Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the introductory process of investigating work activities undertaken by a cross section of animal care and management businesses and evaluating employment opportunities.

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

Application of the unit 

This unit is applicable to new entrants to the animal care and management industry. Animal care may occur in a wide variety of animal care workplaces, including retail pet stores, kennels, catteries, aviaries, aquariums, shelters, zoos and others.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

Prerequisite units 

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. Identify the sectors of the animal care and related industries

1.1. Categories of animal care employment are described.

1.2. Structure of animal care industry sectors  is outlined.

1.3. Functionality  within each animal care sector is identified.

2. Profile animal care and related industries employment opportunities

2.1. Number of people employed in animal care is investigated.

2.2. General working conditions in functional areas of animal care are described.

2.3. Employment opportunities in animal care and related industries are investigated.

3. Explore animal care workplaces

3.1. Animal care industry workplaces are visited.

3.2. Instructions and relevant regulations are followed during workplace visits.

3.3. Role of staff at animal care workplaces (visited) are identified.

3.4. Specific conduct and presentation  standards required in workplaces (visited) are identified, including animal welfare  and ethics requirements.

4. Develop resume and job application

4.1. Resume and job application formats are accessed to identify required content and appropriate styles.

4.2. Draft resume and job application, targeting one of the workplaces visited, is developed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• investigate animal care industry sectors and identify a range of job roles and related responsibilities
• literacy skills to read and follow instructions related to workplace visits
• oral communication skills/language to communicate effectively with others
• numeracy skills to complete basic calculations related to animal care industry profiles
• interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds.

Required knowledge 

• basic legislative and regulatory compliance requirements in animal care workplaces
• conditions of employment in animal care sectors
• general job responsibilities in a range of animal care sectors
• general occupational health and safety (OHS) and animal welfare issues in animal care workplaces
• industry dress code and behaviour standards
• principles of animal welfare and ethics
• resume and job application formats
• structure of the major animal care industry sectors.

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.

Overview of assessment 

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

• identify the range of workplaces and employment opportunities in animal care
• determine the structure and scope of animal care industries
• identify the range of job functions and working conditions, including conduct and presentation standards, required in animal care
• evaluate employment opportunities in animal care
• develop draft resume and job application.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment of this unit will be assessed in an animal care context with access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment 

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Suggested strategies for this unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
• simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
• third-party evidence
• portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

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.

Animal care industry sectors  may include:

• animal technology, including biomedical research
• animal control and regulation
• captive animals
• companion animal services
• veterinary practices.

Functionality  within each animal care industry sector may include:

• services available in each sector
• relationships between sectors and other industries
• industry work conditions
• legislation that affects the industry
• industrial relations and employment terms and conditions
• career opportunities within the industry
• appropriate industry work ethic and quality assurance standards.

Conduct and presentation  that may be relevant include:

• conduct:

• safe behaviour when completing work tasks
• punctuality and courtesy
• cooperating with others
• following instructions

• presentation:

• personal and workplace hygiene
• wearing personal protective clothing.

Animal welfare requirements  may include:

• adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
• compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations and international conventions
• enrichment opportunities
• the absence of pests and vermin
• the compatibility of species and breeds.

Unit sector 

Animal studies

Competency field 

Co-requisite units