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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to source and estimate materials for an engineering operation, including interacting with the supply chain. It includes planning and estimating supplies and integrating purchasing into operations. This includes working individually and as part of a team and recognising and complying with normal control procedures on engineering projects.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

plan for materials resourcing

estimate quantities, source and evaluate materials suppliers

develop tender and contract documents, materials requirement and purchasing schedule, purchasing budgets, and performance indices for materials supply chain

participate, communicate, cooperate, and negotiate with stakeholders on policy and procedures development and implementation

monitor supply of materials against contract requirements and key performance indicators (KPIs)

contribute to organisational management processes, and materials supply chain management.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, or a combination of both on and off the job. The candidate should have access to a workplace where the engineering-related production or project processes and volume of materials used enable the materials sourcing skills covered by this unit to be realistically assessed. Where part of assessment occurs off the job a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

planning for materials resourcing

estimating quantities, sourcing and evaluating materials suppliers against operations or project, specifications, drawings and bill of materials

cooperating, communicating and negotiating effectively within team and functional groups, customers and suppliers

monitoring and evaluating purchasing budget, expenditure and cash flow, sourcing of materials, sustainability implications, supply agreements and suppliers for quality, capacity and flexibility, conformance to regulatory requirements and test procedures

using materials sourcing and planning software packages

contributing to organisational management processes and materials supply chain management

developing or using materials supply tender and contract documents

interpreting materials requirement and purchasing schedule, purchasing budgets, and performance indices for materials supply chain

coordinating responses to budget and delivery supply threats related to materials purchases

participating in setting and implementing supplier payment policies

implementing systems thinking, concurrent engineering, continuous improvement, contingency and constraint management, problem solving and decision making

determining implications for materials sourcing of WHS, risk management, codes of practice, and sustainability policy and requirements

reporting and documenting results of evaluations, tender analysis, and so on

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

planning procedures for materials resourcing in the context of operations, project, strategic and business plans and budgets

use of systems and software packages to assess materials requirements information, data processing, bill of materials, estimating, supplier database and purchasing budget control

systems for cost estimation and planning, value engineering, feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, life cycle costing and valuation

supply chain management and value analysis, performance indices or parameters, and monitoring processes

tender and contract documents, supply agreements, quality and delivery parameters, and terms of payment

supply chain communications, feedback on quality, supply chain efficiency and continuous improvement processes

sustainability policy and procedures

WHS, regulatory and risk management requirements with particular emphasis on handling and use of resources

WHS and regulatory compliance requirements, material safety data sheets (MSDS), test results, and risk management related to handling and storage

use of systems thinking, constraints and contingency management, problem solving and decision making, and continuous improvement techniques

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.

Sustainability implications

Sustainability implications for sourcing and estimating materials in engineering or engineering-related operations may include taking account of:

resource consumption

energy consumption and conservation

processing needs

minimisation and processing of waste

transport

distribution

life cycle

reuse, recycle and disposal

Materials

Materials covered by this unit are those required for the ongoing production or performance of an engineering-related project or operation and must meet an engineering specification and for which the delivery must be coordinated with a production or project schedule. The materials will typically be subject to formal supplier agreements or contracts and delivery is to specified cost, times, quality and quantities

Supplier performance

Supplier performance may include:

cost

delivery reliability

conformance to quality and quantity specifications

conformance to contract and regulatory requirements

participation in efficiency improvement processes

flexibility

Software packages

Software packages may include:

spreadsheets

databases

word processor

presentation

project management and cost control

system control and data acquisition (SCADA), MRPII and enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Systems thinking

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain

Constraints and contingencies

Contingencies and constraints may include:

financial

sudden changes to schedules or delivery by a supplier

organisational, procedural or cultural

physical constraints, such as limits to resources, limits to site access or logistical limitations

Continuous improvement implementation

Improvement processes may include techniques, such as:

balanced scorecard

current and future state mapping

measuring performance against benchmarks

process improvement, problem solving and decision making

data management, generation, recording, analysing, storing and use of software

training for improvement systems participation

technical training

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Standards and Codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and applicable codes

MSDS

Organisations using or storing hazardous substances or dangerous goods are required to maintain a MSDS and dangerous goods register. Manufacturers or importers of hazardous substances are obliged to provide an MSDS whenever the substances are first supplied to a customer