1.5 THINGS
Working with things, manipulation of materials and processes, and cognizance of operational and mechanical forces or objects, highlights this Worker Trait Code section. None of the factors in this section are directly related to people nor call for exclusive talents whether or not they exist within the individual. However, these factors do call for the interaction and interplay between mental, sensory, physical, and mechanical skills and/or abilities as possessed by the individual. If the individual has natural mechanical savvy, and likes to work with his/her hands, this becomes a highly important and relevant Worker Trait Code section.
Robert prefers operating heavy, mobile equipment such as trucks, earth-movers, cranes, etc. More than likely, Robert either possesses or has the motivational levels required to develop the required sensory and sensory/physical skills that are primary for vocational involvement: e.g., coordination, dexterity, timing, spatial awareness: size, shape, distance, dimension, perspective, relationship; depth perception. (NOTE: These skills have a fused linkage with equipment controls so that operator and machine are one unit). Robert probably has a natural machine savvy that would allow natural ability or proper training to subconsciously link what the machine is capable of doing to operating it for excellent performance. (NOTE: This usually includes proud identification, through one’s skills, with the equipment one operates). Since this sort of work is most often outdoors or where conditions for physical comfort aren’t closely controlled, Robert’s preferences fall right in line. Mobility of work and residence is often another important factor also in line with existing preferences.
Robert’s motivations support ability to running/managing fixed machine operation, and the responsibility for machine performance, condition, output, and quality. (NOTE: This necessitates constant awareness of what is happening with the machine itself, with the processes being done by the machine, with materials going into the machine, quality of materials coming from the machine, and how and when to make adjustments and provide maintenance). A number of functions are involved and require a variety of talents that Robert either has or is motivated to learn, the most important being machine savvy, alert monitoring of operations, and coping with routine.
Manipulating is a special trait that can have a variety of important meanings depending on its interaction with many different traits. In the “things” context of this section, it means the ability with a high motivational level to manage/ handle material processing that may or may not involve machines. Basically, it is combined mental, sensory, and physical functions tied to scheduling and processing of that which is at hand. Robert has the high motivational level and perhaps even that ability (or at least the motivational level that supports training). (Note: There can be other meanings to this trait. For instance, if all other mechanical or operator factors have low motivational levels or preferences, but management of people has high levels, this factor then shows that the person is motivated to impersonally manage (manipulate) people as things at hand, as part of the process, to achieve management objectives.)
Robert is motivated toward activities involving mechanical engineering, including: 1) mechanical awareness of assembly, fabrication, operation, leverage, motion, force, and power, 2) design and/or draw technical plans, 3) technical, statistical, and numerical analysis, and 4) layout and installation. This highly motivated engineering orientation probably means professional dedication to a major engineering vocation.
Robert is well motivated for activity involving craft tools, repetitious activity, recognizable detail, variable physical conditions (temperature, elements, etc.) and minor tangible problem solving. This work is often called manual labor or basic labor to indicate that it can be done with minimum skill, training, instruction, or supervision. It is very often associated with a helper position and role.
Given the full description of any activity requiring a sensory/physical aptitude for feeding materials into machines or offbearing materials from machines efficiently and steadily, Robert’s preferences for being involved start at a moderate motivational level. Such activity is usually associated with assembly line processing. It is important to review other worker trait factors to determine if and how long Robert would remain motivated and how that level would effect tolerance, or coping with being locked in with machine-mandated performance. One must be content with this kind of activity before one can be satisfied by it or motivated to continue doing it.
Robert is moderately motivated to be responsible for technical, operational control of tolerances and quality; for attainment of precise standards and identification of defects. (NOTE: This is a very important preference in industries where production, maintenance, and repair require exact precision, high quality, and almost zero in allowable defects or error).
Robert’s motivational level supports the ability (either existing or because of pending training) to be perceptive and alert relative to monitoring operational processes by use of technical recording instruments. This includes remaining interested, alert and responsible throughout steady operational shifts. This activity could appropriately be called operational/clerical because it means monitoring what is going on.