Unit of competency details

Release 1

New unit

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.

1

Interpret product requirements

1.1

Determine requirements of final products

1.2

Determine requirements of reinforcing

1.3

Select appropriate process to be used to fabricate product

2

Select most appropriate reinforcing for job

2.1

Compile specification of required reinforcing properties

2.2

Compare required properties with specifications of available reinforcing

2.3

Select most appropriate reinforcing

3

Evaluate selected reinforcement

3.1

Fabricate a sample using the selected reinforcing and nominated resin system

3.2

Conduct/organise for relevant tests

3.3

Evaluate process evaluation test (PET) results

3.4

Review match of PET results with product requirements

3.5

Review fabrication process

3.6

Make any required changes to reinforcing or process

4

Fabricate product

4.1

Identify and control hazards

4.2

Prepare selected reinforcing, as required

4.3

Lay reinforcing in correct direction, as appropriate

4.4

Mix nominated resin system, as required

4.5

Fabricate product using selected process

4.6

Minimise waste

4.7

Review product compared to requirements

4.8

Review reinforcing selection and fabrication process

4.9

Identify areas for improvement and take appropriate actions

4.10

Complete any required documentation/reporting

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

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• interpreting quality control and quality assurance requirements
• interpreting specifications

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• coloured fibres
• fibre types, costs and source (e.g. country/company)
• life cycle assessment
• types of weave
• types of material
• non-woven reinforcing (e.g. unidirectional, milled and chopped)
• how you buy reinforcing (e.g. toe, strands, gsm, width and weight in product)
• how the reinforcing is arranged
• exotic and hybrid reinforcing

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

It is essential that the process and equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

• all reasonably available reinforcing has been considered
• an appropriate reinforcing has been chosen
• the reasons for choosing the reinforcing are sound
• the product meets its required performance.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment will require the selection and use of appropriate reinforcing for specified composite jobs.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Method of assessment 

A single assessment event is not appropriate. On-the-job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible. Where assessment occurs off the job, judgement must consider evidence of the candidate's performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways, including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

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.

Procedures 

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:

• all work instructions
• standard operating procedures
• formulas/recipes
• batch sheets
• temporary instructions
• any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
• good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations

Requirements of final product 

Requirements of final product may be determined from various sources, including:

• drawings
• product specifications
• customer requests
• descriptions of required use of product

Requirements of reinforcing 

Requirements of reinforcing include:

• strength
• flexibility/rigidity
• directionality
• drape
• operating temperature

Most appropriate reinforcing 

Most appropriate reinforcing refers to that reinforcing/reinforcing combination which has:

• compliance with product requirements
• greatest ease of use in manufacture
• best financial return
• greatest sustainability contribution

Sustainability 

Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:

• survival of the ecology/physical environment – which means that an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment
• economic viability – efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business
• social sustainability – an enterprise needs to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community, including occupational health and safety (OHS)

Prepare reinforcing 

Preparing reinforcing includes:

• cutting to size/shape, as required
• any pre-treatment required

Reinforcing direction 

Reinforcing direction includes considerations, such as:

• fibre orientation
• fibre pre-forming

Logs and reports 

Logs and reports may be:

• paper or electronic based
• verbal reports
• items found which require action

Appropriate action 

Appropriate action includes:

• determining problems needing action
• determining possible fault causes
• rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
• following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
• reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Typical problems 

Typical problems may include:

• cost/benefit of different reinforcing systems
• selecting a reinforcing suited to the fabrication process

Health, safety and environment (HSE) 

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence