Overview
All Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers
-
Unavailable Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
4,800 workers Employment Size
-
Medium skill Skill level rating
-
74% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
43 hours Average full-time
-
47 years Average age
-
18% female Gender Share
Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers set up and operate woodworking machines and wood turning lathes to shape wood stock, finish and polish furniture, and make picture frames and frame paintings, photographs and other artwork.
You can work as a Wood Machinist or Wood Trades Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate III in a furnishing or timber field may be useful.
Tasks
- studying drawings, work orders and sample parts to determine specifications
- determining tooling and machine requirements and sequence of operations
- setting up woodworking machines and wood stock for correct cutting, planning, turning, shaping and sanding
- operating machines to cut, plane, turn, shape and sand work pieces
- removing old finishes by stripping with steel wool and glasspaper, and by applying solvents and paint strippers, and removing softened finishes by scraping
- applying varnish, shellac, lacquer, stains and paint to surfaces and polishing and waxing finished surfaces
- fitting and fastening frame pieces
- mounting backing materials and subjects for framing
Prospects
The number of people working as Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers (in their main job) fell over 5 years:
from 6,400 in 2014 to 4,800 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 very small occupation.
- Location: Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Retail Trade; and Construction.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (74%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 43 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 47 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (56%).
- Gender: 18% 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.
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 Wood Machinist or Wood Trades Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate III in a furnishing or timber field 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 Forest and Wood Products Industry and Furnishing Industry VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
Employers look for Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
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.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Building and construction
Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
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.
-
History and archeology
Events of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
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.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Foreign language
Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
Philosophy and theology
Philosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
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.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Serving others
Looking for ways to help people.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Management of personnel resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Persuasion
Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Static strength
Lift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Far vision
See details that are far away.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Dynamic strength
Exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
-
Stamina
Exercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
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.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
Managing payments and orders
Monitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
-
Working with the public
Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Working with mechanical equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Coordinating the work of a team
Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
Scheduling work and activities
Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Guiding and directing staff
Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

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, 51-7021.00 - Furniture Finishers.
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.
-
Dangerous conditions
Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Making repetitive motions
Spend time making repetitive motions.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Responsible for outcomes
Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Bright or inadequate lighting
Work in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
Competition
Compete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Very hot or cold temperatures
Work in very hot or cold temperatures.
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.
-
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.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
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.
-
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, 51-7021.00 - Furniture Finishers.
All Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers
-
Unavailable Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
4,800 workers Employment Size
-
Medium skill Skill level rating
-
74% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
43 hours Average full-time
-
47 years Average age
-
18% female Gender Share
Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers set up and operate woodworking machines and wood turning lathes to shape wood stock, finish and polish furniture, and make picture frames and frame paintings, photographs and other artwork.
You can work as a Wood Machinist or Wood Trades Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate III in a furnishing or timber field may be useful.
Tasks
- studying drawings, work orders and sample parts to determine specifications
- determining tooling and machine requirements and sequence of operations
- setting up woodworking machines and wood stock for correct cutting, planning, turning, shaping and sanding
- operating machines to cut, plane, turn, shape and sand work pieces
- removing old finishes by stripping with steel wool and glasspaper, and by applying solvents and paint strippers, and removing softened finishes by scraping
- applying varnish, shellac, lacquer, stains and paint to surfaces and polishing and waxing finished surfaces
- fitting and fastening frame pieces
- mounting backing materials and subjects for framing
The number of people working as Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers (in their main job) fell over 5 years:
from 6,400 in 2014 to 4,800 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 very small occupation.
- Location: Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Retail Trade; and Construction.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (74%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 43 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 47 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (56%).
- Gender: 18% 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.
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 Wood Machinist or Wood Trades Worker without formal qualifications, however, a certificate III in a furnishing or timber field 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 Forest and Wood Products Industry and Furnishing Industry VET training pathways.
Employers look for Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
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.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
Building and construction
Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
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.
-
History and archeology
Events of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
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.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
Foreign language
Foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
-
Philosophy and theology
Philosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
Psychology
Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
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.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Operation and control
Controlling equipment or systems.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Quality control analysis
Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Serving others
Looking for ways to help people.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Management of personnel resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
-
Persuasion
Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Visualization
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Manual dexterity
Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Static strength
Lift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
Auditory attention
Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Multilimb coordination
Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
Trunk strength
Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
Far vision
See details that are far away.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Dynamic strength
Exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
-
Stamina
Exercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
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.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Building good relationships
Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
Managing payments and orders
Monitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
-
Working with the public
Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
Assessing and evaluating things
Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Working with mechanical equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Coordinating the work of a team
Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
Driving vehicles or equipment
Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
Scheduling work and activities
Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Guiding and directing staff
Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

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, 51-7021.00 - Furniture Finishers.
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.
-
Dangerous conditions
Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Spend time standing
Spend time standing at work.
-
Loud or uncomfortable sounds
Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Making repetitive motions
Spend time making repetitive motions.
-
Using your hands to handle, control, or feel
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Responsible for outcomes
Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Bright or inadequate lighting
Work in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
Competition
Compete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Impact of decisions
Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
Dangerous equipment
Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
Very hot or cold temperatures
Work in very hot or cold temperatures.
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.
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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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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.
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Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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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Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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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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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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Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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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, 51-7021.00 - Furniture Finishers.