Assessor Resource

ICPKN318C
Apply knowledge and requirements of mail house operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit covers preparation of a person working in or dealing with a mail house and underpins all mail house units of competency packaged in the ICP31005 Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Mail House).

Workers with the ICP31005 Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Mail House) are likely to acquire most of this knowledge in production units.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to working in or deal with a mail house; that is, a working knowledge of related areas and a detailed knowledge of specific mailing, labelling and dispatching areas. It facilitates technical communication and the ability to work as a team member.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

assessor must be satisfied that sufficient knowledge and understanding of mail house operations and related production processes (as outlined in each Element) have been demonstrated so that job procedures, requirements and modifications can be intelligently discussed in some detail with a tradesperson or other skilled worker, production manager or client

successful assessment of Certificate III level mail house units of competency

evidence for assessment may be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone or through an integrated assessment activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

assessment may take place on the job, off the job or a combination of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely simulated workplace environment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.


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

OHS in relation to operating machinery such as safely switching off machinery before cleaning is started

communication of ideas and information by accurately using mail house, postal and printing industry terminology and vocabulary

collecting, analysing and organising information by understanding and applying computer driven bar code, sorting, tagging and reading systems in the workplace

planning and organising activities by understanding and applying ways of minimising material use in the workplace without affecting the quality of output

teamwork when understanding and applying the basic principles of efficient production management in the workplace in association with others

mathematical ideas and techniques by understanding and applying the information required to accurately cost jobs

problem-solving skills by adopting the most suitable printing process taking account of cost, quality and client needs

use of technology by understanding and using pre-press functions to inform production processes

Required knowledge

unit underpins all Certificate III level mail house units of competency

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.

Level of knowledge may include:

knowledge required to intelligently discuss job procedures, requirements and modifications with a tradesperson, production manager or client.

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
Printing industry terminology and vocabulary are used correctly and accurately 
New technology and new work processes are monitored and implemented when required 
Trends within the printing industry are monitored on an ongoing basis to inform personal work practices 
Job requirements and alterations are discussed with and understood by tradespersons, supervisors, production managers and clients 
Basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, OHS, environmental protection, access and equity and industrial awards are understood in relation to the workplace 
The basic principles and obligations involved in copyright, OHS, environmental protection, access and equity and industrial awards are followed in personal work practices 
Codes of practice and responsibilities regarding both paper and electronic-based products and services and direct marketing are understood and applied in personal work practices 
Legislative requirements regarding the storage of data, addressing, ownership of lists, intellectual copyright, privacy and confidentiality of information are understood and applied in personal work practices 
Mail house responsibilities in regard to the public, clients, suppliers and employees are understood and applied in personal work practices 
Limitations on size, weight and content of postal items are understood and applied in processing mail and/or parcels 
Australia Post Post Standards and Letter Pre-Sorting Standards are understood and used to inform workflow processes 
Packaging requirements for a range of products are understood and applied 
The importance of digital printing systems including inkjet, laser and offset technologies in the mail house centre are understood 
Digital data customisation is understood and is used to inform quality checks 
Advantages and applications of digital printing within a mail house are understood 
In-line processes associated with digital printing systems are understood and used to inform work processes 
The process and applications of bar coding as applied to mail house operations and services are understood 
A variety of computer driven equipment as used in typical mail house operations is understood and used where appropriate 
Computer driven bar code, sorting, tagging and reading systems are understood and applied in the workplace where appropriate 
Data management and processing systems and software are understood 
Computerised document management, design and reading systems and software are understood 
Computerised market research and listing services and associated software are understood 
Recent developments in electronic mailing and new applications of this technology are understood 
The principles and functions of image production (typesetting, scanning, camera), image combining (manual and electronic), image output (film, plates, direct to press) and digital workflow are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Pre-press functions including image classification (type, line, tone), output settings (screen rulings and angles) and output devices (film setter, plate maker, proofer) are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Conventional printing processes are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
The most suitable printing process for a variety of jobs and products, taking into account cost, quality and end user requirements is understood and used to inform decisions about printing processes where appropriate 
Capabilities and limitations of each printing process are understood and used to inform decisions about printing processes where appropriate 
Basic principles and characteristics of a variety of converting and finishing operations including guillotining, collating, folding, inserting and fastening are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Terminology suited to those working in mail house, printing and related industries is understood and applied in the workplace 
Substrates used for each printing process and the properties that make them suitable are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
The IPS system, its basis and the relationship of different paper sizes are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Different weights, callipers and finishes of substrates and how they affect mailing and converting and finishing operations are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Paper grain and how it affects pre-press, printing, finishing and mailing operations are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Ink characteristics including drying properties, fastness, gloss, opacity, tack and scuff resistance, and their effect on printing, finishing and end user requirements are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
Desirable qualities for inks, toners and coatings to ensure suitability for substrate, finishing operations and end user requirements are understood and used to inform production processes where appropriate 
The main cost elements (fixed, capital and variable) in converting and finishing production are understood and applied in the workplace 
The information required to accurately cost jobs and the means of collecting it (manual and computerised) are understood and applied in the workplace 
Ways of minimising use of materials without affecting the quality of output are understood and applied in the workplace 
Ways of maximising efficiency of capital and human resources are understood and applied in the workplace 
The types of information that need to be exchanged between different stages of production to facilitate production efficiency are understood and applied in the workplace 
Systems (manual and computerised) that can be used to exchange information are understood and applied in the workplace 
The basic principles of efficient production management are understood and applied in the workplace 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICPKN318C - Apply knowledge and requirements of mail house 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

ICPKN318C - Apply knowledge and requirements of mail house 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: