Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1) Scope: 

1.1) Descriptor 

This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to facilitate effective workplace communication.

Application of the Unit 

2) 

This unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training.

License to practice 

3)  

The skills and knowledge described in this unit do not require a licence to practise in the workplace. However, 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) 

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed.

There are no pre-requisite units.

Literacy and numeracy skills 

4.2)  

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following levels. A description of what each level entails is provided in Section 2.3.1 Language, Literacy and Numeracy.

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

Employability Skills 

5)  

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 competency standard unit

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

Plan and prepare for communication

1.1

Communication requirements are identified from interpretation of probable work requirements and customer service activities

1.2

Communication network is established to ensure reliable, expeditious and cost effective communications in accordance with enterprise/site requirements

1.3

Communications network is monitored and modified as required in accordance with enterprise/site requirements

1.4

Where appropriate, the teams and individuals roles and responsibilities within the team are identified and, where required, assist in the provision of the on-the-job training

2

Facilitate team communications

2.1

Briefings and meetings are scheduled as required in accordance with enterprise/site requirements

2.2

Team members are encouraged to participate in the creation of an environment in which all views are aired and considered in accordance with enterprise policy

2.3

Team members are encouraged to present points of view in a clear, concise and logical manner accepting the need for rational and productive debate

3

Determine team views

3.1

Team point of view is agreed to in accordance with enterprise policy

3.2

Decisions and outcomes are conveyed to all team members in accordance with enterprise policy

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 facilitating effective workplace communication.

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

The extent of the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills required follows:

KS01-PO338B Effective workplace communication

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired for safe working practices of:

T1 Relevant environmental, occupational health and safety legislation and regulations

T2 Enterprise procedures

T3 Document writing principles

T4 Enterprise communication equipment and procedures

T5 Enterprise documentation procedures

T6 Enterprise meeting agenda requisites

T7 Enterprise recording procedures

T8 Enterprise communication procedures

KS02-PO338B Effective workplace communication

Specific skills needed to achieve the Performance Criteria:

T1 Interpret instructions

T2 Write meeting minutes

T3 Communicate effectively.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9)  This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9.1) 

Longitude 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’s 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 accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

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. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day 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 pre-requisites shall 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 – UEP12”. 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 6) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

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

• Knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational Health and Safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures
• Planning and preparing for communication
• Facilitating team meetings
• Communication procedures
• Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the 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 by this unit.

Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of work.

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment’, evidence should show competency working, in limited spaces, with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structural/construction types and methods and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment 

9.4) 

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Section 1.3.00 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) 

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed.

Nil

RANGE STATEMENT 

10)  This relates to the unit of competency 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.

Communications may include face to face discussions, letters, telephone, facsimile, time sheets, radios, e-mail, memos, workshop/toolbox meetings and approved enterprise proformas.

Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Section 2.1 Preliminary Information and Glossaries.

Competency Field 

11)  

Operations.