Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the functions required to prepare for, implement and review wool harvesting, clip preparation and classing, and defines the standard required to: determine and schedule staff and resources; implement relevant legislative requirements associated with the shearing industry including employment agreements and awards; monitor the supply of sheep and wool flow; review and evaluate operational performance and clip preparation standards; provide feedback to grower on the shearing operation and the preparation and classing of the clip.

Application of the unit 

This unit covers the functions required for a wool classer to prepare for, implement and review wool harvesting and clip preparation in different sheds and clip types.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and implement wool harvesting and preparation operations

1.1. Flock owner/manager is consulted about their requirements and informed of any planning issues taking into account weather and environmental issues.

1.2. Order of mobs is determined for wool harvesting and preparation according to enterprise requirements.

1.3. Staffing needs are determined by negotiation with grower/contractor according to clip type, enterprise requirements, legislative requirements, employment agreements and awards.

1.4. Staff duties are allocated and staff given directions where necessary.

1.5. The shed equipment and materials are arranged in accordance with shearing plan, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and the quality management system.

1.6. Wool harvesting and preparation plan is implemented and adjusted as required.

2. Implement plan and monitor work flows

2.1. Sheep numbers, mob cut outs and shearing speeds are monitored to match wool preparation capacity.

2.2. Shed staff are supervised to maintain a clear board and throw fleeces correctly.

2.3. Non fleece wool is removed and prepared as directed.

2.4. Shed staff are directed to use appropriate skirting strategies, and fleece to skirting ratios is monitored.

2.5. Directions are issued to staff to close off bins and lines for mob cut outs.

2.6. Wool harvesting and preparation team is managed to comply with quality management system requirements.

2.7. Compliance with enterprise and legislative requirements including OHS, animal welfare, industrial, and environmental practices are monitored.

2.8. Staff performance is managed and direction is provided where necessary.

3. Supervise wool pressing

3.1. Presser is instructed on pressing strategies to reduce mixed bales while meeting code of practice requirements for uniformity in bales.

3.2. Presser is informed of order for pressing and procedures to minimize contamination.

3.3. Rate of build up in lines is monitored by consulting with wool presser.

3.4. Bale weights are monitored to ensure efficiencies are achieved for the grower without creating overweight bales.

3.5. Bales are branded in line with code of practice requirements.

3.6. Wool book is monitored to ensure it is up to date, accurate and legible.

4. Provide feedback to grower on classing strategies, clip performance and wool harvesting and preparation operations

4.1. Staff performance in clip preparation is reviewed.

4.2. Feedback is provided on classing strategies, clip preparation in relation to mob characteristics, skirting ratios, bale weights and any workflow issues.

4.3. Possible improvements to wool handling facilities are reported.

4.4. Equipment effectiveness and maintenance requirements are reported.

4.5. Lines made and bale details are explained in relation to mob characteristics.

4.6. Feedback is provided on lotting advice.

4.7. Wool clip documentation is completed and presented to grower for signature.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• plan and implement wool harvesting and preparation operations
• organise and schedule staff and work tasks
• supervise staff and monitor productivity
• identify and remove potential workplace hazards
• implement risk management strategies
• monitor environmental impacts and implement control measures
• use written and oral information about workplace and legislative requirements
• calculate resources and bale weights for mob cut outs
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• supervisory procedures with regard to operations and personnel
• staff management including team building and conflict resolution
• wool industry codes of practice and quality systems
• industry requirements with regard to hygiene and safety for wool harvesting and preparation facilities and equipment
• weather conditions and its effect on wool harvesting
• planning and implementation processes
• completing workplace documentation
• employment agreements, awards, processes and requirements
• legislative requirements including OHS, industrial, animal welfare and environment.

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 

In order to confer competency, evidence must prove that the candidate is able to:

• determine and schedule staff and resources,
• implement relevant legislative requirements associated with the shearing industry including employment agreements and awards
• monitor the supply of sheep and wool flow
• review and evaluate operational performance and clip preparation standards
• provide feedback to grower on the shearing operation and the preparation and classing of the clip.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Clip types may include:

• those that are harvested and prepared including:

• merino
• crossbred
• other breeds.

Activities may include:

• preparing for, implementing and reviewing wool harvesting
• clip preparation and classing
• the range of scale of operation may vary from one stand to greater than 10 stands and applies to all wool that can be offered through the auction system.

Unit sector 

Wool

Co-requisite units 

Competency field