Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1 )

1 .1 ) Descriptor 

This competency standard unit requires the worker to undertake methods of work practice that minimises energy and material usage and to seek energy reduction strategies in the workplace. The unit seeks to minimise negative impacts on the environment.

Application of the Unit 

4 )

This competency standards unit shall apply to persons entering work in electrotechnology and may be used in school based vocational programs.

1 .2 ) License to practice 

The skills and knowledge described in this unit do not require a licence to practice in the work place. However practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to occupational health and safe and contracts of training such as new apprenticeships and the like.

Note:
1. Compliance with permits may be required in various jurisdictions and typically relates to the operation of plant, machinery and equipment such as elevating work platforms, powder operated fixing tools, power operated tools, vehicles, road signage and traffic control, lifting equipment and the like. Permits may also be required for some work environments such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus, site rehabilitation and the like.
2. Compliance may be required in various jurisdictions relating to currency in first aid, confined space, lifting, risk safety measure and the like

Prerequisite Unit (s )

2 )

2 .1 ) Competencies 

There are no prerequisite competencies for this unit.

Employability Skills 

3 )

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6 ) Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Plan and prepare to apply sustainable work practice

1.1

Activities are planned and prepared for to ensure OHS policies and procedures are followed with the work appropriately sequenced in accordance with requirements

1.2

Appropriate personnel are consulted to ensure the work is co-ordinated effectively with others involved

1.3

Materials are obtained and checked in accordance with established procedures and to comply with requirements

1.4

Location in which activities are to be undertaken is determined from requirements

1.5

Materials necessary to complete the work are obtained in accordance with established procedures and checked against job requirements

1.6

Workplace environmental risks and resource efficiency issues are identified

2

Apply sustainable work practice

2.1

OHS policies and procedures for undertaking administrative functions are followed

2.2

Activities are undertaken in accordance with requirements to implement techniques which produce energy reduction directly or indirectly

2.3

Unplanned events or conditions are responded to in accordance with established procedures

2.4

Approval is obtained in accordance with established procedures from appropriate personnel before any contingencies are implemented

2.5

On-going checks of the quality of the work are undertaken in accordance with established procedures

2.6

Work is carried out efficiently without unnecessary waste of materials or damage to the surrounding environment, while using sustainable work practices which minimise wastage of energy and materials either directly or indirectly

3

Complete the application of sustainable work practice

3.1

Documentation/reports are completed to ensure detailed promotional activities requirements are met

3.2

Suggestions are made for improvements to workplace practices to minimise energy and materials wastage

3.3

Completion is notified in accordance with established procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and participating in environmentally sustainable work practices.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

The extent of the essential knowledge and skills required is given Volume 2 Part 2, Clauses:

2.18.1

Occupational Health and Safety principles

2.20.22

Environmentally sustainable work practice

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9 ) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria and the range statement of the unit of competency and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9 .1 )

Longitude competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry's preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be 'rich' in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its 'richness'. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

9 .2 )

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

The evidence on which competency in this unit is based shall be considered holistically for each element on at least two occasions comprising:

• A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the performance criteria and range; and
• Apply sustainable work practice principles and practices as specified in the performance criteria and range; and
• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit. It may be required by some jurisdictions that RTOs provide a percentile graded result for the purpose of regulatory or licensing requirements. and
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment; and
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures; and

• Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

• Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices as listed in the Range statement' and including:

A

Apply sustainable work practice in daily work activities

B

Dealing with unplanned events by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Note:
Successful completion of relevant vendor training may be used to contribute to evidence on which competency is deemed. In these cases the alignment of outcomes of vendor training with performance criteria and critical aspects of evidence shall be clearly identified

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

9 .3 )

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this competency standard unit.

Resources required to assess this unit are listed above in Context of assessment', which should also be used in the formal learning/assessment environment.

Note:

Where simulation is considered a suitable strategy for assessment it must ensure that the conditions for assessment are authentic and as far as possible reproduce and replicate the workplace and is consistent with the approved industry simulation policy.

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency in participating in environmentally sustainable work practices.

Method of assessment 

9 .4 )

This competency standard unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 "Assessment Guidelines".

Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this competency standard unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units 

9 .5 )

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit.

RANGE STATEMENT 

8 ) This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the performance criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This competency standard unit shall be demonstrated in relation to participating in environmentally sustainable work practices in any of the following disciplines:

• Appliances
• Business equipment
• Computers
• Data Communications
• Electrical
• Electrical Machines
• Electronics
• Fire protection
• Instrumentation
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
• Renewable / sustainable energy
• Security technology

Generic terms are used throughout this Vocational Standard shall be regarded as part of the Range of Variables in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms that apply are given in Volume 2, Part 2.1.

2 .2 ) Literacy and numeracy skills 

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and maths skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 "Literacy and Numeracy"

Reading

3

Writing

3

Maths

3

Competency Field 

5 )

Renewable and Sustainable Energy