and further education (TAFE) institutes, polytechnics and other training institutes to tertiary students for vocational education and training purposes.
Specialisations: Adult Education Teacher, TAFE Lecturer, TAFE Teacher, Workplace Trainer and Assessor.
A Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is needed to work as a Vocational Education Teacher, a relevant qualification and extensive practical or industry experience is usually needed as well.
Tasks
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identifying the various needs of students and creating effective learning options to meet these needs
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liaising with individuals, industry and education sectors to ensure provision of relevant programs and services
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planning, designing and developing course curriculum and method of instruction
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advising students on courses and related matters
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teaching students using teaching aids including presentation of lesson materials, discussions, workshops, laboratory sessions, multimedia aids and computer tutorials
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marking and grading students' assignments, papers and exams and providing feedback to students about their progress
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maintaining records of students' progress, attendance and training activities
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consulting with Education Managers, Librarians, Student Counsellors and other support staff
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow strongly
- is likely to reach 40,600 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 36,300 |
2012 | 35,200 |
2013 | 40,600 |
2014 | 33,000 |
2015 | 30,300 |
2016 | 26,100 |
2017 | 37,400 |
2018 | 32,000 |
2019 | 28,500 |
2020 | 35,400 |
2021 | 37,300 |
2026 | 40,600 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 58% of people employed as Vocational Education Teachers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 8 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,780 per week, this is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,534
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,930
Median hourly earnings are $47, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Vocational Education Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,780 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Vocational Education Teachers work in the Education and training industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Vocational Education Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 60% of Vocational Education Teachers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
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 Vocational Education Teachers is 50 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 51% of the workforce. This is 3 percentage points above 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 | Vocational Education Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 1.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 11.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 30.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 16.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 11.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 7.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 50 | 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 IV in Training and Assessment is needed to work as a Vocational Education Teacher, a relevant qualification and extensive practical or industry experience is usually needed as well.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Training and Education VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Vocational Education Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 24.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 26.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 24.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 19.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 3.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.3 | 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 Vocational Education Teachers who are trustworthy and responsible, motivated and have good interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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61%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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61%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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59%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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57%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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55%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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55%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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54%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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46%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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46%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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45%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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37%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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36%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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34%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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81%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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65%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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63%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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52%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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48%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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44%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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44%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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39%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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38%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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37%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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37%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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37%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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37%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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36%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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36%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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30%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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24%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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23%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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23%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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19%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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71%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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63%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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59%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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59%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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59%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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55%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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48%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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36%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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36%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
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32%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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32%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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30%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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75%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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72%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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69%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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67%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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66%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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64%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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64%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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61%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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61%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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61%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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59%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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58%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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57%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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57%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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56%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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54%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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52%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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52%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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51%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
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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38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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38%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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33%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
Values
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71%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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71%
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
62%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
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.
Demands
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92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
86%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
86%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
86%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
83%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
83%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
82%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
77%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
76%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
76%
Public speakingTalk to a group of people.
-
75%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
74%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
71%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
70%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
69%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
69%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
-
67%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
65%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
64%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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, 25-1194.00 - Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary.
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.