Overview
All Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers
-
$1,027 Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
1,500 workers Employment Size
-
Entry level Skill level rating
-
80% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
40 hours Average full-time
-
45 years Average age
-
25% female Gender Share
Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing plastic and rubber products.
You can work as a Plastics or Rubber Factory Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in polymer processing may be useful.
Tasks
- dumping material into hoppers of machines
- stopping moulding machines and discharging contents
- cutting foam products from foam blocks
- cleaning, smoothing and waxing moulds for making products
- brushing and spraying release agents onto moulds to assist with the removal of moulded products
- building up layers of fibreglass and resin on moulds
- cleaning work areas, tools and equipment
- may smooth rough edges of moulds using files, grinders and sanders
Prospects
There were 1,500 Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers in 2020. The number of workers:
- fell over the past 5 years
- is expected to fall over the next five years
- is likely to reach 1,200 by 2025.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025. 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 Snapshot
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Many Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers work in Victoria.
- Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Wholesale Trade; and Construction.
- Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,027 per week (lower than the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (80%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 40 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 45 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 25% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025.
Weekly Earnings
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), May 2018, 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.
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
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.
Pathways
You can work as a Plastics or Rubber Factory Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in polymer processing may be useful.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
Employers look for Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers who work well in a team, can communicate clearly and are reliable.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Building and construction
Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Foreign language
Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Selective attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Reaction time
Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Hearing sensitivity
Tell the difference between sounds.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Speech recognition
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Working with mechanical equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Working with computers
Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-4081.00 - Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
Work Environment
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.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Health and safety of others
Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Pace of work set by equipment
Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
Making repetitive motions
Spend time making repetitive motions.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Walking and running
Spend time walking and running.
-
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Consequence of error
Work where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
Lead or coordinate a team
Lead others to do work activities.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
Support
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
Relationships
Serve 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.
-
Working conditions
Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
Independence
Work 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.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
Recognition
Advancement 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.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-4081.00 - Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
All Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers
-
$1,027 Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
1,500 workers Employment Size
-
Entry level Skill level rating
-
80% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
40 hours Average full-time
-
45 years Average age
-
25% female Gender Share
Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing plastic and rubber products.
You can work as a Plastics or Rubber Factory Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in polymer processing may be useful.
Tasks
- dumping material into hoppers of machines
- stopping moulding machines and discharging contents
- cutting foam products from foam blocks
- cleaning, smoothing and waxing moulds for making products
- brushing and spraying release agents onto moulds to assist with the removal of moulded products
- building up layers of fibreglass and resin on moulds
- cleaning work areas, tools and equipment
- may smooth rough edges of moulds using files, grinders and sanders
There were 1,500 Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers in 2020. The number of workers:
- fell over the past 5 years
- is expected to fall over the next five years
- is likely to reach 1,200 by 2025.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025. 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 Snapshot
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Many Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers work in Victoria.
- Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Wholesale Trade; and Construction.
- Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,027 per week (lower than the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (80%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 40 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 45 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 25% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025.
Weekly Earnings
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), May 2018, 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.
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
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.
You can work as a Plastics or Rubber Factory Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in polymer processing may be useful.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking VET training pathways.
Employers look for Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers who work well in a team, can communicate clearly and are reliable.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Building and construction
Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Foreign language
Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Selective attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Reaction time
Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Hearing sensitivity
Tell the difference between sounds.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Speech recognition
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Working with mechanical equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Working with computers
Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-4081.00 - Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
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.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Health and safety of others
Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Pace of work set by equipment
Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
Making repetitive motions
Spend time making repetitive motions.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Walking and running
Spend time walking and running.
-
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Consequence of error
Work where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
Lead or coordinate a team
Lead others to do work activities.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
Support
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
Relationships
Serve 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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Working conditions
Job 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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Independence
Work 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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Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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Recognition
Advancement 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.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-4081.00 - Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.