The manufacturing and engineering industry employs a workforce approaching a million people. It is the second largest employer in Australia and amongst the top 20 paying industries. More of its employees work full-time than in any other industry.
There are a wide range of industry sectors and jobs within the industry. The occupations within it include all of the people who conceive, design, manufacture, assemble, install, repair, package and sell the manufactured products. People with metal and engineering skills also work in many other areas including building and construction, mining, health, the food areas and hospitality.
Industry sectors
Two of the major sectors in the industry sectors are:
- Metal and engineering
- Aeroskills
Metal and engineering
Some of the areas covered within this sector are:
- Metal fabrication, light (sheet metal) and heavy
- Metal product manufacture including steel product manufacture, roof and wall sheeting, aluminium products, automotive and machinery parts
- Transport equipment manufacture
- Electrical equipment manufacture
- Appliance manufacture
- Ship and boat building
- Jewellery manufacture
- Electrical/electronic equipment manufacture
- Industrial machinery manufacture
Aeroskills
The major areas in the aeroskills area are:
- Aircraft structures
- Aircraft mechanical
- Avionics
It should be understood that the industry does not only cover the manufacture of these products but also includes the design, installation, commissioning and repair of products in all of the stated areas.
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