Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce ceramic work through the exploration and application of a range of techniques, tools, equipment and materials. As such the range of techniques could be quite varied and broad in nature. It is a specialisation unit and refers to a specific art form. This work would usually be carried out under limited 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:

• CUVCOR03B Develop, refine and communicate concept for own work
• CUVCOR08B Produce drawings to represent and communicate the concept
• CUVCOR12B Review history and theory and apply to own work.

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

• CUVCRS08B Document the work progress
• CUVCRS14B Prepare, store and maintain 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 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 and safety requirements.

2 Explore ceramic techniques to plan work .

2.1 Assess the capabilities of techniques , tools, equipment and materials for different types of ceramic work.

2.2 Use and/or combine different techniques, tools, equipment and materials to determine and extend capabilities .

2.3 Determine the conceptual vision  for the proposed ceramic work based on exploration of different techniques  or from supplied information.

2.4 Establish criteria for the selection of techniques  to meet the conceptual vision.

2.5 Select techniques based on the conceptual vision.

2.6 Plan work, identifying work processes and resource requirements.

3 Realise ceramic work .

3.1 Organise the resources required for the production of the proposed ceramic work based on the plan of work.

3.2 Safely use and adapt techniques, tools, equipment and materials appropriately to realise the conceptual vision.

3.3 Identify potential different approaches that may enhance the final work and incorporate these into the work process.

Required Skills and knowledge 

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

Required skills :

• literacy skills sufficient to read product safety labels
• numeracy skills sufficient to calculate quantities and determine layout issues.

Required knowledge :

• the physical properties and capabilities of the range of materials, tools and equipment used in ceramic work
• work space requirements for ceramic work, including ways of organising and maintaining space
• ways of exploring, adapting and combining techniques and materials to achieve different effects in ceramic work
• general knowledge of the formal elements and principles of design and their specific application to the production of ceramic work
• cleaning and maintenance techniques for tools and equipment used in ceramic work
• general knowledge of the historical and theoretical contexts for ceramic work
• awareness of copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues

• environmental issues associated with the tools and materials 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 selected techniques and which is consistent with the conceptual vision
• knowledge of materials and tools and how they are used and extended 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 multiple pieces of ceramic work or a single major work.

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 ceramic work in progress
• questioning and discussion of the candidate's intentions
• verbal and written 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 ceramics 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, toothbrushes
• carving tools
• knives/blades
• rolling pins or other rollers
• spatulas
• tape measures.

Equipment  may include:

• banding wheel
• gas or electric kiln
• kiln furniture and equipment
• protective clothing
• raku kiln
• wood fired kiln.

Materials  may include:

• glazes
• oxides
• range of clays.

Ceramic work  may include:

• fired and non fired clay work
• hand formed work (bowls, plates, vessels)
• mixed media work
• mural
• sculptural work and constructions
• tiles
• wearable objects, e.g. head and neck pieces, anklets, bracelets.

Workplace procedures  may relate to:

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

Safety requirements  would be in accordance with:

• Federal, State and Territory legislation, regulations and standards.

Organisation and maintenance  of the work space may relate to:

• dust extraction
• light
• ventilation
• wet and dry areas.

Assessing the capabilities of the techniques , tools and materials involve:

• producing test pieces or samples
• systematically testing a range of processes.

Extending capabilities  of techniques refers to:

• exploring the potential of techniques and discovering new ways of using techniques.

The conceptual vision  may be determined by:

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

Within this unit the candidate would generally extend, build upon and combine a range of techniques  which may include:

• applied surface treatment (inlay with other clays, oxides, glazes)
• firing techniques
• hand forming (pinching, coiling and slab, slab-roll methods)
• moulding
• slip casting
• subtract surface treatments (incising, impressing, stamping, piercing).

Criteria for the selection of techniques  may relate to:

• access to materials, tools and equipment for the techniques
• consistency with the conceptual vision for the proposed ceramic work
• ease of application of the techniques
• personal affinity with the techniques.