Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Research common engineering workshop equipment and processes

1.1

Identify sources of professional, technical and trade assistance

1.2

Identify common processes and techniques for working, shaping and joining metal, alloys and others materials

1.3

Identify common engineering hand and power tools and their applications

1.4

Identify common workshop equipment and applications

2

Identify resources required to manufacture a simple engineered item

2.1

Interpret design information from drawings and instructions

2.2

Select processes and techniques appropriate to task and level of skill

2.3

Identify required tools, equipment, material and services

2.4

Prepare a simple work plan showing operational sequences, work priorities and optimal use of time and resources

3

Use workshop equipment and processes to manufacture a simple engineered item

3.1

Correctly prepare materials and equipment for the required operations

3.2

Use tools and machines safely and correctly

3.3

Follow work health and safety (WHS) procedures, standard operating procedures and supervisor instructions are correctly

3.4

Obtain assistance from appropriate persons in the event of problems and difficulties

3.5

Follow safe work practices and procedures

3.6

Implement hazard control measures, where practicable

3.7

Complete item manufacturing and check against specifications and work plan

3.8

Clear work area of scrap and waste

3.9

Clean work and secure equipment and work area according to standard procedures

4

Assess workshop equipment and processes to technical engineering activities and engineering design process

4.1

Justify selected workshop processes in terms of design criteria

4.2

Assess selected tools and equipment for process safety and efficiency

4.3

Evaluate task and workshop processes against typical technician work activities

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

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• reading, confirming and following information on written job instructions, manufacturer specifications, standard operating procedures, charts, lists, drawings and other applicable reference documents
• identifying hazards and applying safe work practices and risk control measures
• communicating with appropriate persons
• following oral instruction and standard procedures
• applying numeracy, calculations and measurements within the scope of this unit
• accurately transferring dimensions to work pieces
• planning and sequencing tasks
• safely operating machines, hand tools and power tools
• setting up machines and tooling for basic operations

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• task planning and sequencing of operations
• marking out tools, techniques and media
• common measurement tools and techniques
• allowances and tolerances
• common engineering materials
• common hand tools and their applications
• common fixed and portable power tools and their applications
• common engineering machine operation
• common workshop techniques, such as hand and machine cutting, drilling, tapping, grinding, machining, welding, bending and shaping, and assembly
• workshop and machine safety, hazard identification and hazard control
• work holding methods
• basic tooling identification
• speeds and feeds
• machine set-up and operation
• cutting fluids and basic operational maintenance of machines
• assembly and fixing techniques, tools and accessories

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 plan and safely and efficiently undertake the manufacture a simple item using a range of hand and power tools and workshop machinery.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

• prepare a basic work plan
• identify and prepare selected materials and equipment
• apply manual workshop techniques using a range of hand and power tools
• use common engineering workshop equipment and machinery to complete individual parts of a project
• assemble the component parts of a given project using a range of joining techniques
• complete work requirements to specification
• follow WHS procedures and hazard control strategies at all times.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations.
• The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
• Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
• Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering 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 underpinning knowledge.
• Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
• 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 not only able 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 where required.

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.

Appropriate persons 

Appropriate persons will vary according to the nature of assistance and advice required and may include:

• supervisor
• leading hand
• foreman
• trainer/coach
• technicians
• tradespersons
• engineers

Engineering processes and techniques 

Engineering processes and techniques include:

• hand and machine cutting
• drilling
• tapping
• grinding
• machining
• welding
• bending and shaping
• assembly using a variety of fasteners and hand tools

Hand and power tools 

Hand and power tools may include:

• screwdriver
• spanners
• hammers
• files
• jigs
• cutting tools
• scribers
• chisels
• centre punches
• measurement instruments
• gauges
• portable drills
• pedestal or bench grinder

Workshop cutting and machining equipment 

Workshop machining and cutting equipment may include:

• cut-off machines
• surface grinders
• drills
• lathes
• mills
• planers
• fuel gas cutting torch

Fabrication equipment 

Fabrication equipment may include:

• nibblers
• metal shears
• guillotines
• pedestal drills
• power saws
• rivet fastening equipment
• pan brake
• press brake
• universal metal working machine

Welding equipment 

Welding equipment includes:

• hoses, welding leads, gas shrouds, gas regulators, liners and contact tips – gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
• welding leads, welding machines and electrode holder – manual metal arc welding (MMAW)
• fuel gas and handheld thermal cutting equipment (thermal cutting)

Preparation of materials and equipment 

Preparation of materials and equipment may include:

• marking out
• preheating
• cleaning
• setting up jigs and fixtures
• clamping
• tooling preparation, including basic sharpening
• machine settings

Safe work practices and procedures 

Safe work practices and procedures include:

• relevant legislation
• personal protective equipment
• material safety management systems, including use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• hazardous substances and dangerous goods code
• local safe operating procedures
• correct disposal of:

• liquid waste
• solid waste

• minimisation, suppression and venting of gas, fume, vapour, smoke emissions, including fugitive emissions, as appropriate
• avoiding excessive energy and water use
• avoiding excessive noise
• awareness of safe proximity limits and shielding procedures to other personnel
• working safely around machinery
• working safely with tools and equipment
• risk and hazard recognition
• emergency procedures
• awareness of electrical hazards
• first aid sources and procedures for the workplace

Standard operating procedures 

Standard operating procedures may include:

• the use of tools and equipment
• instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs
• reporting and communication
• manufacturer specifications and operational procedures
• emergency procedures

Elements of the engineering project 

Elements of the engineering job may include:

• tool and equipment selection
• sequencing of operations
• techniques and processes
• conformance to specifications
• material types
• quantities produced

Technical work activities 

Technical work activities may include:

• design
• production
• quality assurance
• product testing
• purchasing
• commissioning
• scheduling
• planning
• drafting

Competency field 

Unit sector 

Engineering technician