Engineering Patternmakers

ANZSCO ID 323411

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
270
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
78%
Female Share
22%
Average age
50

Summary

Engineering Patternmakers construct full-size engineering models usually made out of timber, which are used in manufacturing to produce metal castings, copy models, vacuum form tooling and tooling for the automotive, aircraft or fibreglass industries.

Tasks

  • Studies, drawings and specifications to determine dimensions and tolerances of articles to be manufactured and models to be constructed.

  • Measures and marks out metal stock and castings using various gauges.

  • Shapes metal and wood stock using machine tools.

  • Checks accuracy of manufactured articles and finished patterns to fine tolerances, using precision measuring instruments.

  • Tests and modifies manufactured articles.

  • Applies protective finishes to patterns and paints pattern sections to indicate method of assembly.

  • Assembles pattern sections and shapes work pieces to specified finish.

  • Pours and spreads materials into moulds and over models of patterns, and builds laminations of fibreglass cloth and plastic resin to fabricate patterns.

  • Repairs broken and damaged patterns and corrects patterns to compensate for defects in casting.

  • Constructs templates for layout and inspection.

Characteristics

Job Type
Technicians And Trades Workers
Skill Level
Medium skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Creative
  • Administrative
Physical Demand
  • Medium

Outlook

Employment 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, Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 78% of people employed as Engineering Patternmakers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 43 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

1
Manufacturing
82.4%
2
Retail Trade
3.7%
3
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
2.9%
4
Construction
1.8%
5
Other industries
4.8%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

22.6% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

38.0% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

26.3% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.8% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

5.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.1% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.0% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Engineering Patternmakers All Jobs Average
NSW 22.6 31.6
VIC 38.0 25.6
QLD 26.3 20.0
SA 6.8 7.0
WA 5.3 10.8
TAS 1.1 2.0
NT 0.0 1.0
ACT 0.0 1.9


  • Around 63% of Engineering Patternmakers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.

    Victoria and Queensland 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

Age In Years
50
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
22%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Engineering Patternmakers is 50 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.

    Females make up 22% of the workforce. This is 26 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Engineering Patternmakers All Jobs Average
15-19 1.1 5.0
20-24 4.3 9.3
25-34 11.5 22.9
35-44 15.4 22.0
45-54 29.4 21.6
55-59 16.5 9.0
60-64 13.6 6.0
65 and Over 8.2 4.2
Median Age 50 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

A certificate III or IV in engineering - fabrication trade is usually needed to work as an Engineering Patternmaker.

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)

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.
Type of Qualification Engineering Patternmakers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.0 10.1
Bachelor degree 7.6 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 12.4 11.6
Certificate III/IV 72.0 21.1
Year 12 5.2 18.1
Year 11 0.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 2.8 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 Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 45%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 45%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 45%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 43%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 43%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 43%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 43%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 41%

    Operations analysis

    Understanding needs and product requirements to create a design.

  • 41%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 39%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 37%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 37%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 36%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 36%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 36%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 34%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 34%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 32%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 32%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 32%

    Management of financial resources

    Figuring out how money is needed to do something, and keeping track of the money that's being spent.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 68%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 61%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 59%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 58%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 51%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 46%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 41%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 40%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 35%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 32%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 30%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 28%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 23%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 23%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 23%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 18%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 15%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 14%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 14%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 7%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 59%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 55%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 54%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 54%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 54%

    Reaction time

    Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.

  • 52%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 50%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 50%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 48%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 45%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 43%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 41%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 41%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 41%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 39%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 39%

    Depth perception

    Decide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.

  • 39%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 30%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 78%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 76%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 55%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 53%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

    Detailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

  • 50%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 48%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 47%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 46%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 46%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 44%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 41%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 41%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 39%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 38%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 38%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 37%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 33%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 33%

    Working with computers

    Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

  • 29%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use information.

  • 26%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.


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.

  • 100%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 62%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 57%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 57%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 19%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 14%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 71%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 52%

    Relationships

    Serve 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.

  • 48%

    Independence

    Work 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.

  • 45%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 38%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 38%

    Recognition

    Advancement 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

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 98%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 95%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 95%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 93%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 92%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 91%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 84%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 84%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 83%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 83%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 81%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 75%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

    Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.

  • 73%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 73%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 72%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 72%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 71%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

  • 68%

    Walking and running

    Spend time walking and running.

  • 65%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 64%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

Occupational Information Network
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, 51-7032.00 - Patternmakers, Wood.


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