Overview
All Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators
-
$1,294 Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
Plastics Production Machine Operators (General)
-
2,000 workers Employment Size
-
Lower skill Skill level rating
-
91% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
42 hours Average full-time
-
46 years Average age
-
13% female Gender Share
Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) operate extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.
Specialisations: Blow Moulding Machine Operator, Extruding Machine Operator (Plastics), Injection Moulding Machine Operator (Plastics), Lamination Machine Operator, Plastic Production Machine Setter, Rotational Moulding Operator (Plastics).
You can work as a Plastics Production Machine Operator (General) without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in polymer processing might be helpful.
Tasks
- Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation.
- Measures and loads materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms.
- Monitors operation, regulates material supply and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture.
- Threads uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels and through dies and cooling chambers.
- Lays casings, beads, ply on moulds.
- Operates rollers to remove air.
- Operates presses and controls curing.
- Examines output for defects and conformity to specifications.
- Performs minor repairs and maintains production records.
Prospects
The number of Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) fell over 5 years:
from 3,000 in 2011 to 2,000 in 2016.
Caution: 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 caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Many Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) work in Victoria.
- Industries: Most work in the Manufacturing industry.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (91%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 42 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 46 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (55%).
- Gender: 13% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
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 Production Machine Operator (General) without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in polymer processing might be helpful.
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 Production Machine Operators who are hardworking, can work well with others 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.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Economics and accounting
Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
Sales and marketing
Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
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.
-
Telecommunications
Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications 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.
-
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.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
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.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
Mathematics
Using maths to solve problems.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Reaction time
Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Rate control
Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Selective attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
-
Static strength
Lift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Far vision
See details that are far away.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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).
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
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.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Coordinating the work of a team
Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
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.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Coaching and developing others
Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
Leading and encouraging a team
Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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, 51-4021.00 - Extruding and Drawing Machine 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.
-
Pace of work set by equipment
Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Consequence of error
Work where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
Walking and running
Spend time walking and running.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
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.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Angry or unpleasant people
Deal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Bending or twisting your body
Spend time bending or twisting your body.
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.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
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, 51-4021.00 - Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
All Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators
-
$1,294 Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
Plastics Production Machine Operators (General)
-
2,000 workers Employment Size
-
Lower skill Skill level rating
-
91% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
42 hours Average full-time
-
46 years Average age
-
13% female Gender Share
Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) operate extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.
Specialisations: Blow Moulding Machine Operator, Extruding Machine Operator (Plastics), Injection Moulding Machine Operator (Plastics), Lamination Machine Operator, Plastic Production Machine Setter, Rotational Moulding Operator (Plastics).
You can work as a Plastics Production Machine Operator (General) without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in polymer processing might be helpful.
Tasks
- Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation.
- Measures and loads materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms.
- Monitors operation, regulates material supply and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture.
- Threads uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels and through dies and cooling chambers.
- Lays casings, beads, ply on moulds.
- Operates rollers to remove air.
- Operates presses and controls curing.
- Examines output for defects and conformity to specifications.
- Performs minor repairs and maintains production records.
The number of Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) fell over 5 years:
from 3,000 in 2011 to 2,000 in 2016.
Caution: 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 caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Many Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) work in Victoria.
- Industries: Most work in the Manufacturing industry.
- Full-time: Most work full-time (91%, much higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 42 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 46 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (55%).
- Gender: 13% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
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 Production Machine Operator (General) without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate II or III in polymer processing might be helpful.
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 Production Machine Operators who are hardworking, can work well with others 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.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Economics and accounting
Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
Sales and marketing
Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
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.
-
Telecommunications
Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications 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.
-
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.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Repairing
Fixing machines or systems.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
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.
-
Equipment maintenance
Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Equipment selection
Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
Mathematics
Using maths to solve problems.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Reaction time
Quickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Rate control
Change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Selective attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
-
Static strength
Lift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Far vision
See details that are far away.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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).
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
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.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Coordinating the work of a team
Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
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.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Coaching and developing others
Working out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
Leading and encouraging a team
Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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, 51-4021.00 - Extruding and Drawing Machine 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.
-
Pace of work set by equipment
Pace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Consequence of error
Work where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
Walking and running
Spend time walking and running.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Be exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
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.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Angry or unpleasant people
Deal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Bending or twisting your body
Spend time bending or twisting your body.
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.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
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, 51-4021.00 - Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.