Metal Engineering Process Workers
Overview
Snapshot
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
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soldering and spot welding components using electrical spot and butt welding machines
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transporting tools, materials and work pieces to and from sites and workbenches
-
cleaning and preparing working surfaces
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
Medium
-
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 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.
Number of Workers
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)
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
-
Most Metal Engineering Process Workers 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 | 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
-
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)
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)
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.
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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%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
36%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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36%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
34%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
30%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
29%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
25%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
23%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
34%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
33%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
25%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
23%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
21%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
20%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
19%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
19%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
16%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
12%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
12%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
10%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
9%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
9%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
9%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
9%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
8%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
8%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
4%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
3%
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..
-
48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
46%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
45%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
43%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
39%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
39%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
38%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
92%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
73%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
62%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
58%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
54%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
51%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
50%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
46%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
44%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
43%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
42%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
42%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
42%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
42%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
40%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
39%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
38%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
31%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
30%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging 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%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
43%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
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.
-
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.
-
38%
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.
-
33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
33%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
29%
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
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
98%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
97%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
96%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
92%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
91%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
91%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
89%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
89%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
84%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
83%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
82%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
81%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
79%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
79%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
78%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
77%
Wear specialized protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.
-
77%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
75%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
74%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact 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, 51-4052.00 - Pourers and Casters, Metal.
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
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.