Other Construction and Mining Labourers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Construction and Mining Labourers includes occupations such as Crane Chasers, Driller's Assistants, Laggers, Mining Support Workers and Surveyor's Assistants.
Tasks
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slings cranes and winches, and directs the movement of loads ensuring loads do not exceed lifting capacities
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performs routine tasks in setting up, operating and dismantling drilling sites for extracting oil, gas, mineral ore or water
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applies insulating materials, such as felt, fibreglass, polyurethane and cork, to pipes, steam generators, process vats and ducting, and secures insulation with wire, wire netting, staples, metal strapping and using welding torches
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performs routine tasks in mining and mineral ore treating operations such as assembling, operating and dismantling mining equipment, taking ore, rock and dust samples, and mixing ore treating chemicals and catalysts
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performs routine tasks to assist surveyors and geologists by transporting, assembling, maintaining and laying out prospecting and surveying equipment, and collecting and labelling samples
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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Administrative
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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 5,200 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 | 8,500 |
2012 | 8,400 |
2013 | 8,800 |
2014 | 3,700 |
2015 | 7,000 |
2016 | 7,600 |
2017 | 6,900 |
2018 | 6,900 |
2019 | 8,700 |
2020 | 8,800 |
2021 | 5,700 |
2026 | 5,200 |
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 81% of people employed as Other Construction and Mining Labourers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 15 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 57 hours per week in their main job. This is 13 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,748 per week, this is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,512
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,362
Median hourly earnings are $34, 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 | Other Construction and Mining Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,748 | 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
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Most Other Construction and Mining Labourers work in the Mining 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 | Other Construction and Mining Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 12.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 25.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 27.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 55% of Other Construction and Mining Labourers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Western Australia 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 Other Construction and Mining Labourers is 35 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 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 | Other Construction and Mining Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 14.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 31.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 35 | 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 an Other Construction or Mining Labourer. 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 VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Construction and Mining Labourers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 6.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 34.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 23.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 22.3 | 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 Construction and Mining Labourers who are reliable, hardworking and can work independently.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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46%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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46%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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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 and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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41%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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37%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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37%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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34%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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34%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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54%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
44%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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42%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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41%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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39%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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38%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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37%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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35%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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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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30%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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29%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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27%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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26%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
26%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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26%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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25%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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22%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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19%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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19%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
14%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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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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54%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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52%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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48%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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46%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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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%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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39%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
39%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
73%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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68%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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66%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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66%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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66%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
64%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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62%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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61%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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61%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
60%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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60%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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57%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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57%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
56%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
55%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
53%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
52%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
52%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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50%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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.
-
62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
29%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
14%
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.
-
94%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
92%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
88%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
87%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
84%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
84%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
83%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
83%
Cramped work spaceWork in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
82%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
82%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
79%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
78%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
78%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
75%
Whole body vibrationBe exposed to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer).
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, 47-5081.00 - Helpers--Extraction Workers.
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.