Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere)
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) includes jobs like Cable Ferry Operator, Dredge Operator, Mulcher Operator, Snow Groomer, Straddle Carrier Operator, and Tunneller.
Tasks
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Prepares and positions plant for operation.
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Selects, fits and removes attachments.
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Operates controls to carry out required tasks.
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Monitors operation of plant and adjusts controls to regulate pressure, speed and flow of operation, and ensures safety of other workers.
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Raises, lowers and manipulates attachments using manual and hydraulic controls.
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Works from drawings, markers and verbal instructions.
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Services, lubricates, cleans and refuels plant and performs minor adjustments and repairs.
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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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, Other Mobile Plant Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 88% of people employed as Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 22 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 50 hours per week in their main job. This is 6 hours more than 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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Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) work 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 | Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 24.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 32.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 20.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 50% of Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Melbourne - West.
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 Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 5% of the workforce. This is 43 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 | Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 8.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 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 essential to work as a Mobile Plant Operator (not covered elsewhere). Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in a related trade.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Mobile Plant Operators (not covered elsewhere) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.4 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 35.0 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 23.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 7.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 27.0 | 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 Other Mobile Plant Operators who are trustworthy and responsible, can communicate with a variety of people and have good team work skills
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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46%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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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%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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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.
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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%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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36%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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34%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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34%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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34%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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72%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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48%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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48%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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47%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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47%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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34%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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33%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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32%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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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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28%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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26%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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26%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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25%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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16%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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15%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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15%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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15%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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13%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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11%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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11%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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57%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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52%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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52%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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50%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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48%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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46%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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41%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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39%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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37%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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36%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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36%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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69%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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63%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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59%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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58%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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54%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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54%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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47%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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42%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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42%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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41%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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41%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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39%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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37%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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35%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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34%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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30%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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28%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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28%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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27%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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21%
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.
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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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29%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
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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19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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67%
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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43%
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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33%
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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24%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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24%
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
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98%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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98%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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94%
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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89%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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87%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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85%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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83%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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82%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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79%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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78%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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76%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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76%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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75%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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73%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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73%
Outdoors, under coverWork outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).
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70%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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69%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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64%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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64%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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63%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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, 53-7031.00 - Dredge Operators.
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.