Driving Instructors
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Driving Instructors instruct individuals and groups in the theory and application of driving motor vehicles.
Specialisations: Motorcycle Riding Instructor.
A certificate IV in car driving instruction is usually needed to work as a Driving Instructor.
Tasks
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instructing students under actual driving conditions, and explaining and demonstrating the operation of brakes, clutch, gear selection, automatic transmission, signals and lights
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teaching road traffic regulations
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teaching road craft and road safety
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advising students when they are ready to undergo driving examination
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may advise on and teach advanced driving techniques required for emergency situations
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may illustrate and explain handling and mechanical operation of motor vehicles and driving techniques using blackboard diagrams and audiovisual aids
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Creative
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Enterprising
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
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 7,700 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 | 4,300 |
2012 | 7,700 |
2013 | 6,500 |
2014 | 5,500 |
2015 | 4,200 |
2016 | 6,100 |
2017 | 9,600 |
2018 | 5,300 |
2019 | 5,300 |
2020 | 4,600 |
2021 | 7,100 |
2026 | 7,700 |
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 38% of people employed as Driving Instructors work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 28 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 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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Most Driving Instructors 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 | Driving Instructors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 64% of Driving Instructors live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - South East
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Perth - North West
- Sydney - South West.
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 Driving Instructors is 52 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 23% of the workforce. This is 25 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 | Driving Instructors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 0.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 8.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 33.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 16.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 13.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 9.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 52 | 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 car driving instruction is usually needed to work as a Driving Instructor.
Registration or licencing is required.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Driving Instructors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 11.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 14.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 45.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 11.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 8.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Driving Instructors who are professional, provide good customer service and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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50%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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50%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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48%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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48%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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46%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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46%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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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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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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39%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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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%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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32%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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30%
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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77%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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69%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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61%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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50%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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43%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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37%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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35%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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33%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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31%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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30%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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28%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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26%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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22%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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21%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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17%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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17%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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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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59%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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48%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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41%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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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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39%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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34%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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32%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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30%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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30%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
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29%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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68%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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66%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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65%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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63%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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60%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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60%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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53%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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53%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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53%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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51%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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51%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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47%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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45%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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45%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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44%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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42%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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38%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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57%
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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29%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Values
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86%
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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81%
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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67%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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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.
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57%
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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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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93%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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88%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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84%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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83%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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81%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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81%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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75%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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74%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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74%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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71%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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69%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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69%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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69%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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69%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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67%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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65%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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65%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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61%
Public speakingTalk to a group of people.
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59%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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, 25-3021.00 - Self-Enrichment Education Teachers.
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.