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

The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.

These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.

Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.

All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.

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

Competency must be demonstrated through sustained performance over time, at an appropriate level of responsibility and authority under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise, is required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Resources may include:

a real work environment

relevant documentation such as:

enterprise business plan

manufacturer instructions and operations manuals

regulatory requirements

workplace policies and procedures

relevant equipment and materials.

Method of assessment

Recommended methods of assessment include:

a third-party referee report of sustained performance at appropriate level of authority and responsibility

assignment focusing on understanding and application of principles and theory to workplace operations

workplace projects which focus on company environment and conditions.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment

A current list of resources for this unit of competency is available from MINTRAC www.mintrac.com.au or telephone 1800 817 462.

Required skills

Ability to:

apply relevant communication and mathematical skills

communicate and negotiate clearly, ethically and effectively with a range of representatives (e.g. internal personnel, government agents, financial agencies, distributors, export control agencies, brokers, customers) and other stakeholders

determine and obtain resources required to support new market strategy

establish infrastructure requirements for new market

evaluate and report market entry performance

evaluate potential and/or feasibility of new market entry

identify and apply relevant Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S), regulatory and workplace requirements

identify strategies for managing financial risk

identify the cultural requirements of the new market/clients

maintain currency of knowledge through independent research or professional development

prepare enterprise strategies and plans which include resource requirements, timelines, milestones and communication strategies

prepare, negotiate and implement strategies and action plans for entering the new market.

present reports according to legal and enterprise requirements

research potential markets including competitors, products, customers and market regulations, legislation and controls

research, collate and analyse information relating to the individual business, domestic and international context (as applicable)

take action to improve own work practice as a result of self-evaluation, feedback from others, or in response to changed work practices or technology.

use available information and communication technology and systems (e.g. forecasting software, budgets, research material) to assist planning, monitoring and reporting

use teamwork strategies to prepare work team to support new market strategy

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

purpose and features of distribution and marketing strategies

role of new markets in the achievement of enterprise goals and plans

enterprise budgetary and planning cycles and processes; methods for analysing production; and sales records and costs; and enterprise methods for estimating and forecasting sales and production requirements

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.

Market research may include:

a broad market study

a feasibility study

in depth market research.

Sources of assistance may include:

industry associations

government agencies

departments and programs (e.g. Supermarket to Asia, Aus Trade export market development grants and National Food Industry Strategy)

consulates and embassies

financial institutions

consultants.

Market characteristics include:

competition (e.g. local and other exporters)

distribution

general position of industry within target market

market access including import restrictions, licensing, tariffs, food safety regulations, transport, infrastructure, currency stability, cultural and political characteristics, legal systems, bureaucracy etc

market size, growth and patterns

packaging and labelling

product pricing, including impact of exchange rates.

Regulatoryrequirements may include:

animal welfare

AQIS notices and circulars

Australian Customs Service requirements (EXIT, ELMER, Harmonised tariff system, CALM)

commercial law including fair trading, trade practices

consumer law

corporate law, including registration, licensing, financial reporting

criteria for supply and processing of raw product/ingredient for export (inspection and certification of fresh product and ingredients)

environmental and waste management

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), anti-discrimination and sexual harassment

Export Control Act

export licensing requirements

export meat orders

food standards

importing country requirements

industrial awards, agreements

prescribed goods orders

relevant Australian Standards

relevant regulations

sales taxes and duties

state and territory regulations regarding meat processing

taxation

Trade Practices Act Part V.

Export licensing requirements may include:

sourcing of product from export licensed meat processors

inspection regimes and requirements.

Risks may include:

risks to premises

personnel

plant and equipment

breach of contract

natural disaster

food safety

intellectual property.

Market targets and performance indicators may include:

sales levels

productivity measures (e.g. economies of scale and turnover)

product quality

market share and penetration.

Communication and mathematical skills may:

be complex and relate to product and product quality, financial operations, personnel, operations, sales and turnover and exports

be formal or informal and involve personal face-to-face methods and technological/electronic methods

involve communication and information technology that may include telephone, email, internet, software including testing and analysis programs, scheduling, financial packages and data bases

involve preparation of reports which may be complex, contain information from a range of technical sources and include mathematical and graphic information and data

involve strategies that are inclusive of the cultural, ethnic and social diversity of individuals and groups

involve the use of negotiation, persuasion and assertiveness skills

occur in a variety of sensitive, conflictive, collaborative and supportive environments

relate to complex actual and hypothetical technical and financial modelling, calculations and interpretation or analysis

require analysis and presentation of complex concepts, technical information, mathematical information and other data in simple or complex formats

require the establishment of appropriate industry and information networks.

Export control agencies include:

Australian Customs Service

AQIS

Stakeholders may include:

company owners, directors, shareholders, financiers

competitors

management and employees

suppliers

customers

consumers

unions and employer associations.

Resources may include:

buildings, plant and equipment

capital and cash flow requirements, pay back periods and returns

expert advice

export quality and certified ingredients and materials

external sources of funds and assistance

human resources

financial resources

interpreters and translators

technology

administrative systems and procedures.

Establishment of infrastructure requirements may include:

negotiation with clients, contractors and service providers

observation of enterprise requirements for maintaining financial controls and product quality.

Evaluation and reporting of market entry performance requires:

analysis of sales information and financial data against budgets

preparing reports for stakeholders and for consideration in the enterprise planning cycle

setting goals and targets.

Evaluation of potential and/or feasibility of new market entry requires:

analysis of enterprise product or service range for suitability of new market

analysis of market trends

assessment of competition position of the enterprise in the selected market

assessment of enterprise capability to meet sales and production forecasts

assessment of implications for enterprise operations.

OH&S requirements may include:

enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs

hygiene and sanitation requirements

OH&S legal requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:

coats and aprons

ear plugs or muffs

eye and facial protection

head-wear

lifting assistance

mesh aprons

protective boot covers

protective hand and arm covering

protective head and hair covering

uniforms

waterproof clothing

work, safety or waterproof footwear

requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.

Workplace requirements may include:

enterprise ethical standards, values and obligations

enterprise specific procedures, policies and plans

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

work instructions.

Information may relate to the individual business, domestic and international context and include:

economic and industry trends

financial information (e.g. break even points, gross and net profit margins and projections, capital requirements, interest rates, insurance information and sources of finance)

market research and intelligence.

Technology may include:

communication systems

e-commerce systems

product tracking and trace back systems.

Teamwork strategies may include:

allocating people and other resources to tasks and workplace requirements

applying knowledge of own role as part of a team

applying teamwork skills to a range of situations

coaching, mentoring and giving feedback

identifying and utilising the strengths of other team members

listening to and resolving concerns in relation to workplace issues

solving problems individually or in teams.