Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers make, repair, clean and adjust watches and clocks.
Tasks
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Assembles parts and sub-assemblies of precision instruments and timepieces.
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Dismantles precision instruments, timepieces, repairs and replaces defective parts, and reassembles articles using hand and power tools and specially designed machines.
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Tests circuits in electronic timepieces.
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May estimate costs and prepare quotes for repairs.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Light
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, Precision Metal Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 73% of people employed as Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 7 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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Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers 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 | Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 38.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 71% of Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales 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 Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers is 54 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 65 years and over.
Females make up 11% of the workforce. This is 37 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 | Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 4.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 11.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 17.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 14.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 15.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 18.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 54 | 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 watch and clock service and repair is usually needed to work as a Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer.
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 | Watch and Clock Makers and Repairers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 65.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 13.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 5.4 | 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 Precision Metal Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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45%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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39%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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36%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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32%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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30%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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27%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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77%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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49%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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49%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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40%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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40%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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38%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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38%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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35%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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35%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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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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33%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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31%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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30%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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30%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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27%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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26%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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24%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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18%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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11%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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10%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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70%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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64%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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61%
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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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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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%
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%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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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%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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37%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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37%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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36%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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36%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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32%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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32%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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71%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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69%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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68%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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68%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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66%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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60%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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48%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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48%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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48%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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46%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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46%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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46%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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43%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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42%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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41%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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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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36%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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35%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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57%
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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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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52%
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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43%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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43%
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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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.
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43%
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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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.
Demands
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99%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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98%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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97%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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93%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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93%
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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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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89%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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85%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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85%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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81%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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73%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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71%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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65%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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63%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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62%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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59%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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58%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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57%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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56%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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53%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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, 49-9064.00 - Watch Repairers.
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.