Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of maintaining shearing performance and defines the standard required to: prepare and set up equipment to maintain shearing output; assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment; maintain speed and accuracy; maintain control, coordination, rhythm and output during shearing.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to shearing of sheep to professional level and is performed independently while working as part of a shearing team.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Maintain shearing control, coordination and rhythm

1.1. Maintain consistent rhythm for 8-hour working day.

1.2. Maintain coordination of footwork to assist control and blows placement for 8-hour working day.

1.3. Analyse eye to hand coordination to optimise consistent blow placement.

2. Maintain shearing output

2.1. Shearing output and quality are maintained to meet expectation of the grower, contractor and self in terms of shearing conditions.

2.2. Shearing output and quality are maintained in terms of minimum industry output requirements and minimum industry quality requirements.

2.3. Evaluate current stamina/fitness program, including eating, exercise, back care, fluid intake and rest periods, for means of improvement maintaining shearing performance.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and implement risk controls
• prepare and set up equipment to maintain optimum shearing output
• maintain application of improved techniques
• maintain speed and accuracy
• assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment
• maintain control, coordination, rhythm and output during shearing
• work in a team as a team member
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
• shearing machinery required and their relative functions
• industry agreed shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing
• safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep
• anatomy of all types of sheep
• animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep
• sheep behaviour
• personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used
• Federal Pastoral Industry Award and/or State Shearing Award of Queensland or Western Australian Shearing Contractors Award.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• prepare and set up equipment to maintain shearing output
• assess and monitor the shearing conditions and environment
• maintain speed and accuracy
• maintain control, coordination, rhythm and output during shearing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Breeds of sheep may include:

• all ages and genders of sheep including:
• rams
• ewes
• wethers
• lambs
• hoggets
• stags.

Unit sector 

Shearing

Co-requisite units 

Competency field