Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture and finish a variety of clay, concrete, glassware and stone products by extruding, shaping, mixing, grinding, cutting and other processes.
Tasks
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monitoring the flow of clay and other raw materials and products into machines, and adjusting valves and controls to specifications
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positioning clay and stone on machines to be cut and worked
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operating concrete mixing, stacking and splitting machines
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setting up and installing moulds and other machine fixtures
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setting up and operating glass-making machines to produce molten glass, and regulating temperature of molten glass
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pressing and blowing glass into moulds to form glassware products
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collecting and examining samples for conformity to specifications and adjusting machine settings accordingly
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setting grinding and cutting edges
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using hand tools to cut, inscribe and polish roughly hewn stone to finished condition
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Creative
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Medium
-
Heavy
-
Very Heavy
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 decline
- is likely to reach 2,100 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 3,300 |
2012 | 3,800 |
2013 | 4,500 |
2014 | 1,500 |
2015 | 3,300 |
2016 | 1,900 |
2017 | 7,400 |
2018 | 5,800 |
2019 | 2,900 |
2020 | 2,200 |
2021 | 2,200 |
2026 | 2,100 |
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 92% of people employed as Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 26 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median hourly earnings are $28, 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. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 25.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 29.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 13.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 66% of Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its 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 Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Machine Operators is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 3% of the workforce. This is 45 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 | Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 23.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.2 | 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 Clay, Concrete, Glass or Stone Machine Operator. Some workers have a certificate II in manufactured mineral products.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Manufactured Mineral Products VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 28.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 24.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 28.4 | 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 Clay, Concrete, Glass & Stone Machine Operators who are reliable, hardworking and can interact well with others.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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41%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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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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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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32%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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29%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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23%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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70%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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58%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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55%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
53%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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53%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
51%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
47%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
47%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
44%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
41%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
39%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
36%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
35%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
35%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
35%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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32%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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32%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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31%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
30%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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54%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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52%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
50%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
50%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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46%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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41%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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39%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
-
39%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
36%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
84%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
81%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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65%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
64%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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63%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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62%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
62%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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62%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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61%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
60%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
57%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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56%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
53%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
-
52%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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50%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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50%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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48%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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46%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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44%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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42%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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.
-
95%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
57%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
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.
-
48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
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.
-
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.
-
38%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
-
96%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
96%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
94%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
81%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
81%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
79%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
72%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
71%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
70%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
69%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
67%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
67%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
66%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
65%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
63%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
59%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
58%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
57%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
57%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
56%
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, 51-9195.05 - Potters, Manufacturing.
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.