Assessor Resource

FWPFGM3206
Plan and implement non-commercial thinning operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to control non-commercially thin species growing on site, to maintain the health of the stand, improve productivity and long-term sustainability, and ensure maximum growth vigour to optimise product outcome. It includes treatment with chemicals and the use of mechanical equipment.

The unit applies to a variety of work settings, including: forest environments, farms, agriculture operations, nurseries and local councils.

The unit applies to Forestry technician, Nursery technician, Supervisor (Forestry operations), Tree planter, Silviculturist, Arboriculture technician.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Plan thinning operations

1.1 Review and assess relevant plans and site information for thinning operations.

1.2 Identify sample area and measure growth.

1.3 Plan level of overwood treatment accounting for habitat or seed tree considerations.

1.4 Plan thinning operation methods in line with budget and resources and confirm with appropriate personnel.

1.5 Seek and obtain necessary approvals.

2. Implement thinning operations

2.1 Obtain and coordinate required resources and equipment and authorisations in line with organisational requirements.

2.2 Organise schedule for operations with appropriate personnel.

2.3 Mark trees for treatment in line with plan and organisational procedures

2.4 Establish and maintain communication with others to coordinate work and keep work site safe.

2.5 Coordinate thinning operations in line with plans, budget, OHS, environmental and legislative requirements.

2.6 Monitor and adjust operations in line with site conditions to ensure effective and efficient work and minimal damage to stand.

3. Review thinning operations

3.1 Review operation against relevant plan and organisational and environmental requirements.

3.2 Analyse information to determine effectiveness of thinning operations and possible improvements to future operations.

3.3 Prepare recommendations for future operations, based on assessment of information collected.

3.4 Record and report operation activities and results to the appropriate personnel.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

plan a non-commercial thinning operation to achieve one or more of the following:

work to maintain the health of the stand

improve productivity and long-term sustainability

provide for end product mix requirements

manage notifiable weeds.

and that includes:

identified and measured areas to be thinned

use mechanical and chemical methods to thin forest growth effectively

monitor non-commercial thinning operations to ensure safe and efficient work practice and minimal damage to stand

review operations and use findings to document improvements to future operations.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

workplace procedures and site standards for planning and implementing non-commercial thinning operations

environmental protection requirements relevant to planning and implementing non-commercial thinning operations

methods and products used for thinning operations including one or more of the following:

felling

poisoning

sapringing

ringbarking

processes for managing risks and hazards associated with thinning operations

relevant biology and stand dynamics for the species

common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies for the species being thinned

common weed and herbicide interactions

tools and equipment used for non-commercial thinning operations, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

authorisations and approvals processes including:

permits

approvals

licenses relating to neighbouring sites or properties

hours of operation

use and application of chemicals.

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.

The following resources must be made available:

mechanical equipment for thinning operations

chemicals for thinning operations

site with growth to be non-commercially thinned

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

workplace requirements and site standards for planning and conducting non-commercial thinning operations.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Plan thinning operations

1.1 Review and assess relevant plans and site information for thinning operations.

1.2 Identify sample area and measure growth.

1.3 Plan level of overwood treatment accounting for habitat or seed tree considerations.

1.4 Plan thinning operation methods in line with budget and resources and confirm with appropriate personnel.

1.5 Seek and obtain necessary approvals.

2. Implement thinning operations

2.1 Obtain and coordinate required resources and equipment and authorisations in line with organisational requirements.

2.2 Organise schedule for operations with appropriate personnel.

2.3 Mark trees for treatment in line with plan and organisational procedures

2.4 Establish and maintain communication with others to coordinate work and keep work site safe.

2.5 Coordinate thinning operations in line with plans, budget, OHS, environmental and legislative requirements.

2.6 Monitor and adjust operations in line with site conditions to ensure effective and efficient work and minimal damage to stand.

3. Review thinning operations

3.1 Review operation against relevant plan and organisational and environmental requirements.

3.2 Analyse information to determine effectiveness of thinning operations and possible improvements to future operations.

3.3 Prepare recommendations for future operations, based on assessment of information collected.

3.4 Record and report operation activities and results to the appropriate personnel.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

plan a non-commercial thinning operation to achieve one or more of the following:

work to maintain the health of the stand

improve productivity and long-term sustainability

provide for end product mix requirements

manage notifiable weeds.

and that includes:

identified and measured areas to be thinned

use mechanical and chemical methods to thin forest growth effectively

monitor non-commercial thinning operations to ensure safe and efficient work practice and minimal damage to stand

review operations and use findings to document improvements to future operations.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

workplace procedures and site standards for planning and implementing non-commercial thinning operations

environmental protection requirements relevant to planning and implementing non-commercial thinning operations

methods and products used for thinning operations including one or more of the following:

felling

poisoning

sapringing

ringbarking

processes for managing risks and hazards associated with thinning operations

relevant biology and stand dynamics for the species

common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies for the species being thinned

common weed and herbicide interactions

tools and equipment used for non-commercial thinning operations, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

authorisations and approvals processes including:

permits

approvals

licenses relating to neighbouring sites or properties

hours of operation

use and application of chemicals.

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.

The following resources must be made available:

mechanical equipment for thinning operations

chemicals for thinning operations

site with growth to be non-commercially thinned

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

workplace requirements and site standards for planning and conducting non-commercial thinning operations.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
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
Review and assess relevant plans and site information for thinning operations. 
Identify sample area and measure growth. 
Plan level of overwood treatment accounting for habitat or seed tree considerations. 
Plan thinning operation methods in line with budget and resources and confirm with appropriate personnel. 
Seek and obtain necessary approvals. 
Obtain and coordinate required resources and equipment and authorisations in line with organisational requirements. 
Organise schedule for operations with appropriate personnel. 
Mark trees for treatment in line with plan and organisational procedures 
Establish and maintain communication with others to coordinate work and keep work site safe. 
Coordinate thinning operations in line with plans, budget, OHS, environmental and legislative requirements. 
Monitor and adjust operations in line with site conditions to ensure effective and efficient work and minimal damage to stand. 
Review operation against relevant plan and organisational and environmental requirements. 
Analyse information to determine effectiveness of thinning operations and possible improvements to future operations. 
Prepare recommendations for future operations, based on assessment of information collected. 
Record and report operation activities and results to the appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPFGM3206 - Plan and implement non-commercial thinning operations
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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

FWPFGM3206 - Plan and implement non-commercial thinning operations

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:

Date: