Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to apply basic carpentry skills to the construction of sets within any production in the cultural industries. As such it focuses on the particular A person working under supervision would generally undertake this role. Skills working with hand and power tools would be required to complete this unit.

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

Application of the unit 

People assisting with the construction of sets in the screen, media and entertainment industries apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. In this role they use hand and power tools, and a range of materials and techniques, to create simple set elements such as flats and treads. At this level their work would be closely supervised.

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. Select equipment and materials for set construction

1.1. Liaise with supervisor to determine the nature of set construction  requirements

1.2. Correctly identify and select appropriate materials  for set construction in accordance with supervisor's instructions

1.3. Calculate correct quantities of materials required and minimise waste where possible

1.4. Select appropriate equipment and tools in accordance with materials being used and type of set construction required

2. Use set construction techniques

2.1. Correctly use techniques  to construct set elements

2.2. Complete the set construction process in a logical manner

2.3. Follow appropriate safety procedures throughout the set construction process in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements 

2.4. Work cooperatively with other team members to ensure efficiency and quality in the set construction process

2.5. Identify any problems with the set construction process promptly and take appropriate action within the scope of individual responsibility

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• literacy skills sufficient to interpret safety instructions
• numeracy skills sufficient to calculate quantities and take measurements

Required knowledge 

• terminology used in set construction, including types of scenery, joints and fixing systems
• stage geography terminology
• particular types of materials used for set construction, rationale for selection of these materials and their properties, applications and durability
• particular techniques used in set construction and rationale, including common types of joints and assembly techniques
• safety issues associated with the construction of sets, including various fireproofing techniques for different materials
• format and meaning of technical drawings used to inform set construction
• organisational and legislative occupational health and safety requirements, in particular with regard to safe manual handling techniques and working with hazardous substances

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 following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• understanding of the properties, applications and durability of different types of materials that can be used to make set elements
• correct and safe use of techniques to construct simple set elements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• practical demonstration of skills through construction of set elements on more than one occasion
• completion of set construction tasks within realistic workplace timeframes.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• direct observation of the candidate using techniques to construct set elements
• evaluation of items constructed by the candidate in terms of quality finishing and appropriate structural soundness
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of set construction and stage geography terminology
• portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

• materials, tools and equipment required to construct simple set elements
• a workspace in which construction can take place.

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.

Set construction  techniques at this level would generally involve construction of the following:

• braces
• doors built into a flat
• flats
• flown pieces
• treads
• windows built into a flat

Set materials  may include:

• adhesives
• craftwood, Masonite, plywood
• fabric
• fasteners
• fibreglass, canvas and other fabrics
• metal products, e.g.: bars, tubes, sheets, moulded or cast metal
• paper
• particle board
• plastics, e.g.: moulded
• sheet
• timber
• timber products

Appropriate techniques  may include:

• fastening
• gluing
• joining
• metalworking, e.g.: welding, cutting
• timber construction techniques, e.g. cutting

Occupational and public health and safety legislative requirements  may include:

• Commonwealth, State and Territory occupational health and safety regulations
• relevant local government legislation and regulation
• relevant national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - sets

Co-requisite units 

This unit has linkages with a range of other general building and construction units and set construction units. It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following units:

CPCCCM1005A

Carry out measurements and calculations

MEM18001C

Use hand tools