Assessor Resource

AHCPHT503A
Manage a controlled growing environment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to the management of a horticultural production site consisting of one or several controlled growing environments. The work is usually undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress sought by senior management. Responsibility for the work of others may be involved and team coordination may be required. Management of controlled growing environments requires extensive horticultural knowledge and practical skills, particularly in plant physiology and growth needs, controlled environment systems, monitoring, reporting and forward planning.

This unit covers the process of managing controlled growing environments, and defines the standard required to: identify the growing requirements of the crop; prepare specifications for controlled growing infrastructure; develop a management plan to cover staff training, budgets, operating procedures and remedial actions; develop environmental monitoring procedures; and evaluate and document the achievements towards management objectives.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

identify the growing requirements of the crop

prepare specifications for controlled growing infrastructure

develop a management plan to cover staff training, budgets, operating procedures and remedial actions

develop environmental monitoring procedures

evaluate and document the achievements towards management objectives.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

research information using available technology

evaluate training needs

assess risk

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use 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.

Required knowledge

plant physiology and biochemistry

techniques and methods of implementing optimal growing conditions for a range of horticultural crops

controlled environmental conditions in regard to crop plant physiology, growth stages, and product quality and quantity

quality production methods and techniques for a range of controlled environment plants

legislation and regulations relating to the controlled environment systems

market requirements for crop quantity and quality

monitoring, analysis and recording systems

staff training requirements.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Plants may include:

flower

foliage crops

oil crops

vegetables

fruit

nuts

mushroom crops

containerised plants

open-rooted grown plants.

Growing environment factors may include:

relevant aspects of ambient humidity

light

growing media mean temperature

season and day length

air quality

nutrient and dissolved gas availability

toxicities and deficiencies

weeds

pests

diseases and beneficial organisms

site aspect and slope

natural and artificial water supplies.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Crop growth and production requirements are determined according to a documented production plan. 
Environmental parameters for optimal growing conditions for the specific crop are researched using available information resources. 
Controlled growing environment factors are identified, evaluated and recorded. 
Structures, machinery, equipment and resources required to control environmental conditions are identified, costed and availability confirmed. 
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and controls implemented. 
Detrimental environmental impacts associated with the controlled growing environment system are identified and controls sanctioned. 
Management objectives for controlled growing environment are determined consistent with production plan and market requirements for crop quantity and quality. 
A schedule of environmental control procedures is developed according to controlled environment management objectives. 
Staff training needs are evaluated in regard to operation and maintenance of environmental control systems, and reported. 
A budget supporting the controlled environment management plan is documented and approval sought. 
The schedule of environmental control procedures is communicated clearly to staff. 
Controlled environment indicators and thresholds for remedial action are identified for monitoring according to industry best practice. 
Monitoring frequency and schedule is developed according to the requirements of the production plan and communicated clearly to staff. 
All monitoring data is recorded, analysed and applied to management of the controlled environment system to ensure optimal plant development. 
Remedial action undertaken is documented and reported. 
Costs of the controlled growing environment system are monitored against budget. 
Budget adjustments are recorded and reported. 
Recorded information, budget data and production outputs are evaluated and operational achievements towards management objectives are documented in a report. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPHT503A - Manage a controlled growing environment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPHT503A - Manage a controlled growing environment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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