Other Wood Processing Machine Operators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines that strip and prepare logs, remove bark, cut logs and timber, create wood chips, and cut, glue, press, trim, sand, splice, mould and repair wooden boards of various grades, forms and combinations.
Specialisations: Debarker Operator, Docking Saw Operator, Log Preparer, Plywood and Veneer Repairer, Sawmill Moulder Operator, Veneer Production Machine Operator.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as an Other Wood Processing Machine Operator. Some workers have a certificate III or IV in wood machining and turning.
Tasks
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Adjusts and cleans machines and performs minor repairs.
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Secures timber into place and sets saws to produce specified sizes of plank and board to be cut.
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Starts machines and feeds stock onto cutting saws, and operates automatic feeding mechanisms.
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Raises and lowers saws to trim boards and remove defects such as rot and splits.
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Controls lathes and slicing machines to produce veneers, and laminates veneers using glue.
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Verifies dimensions of cut stock and accuracy of cuts.
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Checks saws and other machines for safety, sharpness and correct functioning.
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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Very Heavy
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, Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 90% of people employed as Other Wood Processing Machine Operators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 24 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.
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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Most Other Wood Processing Machine Operators work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed 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 | Other Wood Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 6.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 72% of Other Wood Processing Machine Operators live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Tasmania has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
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
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The median age of Other Wood Processing Machine Operators 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 4% of the workforce. This is 44 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 Wood Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.3 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.6 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.9 | 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 an Other Wood Processing Machine Operator. Some workers have a certificate III or IV in wood machining and turning.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Pulp & Paper Manufacturing Industry and Forest and Wood Products Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Wood Processing Machine Operators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 19.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 10.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 39.0 | 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 Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators who are hardworking, have good people skills and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
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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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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43%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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43%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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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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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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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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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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36%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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30%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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30%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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30%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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29%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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29%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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52%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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41%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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41%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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38%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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31%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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31%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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30%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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29%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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26%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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23%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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22%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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22%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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21%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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20%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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18%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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13%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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12%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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10%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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8%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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8%
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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55%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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52%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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45%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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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%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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75%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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59%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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51%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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46%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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44%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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43%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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41%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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41%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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39%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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39%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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38%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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38%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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38%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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37%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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36%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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35%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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35%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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31%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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26%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
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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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
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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48%
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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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.
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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%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
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%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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97%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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96%
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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96%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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95%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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94%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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91%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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87%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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86%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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75%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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74%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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74%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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73%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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72%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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70%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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68%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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, 51-7042.00 - Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing.
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.