Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers extension work at a level meriting international recognition where sustained exceptional performance allows a major contribution to be made towards improved productivity and sustainability in one or more industries. It includes designing extension initiatives, preparing for innovation and change management, creating innovation and change, and monitoring and evaluating the adoption of innovation and change.

In practice, creating innovation and change through extension overlaps with other generalist or specialist work activities such as influencing ethical practice, influencing strategic policy, undertaking strategic risk management, leading change management etc.

This is a new unit of competency, added to the Government Science &Technology  Competency field of the Training Package in 2004.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements are the essential outcomes of the unit of competency.

Together, performance criteria specify the requirements for competent performance. Text in bold italics  is explained in the Range Statement following.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 . Design extension initiatives 

1.1 Extension issues are identified and analysed and extension initiatives are developed to address required organisational outcomes

1.2 Extension objectives  are developed to make a significant contribution to the industry in accordance with organisational and client needs

1.3 Leadership is provided to extension colleagues, decisions are influenced and directions are monitored and changed in accordance with emerging requirements

1.4 The capacity and capability of client target groups  to accept information and change are determined, and extension methodology is developed to influence them in accordance with organisational requirements

1.5 Issues relating to intellectual property are identified and exploited in accordance with organisational requirements

2 . Prepare for innovation and change management 

2.1 Extensive industry experience, collaboration with national and international networks and cutting edge professional expertise  are used to influence client decision making and industry practices

2.2 Industry, economic and political analyses are conducted to strategically manage risk, resistance to change  and other contingencies in accordance with program responsibilities , extension objectives and organisational requirements

2.3 Leadership is provided in the development of innovative change management  strategies that will make a significant contribution to the implementation of improved decision making and industry practice

2.4 Risks  are determined and risk management strategies are developed and implemented in accordance with change management strategies and organisational requirements

2.5 Investment is attracted for significant extension programs and is managed in accordance with organisational and funding body requirements

3 . Create innovation and change 

3.1 Leadership is provided to influence the adoption of innovation and change, and to manage contingencies in areas of strategic importance or significant economic impact

3.2 Expert advice  is provided on the basis of specialised knowledge of problem identification and problem solving processes and techniques relating to information and technology transfer

3.3 Extension campaigns are implemented and managed at state and regional level in accordance with organisational priorities

3.4 Industry problems are identified and analysed, solutions are negotiated and issues requiring further research are identified and actioned in accordance with organisational requirements

4 . Monitor and evaluate adoption of innovation and change 

4.1 Adoption of innovation and change is evaluated and strategies are developed and implemented to improve future outcomes

4.2 Outcomes are evaluated and reported against extension objectives and required organisational outcomes in accordance with organisational requirements

4.3 Outcomes with political/policy implications are identified and advice and policy development is influenced in accordance with organisational requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Skill requirements 

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

demonstrating strategic leadership in the context of extension work

using facilitation and presentation strategies

applying information management in the context of extension activities

using a range of communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

using problem solving to overcome resistance and develop professional relationships of trust

reading and interpreting scientific research information, designing materials using different media for different audiences, and influencing innovation and change problem solving

using technology for materials preparation and monitoring outcomes

applying occupational health and safety and environmental requirements related to working in a scientific/technological research environment

Knowledge requirements 

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

local, national and international industry (extensive knowledge and experience)

advanced extension methodology

principles of change management

participatory processes in the context of extension activities

group dynamics and group processes

community development principles

research principles and methodology

evaluation processes relating to extension outcomes

national and international innovation in extension methodology and practices

the scientific area (broad understanding)

specialist area of expertise

legislation, public sector standards and organisational code of practice as they relate to work in a scientific research/technological environment

occupational health and safety, environmental protection and other public sector legislation

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together 

• Pre -requisite units  that must be achieved prior to this unit: Nil 
• Co -requisite units  that must be assessed with this unit: Nil 
• Co -assessed units  that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

PSPETHC701A Lead and influence ethical practice in the public sector

PSPMNGT701B Provide strategic direction

PSPMNGT702A Influence and shape diversity management

PSPMNGT703A Lead and influence change

PSPPOL701A Influence strategic policy

Overview of evidence requirements 

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

• the knowledge requirements of this unit
• the skill requirements of this unit
• application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
• demonstration of leadership across a range of (3 or more) complex extension activities of state/national/international significance effecting change at whole of industry level (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment 

These resources include:

• legislation, procedures, guidelines and protocols
• industry information at state, national and international level
• risk management strategies for extension work
• case studies and workplace scenarios to capture a range of complex extension experiences

Where and how to assess evidence 

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

• a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when creating innovation and change through extension, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
• demonstration of leadership across a range of (3 or more) complex extension activities of state/national/international significance effecting change at whole of industry level (or occasions, over time)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

• people with disabilities
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• women
• young people
• older people
• people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

• case studies
• portfolios
• projects
• questioning
• authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment 

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics  in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Objectives 

• will typically relate to entire large industries of significant economic impact such as wool, wheat industries

Client target groups may include 

• industry and community groups
• Local, State or Commonwealth government organisations
• general public
• farmers
• agri-business

Demonstration of cutting edge professional expertise may occur through 

• seminars
• lectures
• demonstrations
• reports
• published material in international journals
• publications
• publicity/media campaigns
• published material in peer reviewed publications
• policy change

Resistance to change may be 

• extreme, where sustained exceptional performance is required to effect change

Responsibilities may include 

• industry development on a whole of (large) industry basis such as wool, wheat industries
• influence on new or emerging industries of significant economic impact
• dealing with situations where risks are extreme
• dealing with extreme resistance to change
• dealing with politically sensitive issues

Change management may include 

• major contribution to influencing change at state/national/international level

Risks 

• may be extreme for the agency/industry sector
• may entail significant opportunity lost if innovation/change is not effected

Advice may include 

• aspects of industry:
• productivity
• efficiency
• environmental sustainability
• crop
• livestock
• pasture production
• marketing
• feed, food and fibre processing
• soil conservation
• water conservation
• irrigation
• drainage
• farm management
• group management advice
• community development advice
• strategic planning advice
• and may relate to deeper systems issues that may need to change

Competency field 

Government Science&Technology