Modification History
Release |
Comments |
Release 1 |
This Unit first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0 |
Unit Descriptor
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage the maintenance and location of hardware.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to frontline technical support personnel who are required to manage organisational hardware assets, maintaining both them and their records.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Element |
Performance Criteria |
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish safe work practices |
1.1 Determine, record and apply relevant legal requirements and OHS standards to the installation and maintenance of computer hardware 1.2 Determine, record and apply requirements specified by hardware manufacturers 1.3 Determine, record and apply safe work practices , taking into account legal and manufacturer requirements |
2. Establish location requirements for hardware and peripherals |
2.1 Determine and apply suitable environmental conditions for hardware and peripherals 2.2 Determine and apply system protection devices where appropriate 2.3 Determine and apply requirements when moving hardware 2.4 Determine and apply suitable storage principles for hardware and associated peripherals and media |
3. Establish maintenance practices |
3.1 Determine maintenance requirements specified by the equipment manufacturer 3.2 Produce maintenance schedules 3.3 Perform diagnostic functions, including replacing suspect components with other serviceable components and reloading associated software 3.4 Determine whether unserviceable components are replaceable through warranty, replacement or upgrade 3.5 Perform diagnostic functions using the operating system (OS) and third-party diagnostic tools |
4. Determine appropriate hardware quality standards |
4.1 Consider and apply business requirements in respect of hardware matters 4.2 Determine and apply quality standards to the selection of appropriate hardware and associated peripherals |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
- communication skills to provide advice and guidance to others
- literacy skills to:
- comprehend basic workplace documents and technical information
- determine whether unserviceable components are replaceable through warranty, replacement or upgrade
- interpret user manuals and help functions
- problem-solving skills to address common operational problems with computer hardware
- safety-awareness skills to work safely in regard to the specific hardware
- technical skills to:
- diagnose hardware problems
- reload software
- replace suspect components
- reload associated software
- select appropriate hardware for a given situation
- set up and maintain hardware
- undertake diagnostic procedures using OS and third-party diagnostic tools.
Required knowledge
- range of quality levels in current common hardware
- importance of maintenance
- OHS principles specific to mains-powered equipment
- potential environmental effects of common types of hardware
- security issues:
- viruses
- worms
- software related to hardware operations
- system hardware and associated peripherals’ functions.
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 |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the ability to:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure access to:
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Method of assessment |
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
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Guidance information for assessment |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
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 standards may include: |
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Hardware may include: |
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Safe work practices may include: |
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Environmental conditions may include: |
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System protection devices may include: |
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Peripherals may include: |
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Equipment may include: |
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Maintenance may include: |
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Components may include: |
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Software may include: |
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Operating systems may include: |
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Business requirements may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Systems administration and support