Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General)
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) install, modify, maintain and repair electronic instruments and control systems.
Also known as: Instrument and Control Service Person.
Specialisations: Communication Electronic Technician (Air Force), Electronic Technician (Navy).
A certificate III or IV in instrumentation and control or similar is usually needed to work as an Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General).
Tasks
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Examines and tests machines, equipment, instruments and control systems to diagnose faults.
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Adjusts, repairs, replaces worn and defective parts and wiring, and maintains machines, equipment and instruments, advises users of correct operating procedures to prevent malfunction.
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Installs electronic instruments and control systems.
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Applies knowledge of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic principles in commissioning and maintaining control systems.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Electronics Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 94% of people employed as Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 28 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more 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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Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) work in industries like:
- Public administration and safety
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Professional, scientific and technical services.
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 | Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 18.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 13.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 23.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 5.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 61% of Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia and the Northern Territory have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
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 Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) is 33 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 6% of the workforce. This is 42 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 | Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.6 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 15.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 36.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 15.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 4.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 33 | 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 or IV in instrumentation and control or similar is usually needed to work as an Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General).
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Electrotechnology VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Electronic Instrument Trades Workers (General) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 5.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 18.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 64.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 8.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.1 | 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 Electronics 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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57%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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57%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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55%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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55%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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54%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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50%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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48%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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48%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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48%
InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.
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46%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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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%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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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%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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41%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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75%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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75%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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70%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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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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61%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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59%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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57%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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56%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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55%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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50%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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46%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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45%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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45%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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43%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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41%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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35%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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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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27%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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26%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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23%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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55%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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55%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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55%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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55%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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52%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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52%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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52%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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50%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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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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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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82%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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71%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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68%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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68%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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65%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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64%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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63%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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63%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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63%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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61%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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60%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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60%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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59%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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57%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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57%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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57%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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56%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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54%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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53%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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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76%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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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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38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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33%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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62%
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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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.
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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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43%
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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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.
Demands
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99%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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93%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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91%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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91%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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88%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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86%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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85%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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85%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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85%
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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79%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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79%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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74%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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72%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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72%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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72%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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71%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
71%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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71%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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, 49-2094.00 - Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment.
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.