Train Drivers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Train Drivers drive trains to transport passengers and freight on railways.
Also known as: Locomotive Driver.
Specialisations: Electric Train Driver, Fireperson (Railway), Locomotive Observer, Rail Car Driver, Steam Train Driver.
A certificate III or IV in rail or train driving is usually needed to work as a Train Driver.
Tasks
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Stops at stations and set locations to pick up and set down passengers and freight.
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Opens and closes doors before and after passengers board or disembark.
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Observes signals, track conditions, nearby traffic and prescribed speeds to ensure safety.
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Monitors indicator gauges, changes controls and power supply poles and reports operating irregularities.
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Checks time and adherence to timetables.
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May advise passengers on destinations.
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
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Medium
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, Train and Tram Drivers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 94% of people employed as Train Drivers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 28 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 46 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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Most Train Drivers work in the Transport, postal and warehousing 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 | Train Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 16.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 29.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 14.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 63% of Train Drivers 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 Train Drivers is 48 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 8% of the workforce. This is 40 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 | Train Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 1.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 15.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 21.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 32.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 17.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 8.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.2 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 48 | 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 or IV in rail or train driving is usually needed to work as a Train Driver.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Transport and Logistics Training Package VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Train Drivers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 1.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.6 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 42.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 16.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 22.7 | 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 Train and Tram Drivers who can interact with customers, provide good customer service and are well presented.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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59%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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57%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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54%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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50%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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46%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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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%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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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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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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37%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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36%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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69%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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55%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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49%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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47%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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43%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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41%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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37%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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33%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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32%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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31%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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27%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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26%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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26%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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23%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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22%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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20%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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19%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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19%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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18%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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16%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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64%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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63%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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57%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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57%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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57%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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55%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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54%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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50%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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50%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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48%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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41%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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78%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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76%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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73%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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68%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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65%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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61%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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60%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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60%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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60%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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58%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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56%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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52%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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52%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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52%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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49%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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48%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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48%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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46%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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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33%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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33%
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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24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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86%
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%
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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62%
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%
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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48%
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.
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38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Demands
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97%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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96%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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96%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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95%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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95%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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92%
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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92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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90%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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89%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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89%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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89%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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88%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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87%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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87%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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87%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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87%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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87%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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81%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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80%
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, 53-4011.00 - Locomotive Engineers.
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.