Glaziers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Glaziers measure, cut, finish, fit and install flat glass and mirrors.
Specialisations: Glass Beveller, Glass Embosser, Glass Etcher, Glass Silverer.
A certificate III in glass and glazing is usually needed to work as a Glazier. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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determining type and dimensions of glass required
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laying glass over patterns on padded tables and in jigs
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measuring and marking glass for cutting
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examining glass and marking defective areas
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cutting along patterns and templates
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breaking off sheets and excess glass with notched tools and glass pliers
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installing glass and mirrors in windows, skylights, display cases, interior walls and ceilings
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smoothing rough edges using belt sanders and smoothing wheels
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may coat, cut, etch, trim and treat glass to achieve special effects
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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Light
-
Medium
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 | 11,000 |
2012 | 6,600 |
2013 | 9,600 |
2014 | 7,900 |
2015 | 8,200 |
2016 | 10,900 |
2017 | 13,500 |
2018 | 9,700 |
2019 | 11,300 |
2020 | 9,000 |
2021 | 8,800 |
2026 | 8,900 |
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 89% of people employed as Glaziers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 percentage points above 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).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Glaziers work in the Construction 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 | Glaziers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.0 | 20.0 |
SA | 4.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 14.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 3.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.6 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.3 | 1.9 |
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Around 46% of Glaziers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland and Western Australia 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 Glaziers is 37 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 1% of the workforce. This is 47 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 | Glaziers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 26.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 37 | 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
A certificate III in glass and glazing is usually needed to work as a Glazier. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Glaziers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 1.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 59.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 14.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 17.0 | 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 Glaziers who have a good work ethic, are hardworking, courteous and polite.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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43%
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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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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34%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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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%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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29%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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27%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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20%
InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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71%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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46%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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45%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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42%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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38%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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37%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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32%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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28%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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28%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
26%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
24%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
23%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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23%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
18%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
16%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
15%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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12%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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11%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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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%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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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%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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41%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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39%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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39%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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39%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
88%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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75%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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63%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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60%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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54%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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52%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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50%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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50%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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48%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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46%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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46%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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45%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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44%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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44%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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42%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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41%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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39%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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36%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for 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.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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57%
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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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
48%
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%
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.
-
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
-
97%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
97%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
96%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
96%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
89%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
88%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
88%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
86%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
86%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
85%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
85%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
83%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
83%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
82%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
81%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
79%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
78%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
78%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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, 47-2121.00 - Glaziers.
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.