Engineering Patternmakers
Overview
Snapshot
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
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Studies, drawings and specifications to determine dimensions and tolerances of articles to be manufactured and models to be constructed.
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Measures and marks out metal stock and castings using various gauges.
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Shapes metal and wood stock using machine tools.
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Checks accuracy of manufactured articles and finished patterns to fine tolerances, using precision measuring instruments.
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Tests and modifies manufactured articles.
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Applies protective finishes to patterns and paints pattern sections to indicate method of assembly.
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Assembles pattern sections and shapes work pieces to specified finish.
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Pours and spreads materials into moulds and over models of patterns, and builds laminations of fibreglass cloth and plastic resin to fabricate patterns.
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Repairs broken and damaged patterns and corrects patterns to compensate for defects in casting.
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Constructs templates for layout and inspection.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Creative
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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, Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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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
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Most Engineering Patternmakers 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 | 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 |
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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
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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)
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)
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.
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45%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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41%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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36%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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32%
Management of financial resourcesFiguring 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.
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68%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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61%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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59%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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58%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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51%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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46%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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41%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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40%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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35%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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32%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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30%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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28%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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23%
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%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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23%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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18%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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15%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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14%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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14%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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7%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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54%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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54%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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39%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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39%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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30%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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78%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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76%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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55%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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53%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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50%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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48%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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47%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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46%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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46%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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44%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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41%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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41%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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39%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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38%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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38%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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37%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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33%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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33%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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29%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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26%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, 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.
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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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62%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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57%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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57%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
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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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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71%
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%
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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48%
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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45%
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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38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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38%
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
-
98%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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95%
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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95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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93%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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92%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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91%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
84%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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84%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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83%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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83%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
75%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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73%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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73%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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72%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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72%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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71%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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68%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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65%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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64%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-7032.00 - Patternmakers, Wood.
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.