Overview
All Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators
-
$1,312 Weekly Pay
-
Moderate Future Growth
-
9,300 workers Employment Size
-
Lower skill Skill level rating
-
89% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
44 hours Average full-time
-
43 years Average age
-
6% female Gender Share
Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture paper packaging and other paper products, fibreboard stock, logs, plywood, particle board, solid laminate and similar timber products.
You can work as a Paper or Wood Processing Machine Operator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
Tasks
- setting up printing plates, ink circulation systems, knives, creases, cutting dies, and folding and gluing machines
- loading machines with paper and fibreboard
- operating machines to form cardboard containers, paper plates, egg cartons, tissue paper and other paper products
- adjusting and cleaning machines and performing minor repairs
- securing timber into place and setting saws to produce specified sizes of plank and board to be cut
- starting machines and feeding stock onto cutting saw, and operating automatic feed mechanisms
- raising and lowering saws to trim boards and remove defects such as rot and splits
- controlling lathes and slicing machines to produce veneers, and laminating veneer using glue
- verifying dimensions of cut stock and accuracy of cuts
- checking saws and other machines for safety, sharpness and correct functioning
Prospects
The number of people working as Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years:
from 5,800 in 2014 to 9,300 in 2019.
Caution: The Australian jobs market is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with extreme caution.
- Size: This is a small occupation.
- Location: Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Wholesale Trade; and Construction.
- Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,312 per week (similar to the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (89%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 44 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 43 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 6% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Caution: The 2019 employment projections do not take account of any impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and are therefore no longer reflective of current labour market conditions. As such, they should be used, and interpreted, with extreme caution. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.
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 Paper or Wood Processing Machine Operator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
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 Pulp & Paper Manufacturing Industry and Forest and Wood Products Industry VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
Employers look for Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators who are hardworking, have good people skills and are reliable.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Sociology and anthropology
Group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Sales and marketing
Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
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.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Systems analysis
Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
Systems evaluation
Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Selective attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Reaction time
Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Extent flexibility
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Speech clarity
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
-
Rate control
Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Leading and encouraging a team
Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Coaching and developing others
Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Making sense of information and ideas
Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

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, 51-9196.00 - Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
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.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Pace of work set by equipment
Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Making repetitive motions
Spend time making repetitive motions.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Walking and running
Spend time walking and running.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Cramped work space
Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
-
Bending or twisting your body
Spend time bending or twisting your body.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Repeating same tasks
Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

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, 51-9196.00 - Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
All Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators
-
$1,312 Weekly Pay
-
Moderate Future Growth
-
9,300 workers Employment Size
-
Lower skill Skill level rating
-
89% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
44 hours Average full-time
-
43 years Average age
-
6% female Gender Share
Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture paper packaging and other paper products, fibreboard stock, logs, plywood, particle board, solid laminate and similar timber products.
You can work as a Paper or Wood Processing Machine Operator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
Tasks
- setting up printing plates, ink circulation systems, knives, creases, cutting dies, and folding and gluing machines
- loading machines with paper and fibreboard
- operating machines to form cardboard containers, paper plates, egg cartons, tissue paper and other paper products
- adjusting and cleaning machines and performing minor repairs
- securing timber into place and setting saws to produce specified sizes of plank and board to be cut
- starting machines and feeding stock onto cutting saw, and operating automatic feed mechanisms
- raising and lowering saws to trim boards and remove defects such as rot and splits
- controlling lathes and slicing machines to produce veneers, and laminating veneer using glue
- verifying dimensions of cut stock and accuracy of cuts
- checking saws and other machines for safety, sharpness and correct functioning
The number of people working as Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years:
from 5,800 in 2014 to 9,300 in 2019.
Caution: The Australian jobs market is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with extreme caution.
- Size: This is a small occupation.
- Location: Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Wholesale Trade; and Construction.
- Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,312 per week (similar to the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (89%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 44 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 43 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 6% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Caution: The 2019 employment projections do not take account of any impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and are therefore no longer reflective of current labour market conditions. As such, they should be used, and interpreted, with extreme caution. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.
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 Paper or Wood Processing Machine Operator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
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 Pulp & Paper Manufacturing Industry and Forest and Wood Products Industry VET training pathways.
Employers look for Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators who are hardworking, have good people skills and are reliable.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Technical design
Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Sociology and anthropology
Group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Sales and marketing
Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
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.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Systems analysis
Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
Systems evaluation
Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Selective attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Reaction time
Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Extent flexibility
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Speech clarity
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
-
Rate control
Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Handling and moving objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Leading and encouraging a team
Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Coaching and developing others
Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Making sense of information and ideas
Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

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, 51-9196.00 - Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
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.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Pace of work set by equipment
Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Making repetitive motions
Spend time making repetitive motions.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Walking and running
Spend time walking and running.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
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Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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Cramped work space
Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.
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Bending or twisting your body
Spend time bending or twisting your body.
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Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
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Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
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Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
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Repeating same tasks
Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
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Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
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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.
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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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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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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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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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Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

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, 51-9196.00 - Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.