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Metal Engineering Process Workers

ANZSCO ID 8391

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Overview

Snapshot

Employed
9,000
Future Growth
10%
Weekly Earnings
$1,158
Full-Time Share
83%
Female Share
6%
Average age
41
About this data

Summary

Metal Engineering Process Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing metal products.

Specialisations: Boilermaker's Assistant, Fitter's Assistant, Metal Forger's Assistant, Metal Moulder's Assistant.

Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Metal Engineering Process Worker. Some workers have a certificate I or II in engineering or engineering production.

Tasks

  • positioning and holding tools and metal products

  • performing assembly and dismantling operations such as screwing and bolting

  • operating power hammers, presses and other metal cutting and shaping tools and machines

  • soldering and spot welding components using electrical spot and butt welding machines

  • transporting tools, materials and work pieces to and from sites and workbenches

  • cleaning and preparing working surfaces

Characteristics

Job Type
Labourers
Skill Level
Entry level
ANZSCO Occupation group
8391 Metal Engineering Process Workers This occupation is Current selected
Unemployment Rate
Above average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy

Outlook

Employment 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 13,300 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.

Projected Change
10%
(or 1,200 jobs)
From
12,100
in 2021
To
13,300
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 16,700
2012 9,800
2013 15,600
2014 9,200
2015 9,400
2016 8,000
2017 11,900
2018 12,300
2019 7,100
2020 7,900
2021 12,100
2026 13,300

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

  • Around 85% of people employed as Metal Engineering Process Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 19 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).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,158 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $843
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,450

    Median hourly earnings are $29, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

    Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Earnings Metal Engineering Process Workers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,158 1,593
Total Earnings 0 0

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.

Industries

Main industries

1
Manufacturing
71.6%
2
Construction
9.8%
3
Wholesale Trade
7.8%
4
Mining
2.9%
5
Other industries
6.9%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

28.3% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

27.3% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

9.3% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.1% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.1% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.1% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.6% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Metal Engineering Process Workers All Jobs Average
NSW 28.3 31.6
VIC 27.3 25.6
QLD 19.2 20.0
SA 9.3 7.0
WA 12.1 10.8
TAS 2.1 2.0
NT 1.1 1.0
ACT 0.6 1.9


  • Around 46% of Metal Engineering Process Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    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

Age In Years
41
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
6%
All Jobs Average is 48%

  • The median age of Metal Engineering Process Workers is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 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)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Metal Engineering Process Workers All Jobs Average
15-19 5.7 5.0
20-24 11.6 9.3
25-34 19.6 22.9
35-44 20.0 22.0
45-54 22.9 21.6
55-59 10.5 9.0
60-64 6.7 6.0
65 and Over 3.0 4.2
Median Age 41 40

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

Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Metal Engineering Process Worker. Some workers have a certificate I or II in engineering or engineering production.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore 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 Metal Engineering Process Workers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 0.7 10.1
Bachelor degree 3.3 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 4.2 11.6
Certificate III/IV 27.6 21.1
Year 12 22.7 18.1
Year 11 9.2 4.8
Year 10 and below 32.3 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.

Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Metal Engineering Process Workers who are reliable, have a strong work ethic and can interact with others.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 43%

    Monitoring

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

  • 43%

    Operation monitoring

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

  • 43%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 39%

    Active listening

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

  • 39%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 39%

    Critical thinking

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

  • 39%

    Quality control analysis

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

  • 37%

    Judgment and decision making

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

  • 37%

    Equipment maintenance

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

  • 36%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 36%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 36%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 34%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 34%

    Time management

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

  • 32%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 30%

    Complex problem solving

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

  • 29%

    Active learning

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

  • 29%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 25%

    Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • 23%

    Equipment selection

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

Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 34%

    Administration and management

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

  • 33%

    Production and processing

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

  • 25%

    Public safety and security

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

  • 23%

    English language

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

  • 21%

    Education and training

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

  • 20%

    Mechanical

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

  • 19%

    Chemistry

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

  • 19%

    Customer and personal service

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

  • 16%

    Clerical

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

  • 12%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 12%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 10%

    Physics

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

  • 9%

    Psychology

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

  • 9%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 9%

    Engineering and technology

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

  • 9%

    Economics and accounting

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

  • 8%

    Personnel and human resources

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

  • 8%

    Computers and electronics

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

  • 4%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 3%

    Building and construction

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

Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 48%

    Near vision

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

  • 46%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 46%

    Control precision

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

  • 46%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 45%

    Multilimb coordination

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

  • 45%

    Perceptual speed

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

  • 45%

    Reaction time

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

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

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

  • 43%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 43%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 43%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 41%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 41%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 41%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 41%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 39%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 39%

    Problem spotting

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

  • 39%

    Sorting or ordering

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

  • 38%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 34%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

Activities

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

  • 92%

    Handling and moving objects

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

  • 73%

    Controlling equipment or machines

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

  • 62%

    Communicating within a team

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

  • 58%

    Doing physically active work

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

  • 54%

    Checking for errors or defects

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

  • 51%

    Training and teaching others

    Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.

  • 50%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

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

  • 46%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 44%

    Helping and caring for others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.

  • 43%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

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

  • 42%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 42%

    Looking for changes over time

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

  • 42%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 42%

    Making decisions and solving problems

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

  • 40%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 40%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

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

  • 39%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 38%

    Collecting and organising information

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

  • 31%

    Making sense of information and ideas

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

  • 30%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

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.

  • 43%

    Administrative

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

  • 29%

    Analytical

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

  • 24%

    Enterprising

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

  • 14%

    Creative

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

  • 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.

  • 43%

    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.

  • 38%

    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.

  • 33%

    Achievement

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

  • 33%

    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.

  • 29%

    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:

  • 100%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

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

  • 98%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 97%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

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

  • 96%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

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

  • 92%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 91%

    Dangerous equipment

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

  • 91%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

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

  • 89%

    Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings

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

  • 89%

    Contact with people

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

  • 84%

    Dangerous conditions

    Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.

  • 83%

    Bright or inadequate lighting

    Work in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.

  • 82%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 81%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 79%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 79%

    Pace of work set by equipment

    Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.

  • 78%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 77%

    Wear specialized protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.

  • 77%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 75%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 74%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact 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, 51-4052.00 - Pourers and Casters, Metal.

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