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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

access, interpret and comply with a range of environment/sustainability legislation and procedural requirements relevant to daily responsibilities

identify and report on current resource usage measurements and inefficiencies identified and suggest opportunities for improvements

follow organisation information to participate in and support an improved resource efficiency process and report as required

identify and report environmental hazards/risks in the workplace and suggest opportunities for improvements.

The skills and knowledge required to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Industry sectors can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries; aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments; zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities, animal technology facilities, veterinary practices or similar workplacesor similar workplaces.

There must be access to the relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

make suggestions for the more efficient use of resources

participate in workplace meetings and discussions related to environmentally sustainable work practices

recognise procedures and follow instructions

report environmental resource hazards and risks

support changes to work practices that support environmental and resource efficiencies

literacy skills to read and interpret information relating to resource usage; follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate, measure and record resource usage

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to assess appropriate environmental work practices and prioritise daily tasks.

Required knowledge

basic environmental sustainability principles

environmental and resource hazards and risks associated with the animal care sector in which the individual works

environmental laws, regulations and standards and why they are relevant to the work context and animal care and management industries

procedures and processes relevant to the individual's work area that support environment and resource efficiencies

procedures for reporting environmental and resource hazards and risks, and environment and resource efficiencies and inefficiencies.

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.

Environmental and resource efficiency issues may include:

minimisation of environmental risks and maximisation of opportunities to:

improve business environmental performance

promote more efficient production and consumption of natural resources

this may be achieved by:

minimising waste by implementing the waste management hierarchy

efficient energy and water use

seeking alternate sources of energy

efficient animal feeding practices.

Appropriate techniques may include:

examination of invoices from suppliers to compare per unit cost of product or service

examination of relevant information and data:

labelling of contents

place of origin and manufacture

efficiency rating tables

measurement of resource consumption under a range of conditions.

Environmental hazards may include:

inappropriate use and disposal of animal treatment products, cleaning agents and chemicals

inappropriate disposal of animal, feed or organic waste or deceased animals

poorly maintained machinery and equipment

poor infection control practices

poor workplace vector management processes.

Compliance may include meeting the requirements of:

federal, state and territory environmental legislation such as:

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000

state and territory environmental protection authorities and agencies

local government by-laws and regulations, including regional land and water management plans and animal control regulations.

Organisationplans may include:

documented policies and procedures including infection control and biosecurity plans

environmental management system

work plans, including those relating to minimising waste and increasing the efficiency of water use.

Suggestions may include ideas that help to:

increase use of renewable, recyclable, reusable and recoverable resources

maximise opportunities, such as the use of solar or other alternative forms of energy, where appropriate

prevent and minimise risks

reduce emissions of greenhouse gases

reduce use of non-renewable resources.