Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use techniques, materials and equipment for the production of ceramic work. As such the unit covers general knowledge and the application of basic techniques, which would generally be nominated by the supervisor. It is a specialisation unit and refers to a specific art form. This work would usually be carried out under supervision.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Prerequisite units 

It is highly recommended that this unit be assessed in conjunction with the following units:

• CUVCOR01B Source concept for own work or
• CUVCOR02B Develop and articulate concept for own work
• CUVCOR07B Use drawing techniques to represent the object or idea or
• CUVCOR08B Produce drawings to represent and communicate the concept.

It could also be assessed in conjunction with:

• CUVCOR11B Source information on history and theory and apply to own area of work.

Depending on the context, combined assessment and/or training with a range of other units would also be appropriate, e.g.:

• CUVCRS13B Store finished work

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare and maintain physical resources for ceramic work .

1.1 Correctly identify and select tools , equipment  and materials  required for the production of ceramic work .

1.2 Prepare, clean and maintain tools, equipment and materials in accordance with relevant workplace procedures and safety requirements.

1.3 Organise and maintain work space  so that it remains clean and safe.

1.4 Store tools, equipment and materials in accordance with relevant workplace procedures and safety requirements.

2 Use and test ceramics techniques .

2.1 Safely use techniques  for the production of ceramic work.

2.2 Use and test  nominated techniques to determine the capability of the technique and its application.

3 Produce the ceramic work .

3.1 Draw concept of the proposed ceramic work  based on own ideas or supplied information.

3.2 Correctly identify the steps and resources required to produce the proposed ceramic work.

3.3 Select appropriate tools, equipment and materials for the specific ceramic work.

3.4 Calculate correct quantities of materials required and minimise waste where possible.

3.5 Use techniques, tools and materials safely to produce the final ceramic work.

Required Skills and knowledge 

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

Required skills :

• literacy skills sufficient to read product and equipment safety labels
• numeracy skills sufficient to calculate quantities and firing times.

Required knowledge :

• general knowledge of physical properties and capabilities of the most commonly used materials, tools and equipment for ceramic work
• general knowledge of different styles of ceramic work and the work of key practitioners
• overview knowledge of the formal elements and principles of design
• introductory knowledge of the historical and theoretical contexts for ceramic work
• typical work space and equipment requirements for the production of different types of ceramic work
• cleaning and maintenance techniques for tools and equipment used in ceramic work
• awareness of copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues
• environmental issues associated with the tools, materials and equipment used in ceramic work
• organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures in relation to ceramic work.

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.

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

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• production of ceramic work which demonstrates a command of the nominated techniques and which reflects the concept
• general knowledge of tools, materials and equipment used in ceramic work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• evaluation of visual language and technical execution of work pieces produced by the candidate
• practical demonstration of skills using required tools, equipment and materials to produce a minimum of one ceramic piece.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• direct observation of work in progress
• questioning and discussion of candidate's intentions and work in progress
• written or verbal reports
• review of portfolios of evidence
• third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Assessment of this unit requires access to the materials, resources and equipment needed to produce ceramic work.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Tools  may include:

• brushes
• carving tools
• knives/blades
• rolling pins or other rollers
• spatulas
• tape measures.

Equipment  may include:

• banding wheel
• gas fired or electric kiln
• kiln equipment
• protective clothing
• raku kiln
• tongs.

Materials  may include:

• glazes
• oxides
• range of clays.

Ceramic work  may include:

• containers
• fired and non fired clay work
• mural pieces
• platters
• sculptural work
• tiles
• wearable objects, e.g. anklets, neck and head pieces.

Workplace procedures  may relate to:

• cost control
• process-specific procedures
• recycling
• reporting
• safety
• use of materials.

Work space  considerations may include:

• dust extraction facilities
• lighting
• ventilation
• wet and dry areas.

Within this unit the range of techniques  used would generally be quite limited in nature and may include:

• applied surface treatments (adding clay)
• firing techniques
• hand formed (pinching, coiling, slab, slab-roll)
• moulding
• subtracted surface treatment (incising, impressing, stamping, piercing, inlaying with other clays)
• wedging clay to remove air.

Testing  techniques may include:

• experimenting directly with work in progress
• exploring techniques by making practice pieces
• making samples applying nominated techniques.

Drawing  may include:

• drawings on paper
• drawings or markings directly on the clay
• electronic imaging.

The concept for the proposed ceramic work  may be influenced by:

• elements and principles of design
• the subject matter or theme for the work, e.g. the body; identity; land and place; political, cultural, social issues; spiritual concerns.