Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to develop, implement monitor and review a program to promote to stakeholders and the general community, the environmental and sustainability benefits of plantations compared to other forms of land use

General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit. Compliance with licensing, regulatory or certification requirements including Chain of custody certification may be required in various jurisdictions

Application of the unit 

The unit involves promoting plantations such as agroforestry for land rehabilitation to stakeholders and to the general community including landholders and local councils

The skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority

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 target markets

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety  (OHS ), environmental , legislative  and organisational requirements  relevant to developing and managing a promotions program  are identified and followed

1.2. Potential of program to appeal to stakeholders  is identified in terms of benefits and costs

1.3. Potential audiences of programs are evaluated

1.4. Benefits of and needs for promotions program are clarified

2. Plan a promotions program

2.1. Program purpose and objectives are defined

2.2. Promotions program is developed with appropriate outcomes in consultation with key stakeholders

2.3. Timeline  and budget are identified and checked with appropriate personnel 

2.4. Range of promotional modes and methods  to reach different target sectors are selected and documented in the plan

2.5. Range of tools and resources  appropriate to program modes and methods are developed

2.6. Necessary approvals  are sought and obtained

3. Implement promotions program

3.1. Promotions program is implemented in line with modes, methods, schedule, budget and legislative requirements

3.2. Required resources and authorisations  are obtained and coordinated in line with organisational requirements

3.3. Schedule for program is communicated to coordinating personnel

3.4. Tools and resources are provided to coordinating personnel

3.5. Processes to monitor the quality of the program are established

4. Monitor and review promotions program

4.1. Program is reviewed  to ensure compliance with organisational and legislative requirements

4.2. Communication  with coordinating personnel is maintained

4.3. Program is amended as required, to ensure objectives, quality and performance targets are met

4.4. Information  and data from completed program are analysed to determine effectiveness of program

4.5. Recommendations for future programs are prepared based on findings of analysis and consultation conducted

4.6. Program processes are recorded and reported  to appropriate personnel

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills 

• Technical skills sufficient to identify species suitable for plantation establishment for a range of soil types and climates; determine appropriate establishment techniques for a range of conditions; determine appropriate silvicultural regimes for a range of plantation types
• Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate consultative, communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues, stakeholders and community groups
• Literacy skills sufficient to accurately prepare a range of reports, documentation and submissions where precise meaning is required; present written and oral information to a wide range of individuals and groups; use and adapt complex maps and diagrams
• Numeracy skills sufficient to monitor and maintain timelines and budgets; analyse qualitative and quantitative information and data
• Problem solving skills sufficient to demonstrate time and project management
• Planning and organisational skills to coordinate the acquisition of required resources, authorisations and approvals and to develop a promotions program

Required knowledge 

• Applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for promoting plantations as a sustainable form of land use
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material
• Organisational, site and management standards, requirements, policies and processes for developing and managing a plantation promotions program
• Environmental risks and hazards
• Role of wood or waste products in generating renewable energy through biomass
• Minimising environmental impact
• Using energy effectively and efficiently
• Using material effectively and efficiently
• Species suitable for plantation establishment for a range of soil types and climates
• Types of plantation design appropriate to achieve a range of objectives
• Plantation establishment techniques
• Silvicultural regimes suitable for a range of plantation types
• Effects of plantation on soils, water quality, water quantity and biodiversity compared to other land uses
• Levels of use of fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and other chemicals compared to other land uses
• Socioeconomic impacts of plantations on rural communities
• Use and demand for plantation products nationally and internationally
• Market opportunities for plantation products, including carbon storage
• Harvesting methods suitable for a range of plantation types
• Economic benefits of plantations compared to other land uses
• Fire protection and suppression in plantations
• Established communication channels and protocols
• Problem identification and resolution strategies
• Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance
• Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks
• Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can develop, implement, monitor and review a plantation promotions program

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, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

• following applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing a plantation promotions program
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing a plantation promotions program
• developing a promotions program using consultative processes with colleagues and stakeholders to obtain inputs, and ensuring efficient and safe processes and timelines
• implementing a promotions program in line with documented plan and budget, and making adjustments to plan or program as required
• monitoring, reviewing and analysing promotions program and using findings to document improvements to future programs
• preparing and presenting a detailed report including costs, processes and analysing the findings of the program

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace
• Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
• Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
• Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements
• The following resources should be made available:

• workplace location or simulated workplace
• materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit
• specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge
• Assessment methods applicable to this unit may include direct observation of tasks with questioning of required knowledge and the completion of projects, assignments or written tests and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
• Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
• Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
• Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
• Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
• Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

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.

OHS requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• personal protective equipment and clothing
• safety equipment
• first aid equipment
• fire fighting equipment
• hazard and risk control
• fatigue management
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
• manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements  may include:

• legislation
• organisational policies and procedures
• workplace practices

Legislative requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

• award and enterprise agreements
• industrial relations
• Australian Standards
• confidentiality and privacy
• OHS
• the environment
• equal opportunity
• anti-discrimination
• relevant industry codes of practice
• duty of care
• heritage and traditional land owner issues

Organisational requirements  may include:

• legal
• organisational and site guidelines
• policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
• quality assurance
• procedural manuals
• quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
• OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
• ethical standards
• recording and reporting requirements
• equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
• environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
• access and equity principles and practices

Promotions program :

must communicate the benefits of tree plantations as an alternative land use, to people including:

• landholders
• local government (councils)
• general public

and may be:

• used to provide advice on a range of matters relating to plantation management including:

• objectives of plantation establishment
• species selection
• plantation designs
• establishment techniques
• silvicultural regimes
• maintenance
• fire protection
• market opportunities

Stakeholders  may include

• individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation who have some direct interest in the organisation's conduct, actions, products and services, including:

• customers
• employees at all levels of the organisation
• government
• investors
• key personnel within the organisation, and specialists outside it who may have particular technical expertise
• local community
• other organisations
• regulators
• suppliers

Timelines  may be:

• critical to the success of the program

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• coordinating or operational personnel
• management
• colleagues
• clients
• relevant groups

Promotional modes and methods :

• relate to promotional activities

and may include:

• literature
• self-help material
• field demonstrations
• field inspections
• lectures
• workshops
• field days
• brochures
• information sessions
• individual consultations
• multimedia material

Resources  may include:

• people
• materials
• equipment

Approvals  may be:

required by:

• environmental bodies
• local, State/Territory and federal government bodies and agencies

and may include:

• long-term budget approvals

Authorisations  may include:

• permits, approvals and licences relating to use of resource material

and may relate to:

• use of existing plantations for demonstration purposes

Reviewing  may include:

• checking compliance with:

• OHS, organisational, legislative and environmental regulations
• specified procedures, practices and precautions

• reporting on specifications, quality, performance targets
• checking that documentation is completed and submitted as required

Communication  may include:

• regular communication with the operations and coordinating personnel to ensure smooth progress of the promotions

Information  may relate to:

• extent and methods of promotions used
• numbers and categories of people exposed to the promotions
• numbers of enquiries received about plantation establishment before and after the promotions program
• numbers and types of new plantations established before and after the promotions program
• direct feedback from people exposed to the promotions program

Records and reports  may include:

• difficulties or issues faced during development and implementation of the promotions program
• recommendations for future work
• results
• costs
• data analysis

and may be:

• manual
• using a computer-based system or another appropriate communication system

Competency field 

Forest Growing and Management