Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices. It requires the ability to measure self-usage of resources effectively, follow predetermined environmentally sustainable work practices, identify and report on breaches and suggest improvements to work activities that will contribute to environmental sustainability and reduce negative environmental impacts.

The unit is the first of three hierarchical service industry units that describe varying levels of participation in work practices that contribute to environmental sustainability. It is equivalent to GCSSUS01A from the Generic Guideline units for Sustainability.

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

Application of the unit 

This unit describes a fundamental skill necessary to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices within the service industries and applies to the full range of industry sectors and environments.

It has particular application to the retail, sport and recreation, accommodation, tour operating and attractions sectors and to those tourism products and services that are delivered in environmentally sensitive areas and which promote environmentally sustainable messages. Many would be nature or ecotourism-based experiences.

All personnel at all levels could apply this skill, but it does describe a basic operational function of minimal complexity.

Application of the unit  (continued )

The unit applies to frontline operational personnel who operate under close supervision and guidance from others during the normal course of their daily activities. They would apply little discretion and judgement because they operate within the predefined organisational procedures for their individual participation in environmentally sustainable work practices.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

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

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Identify current resources used within the workplace.

1.1

Identify workplace environmental and resource efficiency issues .

1.2

Identify resources used in own work role.

1.3

Measure and document current usage of resources using appropriate techniques .

1.4

Identify and report workplace environmental hazards to appropriate personnel.

2

Comply with environmental regulations.

2.1

Follow procedures to ensure compliance .

2.2

Report breaches or potential breaches to appropriate personnel.

3

Seek opportunities to improve resource efficiency.

3.1

Follow enterprise plans  to improve environmental practices and resource efficiency.

3.2

Make suggestions  for improvements to workplace practices  in own work area.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

• ability to recognise procedures, follow instructions and respond to change
• communication skills to enable questions and seek clarification relating to environmentally sustainable work practices and to propose and report on suggested improvements to work practices that promote environmental sustainability
• literacy and numeracy skills to interpret workplace policies, plans and procedures that relate to use of resources and the organisation's environmental sustainability practices
• ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

• broad understanding of environmental sustainability and the means by which it can be implemented by organisations and individuals in the workplace
• awareness of legislation and regulations imposed by relevant land management agencies and federal, state or territory, and local governments and their relevance to the particular industry sector and workplace
• how to access industry codes of practice, standards and accreditation scheme requirements, and working knowledge of their contents and organisational compliance requirements
• working knowledge of environmental and resource hazards, risks and inefficiencies associated with the particular industry sector and workplace
• relevant environmental and resource-efficiency systems and organisational procedures for own work area
• reporting procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• project or work activities that show candidates' ability to identify and integrate environmentally sustainable principles into their work practices and to follow predetermined procedures
• ability to participate in the improvement of environmental and resource-efficient work practices at own level of responsibility
• knowledge of the principles of environmental sustainability and means by which they can be incorporated into the workplace.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• project or work activities that show candidates' ability to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices within operationally-realistic service industry environments and within the context of the particular industry sector and business type in which they are working or seeking work
• access to current regulatory documents distributed by key federal, state or territory, and local government agencies such as plain English legislative publications
• access to industry codes, standards and accreditation scheme documentation that outline principles and practices for environmental sustainability and resource-efficient approaches
• access to organisational policies and procedures that relate to resource usage, measurement and reporting and general environmental sustainability practices.

Methods of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• evaluation of written or verbal reports prepared by the candidate on resource use, measurements of usage, inefficiencies and suggestions for improvements
• evaluation of checklists on workplace environmental hazards and risks completed by the candidate
• project activities and problem-solving exercises to allow candidates to identify resource inefficiencies and environmental impacts and apply improved approaches to their own workplace operations
• evaluation of written or verbal reports that outline suggested measures to reduce environmental impacts of the organisation
• written and oral questioning or interview to assess knowledge of environmental regulatory requirements, contents of industry codes of conduct and methods for reducing environmental impacts and improving environmental sustainability of operations
• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other operational units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Environmental and resource efficiency issues  may include:

• minimisation of environmental risks and maximisation of opportunities to improve business environmental performance, including:

• minimisation of waste through implementation of the waste management hierarchy
• efficient energy use, seeking alternative sources of energy
• efficient water use
• modelling environmentally efficient workplace practices.

Appropriate techniques  may include:

• examination of invoices from suppliers
• analysis of resource orders placed and resource audits
• observation of usage
• measurements made under different conditions
• examination of relevant information and data
• monitoring equipment.

Compliance  may include:

• meeting relevant federal, state or territory, and local government laws, by-laws and regulations
• meeting the requirements of industry codes of conduct to which the organisation subscribes
• meeting the requirements of industry accreditation schemes to which the organisation subscribes.

Enterprise plans  may include:

• documented policies and procedures
• work plans to minimise waste and increase efficiency of water use
• endorsement of accepted industry codes of practice developed by industry associations.

Suggestions  may include ideas that help to:

• prevent and minimise risks and maximise opportunities, such as use of solar or other alternative forms of energy where appropriate
• reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
• reduce use of non-renewable resources
• improve energy efficiency
• increase use of renewable, recyclable, reusable and recoverable resources.

Workplace practices  may involve:

• administrative, purchasing and product planning activities
• personal services
• purchasing stock, equipment and supplies
• disposal of waste, which can include waste disposal associated with large events as well as that from the workplace
• communicating with suppliers, clients and colleagues
• catering and provision of food and beverage
• organising and managing activities relevant to the operations of the enterprise
• providing advice to customers on risks to the environment and how to reduce these.

Sector 

Cross-Sector

Competency field 

Environmental Sustainability