Product Quality Controllers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Product Quality Controllers examine manufactured products and primary produce to ensure conformity to specifications and standards of presentation and quality.
Tasks
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studying product specifications and taking measurements to determine conformity to specifications
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examining and marking output for visible defects such as cracks, holes and breakages
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making minor repairs and adjustments to products
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compiling quality assurance reports, maintaining documentation and reporting findings
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examining products for defects and grading produce
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designating grading of produce and recording details of assessments according to classification system
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collecting and labelling samples for inspection
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recording details of sampling procedures and sources of samples
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preparing samples and carrying out prescribed tests
Characteristics
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University
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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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Analytical
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Administrative
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Light
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 in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
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 | 11,700 |
2012 | 15,600 |
2013 | 14,000 |
2014 | 19,600 |
2015 | 11,400 |
2016 | 10,600 |
2017 | 13,900 |
2018 | 12,300 |
2019 | 17,200 |
2020 | 11,600 |
2021 | 10,900 |
2026 | 10,700 |
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
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Around 80% of people employed as Product Quality Controllers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,120 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $965
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,470
Median hourly earnings are $28, 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 | Product Quality Controllers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,120 | 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 Product Quality Controllers work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Product Quality Controllers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 30.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 11.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.6 | 1.9 |
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Around 60% of Product Quality Controllers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - Blacktown
- Sydney - Parramatta
- Sydney - Inner South 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 Product Quality Controllers is 43 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 46% of the workforce. This is similar to 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 Quality Controllers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.7 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 22.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 43 | 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 Product Quality Controller. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or a university degree in a related field, such as manufacturing, engineering trades, sciences or technology.
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 Quality Controllers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 6.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 17.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 11.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 20.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 20.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 17.7 | 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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54%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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54%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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52%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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52%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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50%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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50%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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48%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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48%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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46%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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46%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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45%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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45%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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45%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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39%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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37%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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63%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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57%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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56%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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51%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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51%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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48%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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41%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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39%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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38%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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34%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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32%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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30%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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29%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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25%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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23%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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22%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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17%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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52%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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50%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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50%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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48%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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48%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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48%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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48%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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46%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
66%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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65%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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62%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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58%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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58%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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58%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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58%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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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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54%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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54%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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53%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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50%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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50%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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47%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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44%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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44%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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43%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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37%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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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90%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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76%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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67%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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38%
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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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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62%
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.
-
60%
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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57%
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.
-
57%
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.
-
52%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Demands
-
99%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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95%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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94%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
93%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
85%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
81%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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78%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
76%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
73%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
70%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
70%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
69%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
66%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-4099.01 - Quality Control Analysts.
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.