Apparel Cutters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Apparel Cutters lay out, mark and cut fabric to form parts of garments.
Tasks
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Confers with customers to determine material, styles and designs of garments.
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Interprets designs, sketches and samples to determine pattern specifications.
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Cuts out master patterns.
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Lays up and cuts fabric.
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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Light
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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, Clothing Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 63% of people employed as Apparel Cutters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is similar to the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 40 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours less than 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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Most Apparel Cutters work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed 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 | Apparel Cutters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 39.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 81% of Apparel Cutters live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their 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 Apparel Cutters is 53 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 35% of the workforce. This is 13 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 | Apparel Cutters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 8.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 12.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 18.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 14.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 13.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 53 | 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 an Apparel Cutter. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in garment making.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Textiles, Clothing & Footwear VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Apparel Cutters | All Jobs Average |
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Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 7.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 24.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 21.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.1 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 37.3 | 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 Clothing Trades Workers who are hardworking, reliable and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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48%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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46%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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46%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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45%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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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%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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43%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
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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63%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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57%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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57%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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52%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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50%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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45%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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43%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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43%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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41%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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40%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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26%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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25%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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23%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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22%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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21%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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18%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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18%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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15%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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14%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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61%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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54%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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54%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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54%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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52%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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52%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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50%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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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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46%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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43%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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43%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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65%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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63%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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63%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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62%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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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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58%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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58%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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50%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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47%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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47%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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47%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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46%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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46%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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45%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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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%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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41%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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39%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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29%
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%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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57%
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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57%
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%
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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52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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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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96%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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94%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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90%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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85%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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85%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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84%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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84%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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81%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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81%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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79%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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76%
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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73%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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73%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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70%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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69%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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66%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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65%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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63%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at 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, 51-6092.00 - Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers.
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.