Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to read and interpret permaculture designs, and coordinate and schedule resources for the establishment of a permaculture system in either a rural or urban environment.

The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work, including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources, and complete routine activities.

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

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Permaculture (PER)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has established a permaculture system in at least one of the following situations:

• urban
• rural.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

• interpreted permaculture designs and plans and prepared resources
• coordinated and scheduled tasks with work team and stakeholders
• prepare site for installation of elements of design
• installed elements according to schedule
• monitored the system during establishment
• recorded and reported on completion of permaculture system
• complied with workplace health, safety and environmental procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• principles of permaculture and practices, including:

• principles of permaculture and practices in a rural environment
• principles of permaculture and practices in an urban environment
• zone and sector analysis

• elements within permaculture systems, including:

• integrated animal and plant systems
• common infrastructure elements

• water storage and management, including:

• water tanks, dams and other storage systems in rural and urban environments
• water harvesting from land and structures
• soil and subsoil water storage
• installing irrigation and drainage systems, including swales, diversion drains, mulch-pit paths
• collection and storage of nutrients

• coordination and basic management skills, including:

• communicating with team members, supervisors, contractors and consultants
• identifying work tasks from plans and specifications
• scheduling and sequencing work
• monitoring work performance against standards and specifications
• health and safety and environmental policies, procedures and regulations

• zone and sector analysis, including:

• consideration of the frequency of use and intensity of need of elements in the system
• consideration of the spatial requirements of elements in the system
• mutual benefit and connections between zones
• consideration of the specific needs of the location of the system in terms of climate, access, slope, potential for wildfire, flood, tsunami or other catastrophic force
• consideration of the neighbouring or local environment, its need, products and intrinsic features

• establishment of permaculture elements, including:

• elements which together form a system
• species chosen for their functions in the overall system, including plants, animals and objects
• elements chosen for mutual benefit
• elements that address important functions, including energy, water, food and fuel
• elements that support the needs of the system within the overall design

• objectives of the plant system establishment program, including:

• end use
• time constraints

• plant and animal cultural requirements, preparation for installation and procedures and follow-up care
• environment and habitat requirements of animal species
• identification of pests, diseases, parasites, and deficiencies that can affect plants and animals during establishment and their treatment
• soils and soil amelioration techniques
• native species and their value in a permaculture system.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• skills must be demonstrated for a site proposed for a permaculture system specified in the performance evidence or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• permaculture tools, equipment and machinery
• plants, animals and infrastructure elements of the design
• safety equipment

• specifications:

• workplace procedures and processes
• manufacturer operating instructions for equipment and machinery
• design, plans and specifications
• specific permaculture principles and practices

• relationships:

• team member and contractors

• timeframes:

• according to time specified in schedule.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72