Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1) Scope: 

1.1) Descriptor 

This unit covers methods for keeping up-to-date with developments in electrotechnology-adopted technologies, standards and safety that affect the currency of competencies held. It encompasses accessing relevant information and skills and using formal and informal ways of acquiring this information and skills.

Application of the Unit 

2) 

This competency standard is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training at the AQF level of the qualification in which the unit is first packaged or higher.

The unit may be selected as an elective from the relevant schedule (see qualification packaging rules) provided that all prerequisite units are undertaken or addressed through recognition processes.

This unit may be included in a skill set provided that it is listed in the schedule of electives (see Qualification Framework) and all prerequisite units are undertaken or addressed through recognition processes.

Delivery and assessment of this unit should be undertaken within regard to the requirements of License to Practice (1.2 above), Prerequisite Competencies and Literacy and Numeracy skills (2 above) and the  recommendations for concurrent assessment and relationship with other units (9.5 below).

Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to occupational health and safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships.

Note:
1. Compliance with permits may be required in various jurisdictions and typically relates to the operation of plant, machinery and equipment such as elevating work platforms, powder operated fixing tools, power operated tools, vehicles, road signage and traffic control and lifting equipment. Permits may also be required for some work environments such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.
2. Compliance may be required in various jurisdictions relating to currency in First Aid, confined space, lifting, risk safety measures etc.

License to practice 

3)  

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a license in the relevant discipline to practice in the workplace. Also, practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to occupational health and safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships.

Prerequisite Unit(s) 

4)  

Competencies 

4.1) 

There are no prerequisite competencies for this unit.

Literacy and numeracy skills 

4.2)  

Participants are best equipped to achieve competency in this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 'Literacy and Numeracy'

Reading

4

Writing

4

Numeracy

4

Employability Skills 

5) 

This unit contains 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 of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6)  Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Prepare to apply methods to maintain currency of industry developments

1.1

Areas of work activity that may be affected by outdated methods and knowledge are identified.

1.2

Information and advice is sought on the effects of current legislated requirements on work outcomes.

1.3

Sources of information related to technical and regulatory developments are investigated.

2

Apply methods to maintain currency of industry developments

2.1

Methods are used to ensure that the application of OHS policies complies with current regulations, codes and practices.

2.2

Methods are used to ensure technical aspects of work undertaken are aligned to current practices and comply with current regulations.

2.3

Methods are used to ensure managerial aspects of work undertaken are aligned to current practices and comply with current regulations.

2.4

Formally recognised methods for maintaining currency of industry developments are identified and applied.

2.5

Maintenance of current knowledge and practices for the work undertaken is documented in accordance with formally recognised processes.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and applying methods to maintain currency of industry developments.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

KS01-EE006B Requirements and methods for maintaining currency in industry developments 

Evidence shall show an understanding of requirements and methods for maintaining currency in industry developments to an extent indicated by the following aspects:

• Requirements to maintain currency in industry practices and products encompassing:

• Regulatory
• Industry
• Professional/Association
• Other

• Sources of information in industry changes and new developments encompassing:

• Legislation and regulation
• Technical Standards
• Codes and industry/work practices and processes
• Manufacture’s product catalogues and instruction manuals
• Industry Journals
• Safety and environmental issues

• Currency of technology, machinery, equipment and tools applications and uses
• Acceptable methods of formally maintaining currency

• Note.
• 1. Examples are formal industry refresher programs, industry seminars, product promotion programs and the like.
• 2. Acceptable methods may vary in different jurisdictions

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9)  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.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this unit. It must be used in conjunction with all parts of the unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9.1) 

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the industry-preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accordance with industry and regulatory policy.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Sources of evidence need to be 'rich' in nature to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal everyday work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its 'richness'. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

9.2)  

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites must be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated performance criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the 'Assessment Guidelines - UEE07'. Evidence shall also comprise:

• A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices, including the use of risk control measures as specified in the performance criteria and range statement
• Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the performance criteria and range statement
• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit. It may be required by some jurisdictions that RTOs provide a percentile graded result for the purpose of regulatory or licensing requirements.
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

• Demonstrated consistent performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

• Apply methods to maintain currency of industry developments in 8) and including:

A

Identifying areas of work affected by outdated methods and knowledge.

B

Using methods to ensure current OHS practices are applied.

C

Using methods to ensure technical aspects of work are aligned to current practices and comply with current regulations.

D

Using methods to ensure managerial aspects of work undertaken are aligned to current practices and comply with current regulations.

E

Applying formally recognised methods to maintain currency of industry developments.

F

Documenting maintenance of current knowledge and practices for the work undertaken appropriately.

G

Dealing with unplanned events by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in a holistic assessment with the above listed items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

9.3)  

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed in this unit.

These should be used in the formal learning/assessment environment.

Note:

Where simulation is considered a suitable strategy for assessment, conditions for assessment must be authentic and as far as possible reproduce and replicate the workplace and be consistent with the approved industry simulation policy.

The resources used for assessment should reflect current industry practices in relation to applying methods to maintain currency of industry developments.

Method of assessment 

9.4)  

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 'Assessment Guidelines'.

Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units 

9.5) 

For optimisation of training and assessment effort, competency development in this unit may be arranged concurrently with unit:

UEENEEE018B

Establish, maintain and evaluate OHS systems

RANGE STATEMENT 

10)  This relates to the unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the performance criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This unit shall be demonstrated in relation to applying methods to maintain currency of industry developments in any electrotechnology discipline in which work is undertaken.

Generic terms used throughout this Vocational Standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms that apply are given in Volume 2, Part 2.1.

Competency Field 

11) 

Electrotechnology