Product Graders
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Product Graders grade primary produce by evaluating individual items or batches against established standards, and record these results.
Specialisations: Fruit and Vegetable Classer, Meat Grader, Milk and Cream Grader, Timber Grader.
Formal qualifications are not usually required to work as a Product Grader.
Tasks
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Studies product specifications and takes measurement to determine conformity to specifications.
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Examines products for defects and grades produce.
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Designates grading of produce and records details of assessment according to classification system.
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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Light
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, Product Quality Controllers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 60% of people employed as Product Graders work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points below 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).
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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Product Graders 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 | Product Graders | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 20.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 19.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 22.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 6.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 70% of Product Graders live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
South Australia and Tasmania have a large share of employment relative to their 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 Product Graders is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 67% of the workforce. This is 19 percentage points above 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 | Product Graders | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 22.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 16.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.8 | 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 Product Grader.
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 | Product Graders | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 9.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 16.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 24.6 | 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 Product Quality Controllers who pay attention to detail, can communicate clearly and work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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37%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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27%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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25%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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23%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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21%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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21%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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20%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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20%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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18%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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16%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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16%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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16%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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7%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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5%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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4%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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4%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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37%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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30%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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29%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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21%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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19%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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19%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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19%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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18%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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17%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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14%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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13%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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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%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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10%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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8%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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7%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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6%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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5%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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5%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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4%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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43%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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41%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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38%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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36%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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36%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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34%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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34%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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34%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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34%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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32%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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32%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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32%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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32%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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27%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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25%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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25%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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23%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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23%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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70%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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41%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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40%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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40%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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39%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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36%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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34%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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33%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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32%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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30%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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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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29%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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27%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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26%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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25%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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24%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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23%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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22%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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22%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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21%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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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86%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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81%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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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%
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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52%
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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29%
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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29%
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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29%
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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14%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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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
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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83%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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81%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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79%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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72%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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72%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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69%
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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68%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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65%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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64%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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64%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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62%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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60%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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58%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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52%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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52%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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50%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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48%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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, 45-2041.00 - Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products.
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.