The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this training package.

Overview of assessment

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in MSAOPS401A Trial new process or product, it may be co-assessed with this unit.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to apply an understanding of polymer materials and processing to the interpretation of trial results and making judgements about the trials in terms of the trial objectives

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that the performance of at least one type of product or process trial on a typical machine has been correctly analysed and that there is evidence that other types of analyses can also be set up, run and completed satisfactorily.

Assessment method and context

It is preferred that assessment takes place on industrial equipment in a work-like environment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

on a processing plant, allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions

in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems

by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

through a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

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

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

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.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Knowledge and understanding of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to interpret trial results and specify appropriate retrial conditions.

Knowledge of organization procedures and policies along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the job.

Application of the knowledge of managing risks using the hierarchy of controls applied to the process. Application of approved hazard control, safety procedures, the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and cleanup.

Knowledge as a basis for solving processing and material problems, including:

a thorough understanding of polymer materials and processing

calculate results from trial data

interpret trial results in terms of trial objectives

determine variations to trial procedures to overcome limitations found

interpret results in terms of product end use requirements

make recommendations for changes to materials, process and product based on trial results

trial objectives

preliminary product specifications (physical properties, size, weight, appearance)

production requirements (output, rejects, yield, practical operating window)

trial results

product quality results

production results

changes

product design and specifications

mould, die and/or tooling design and construction

material grade

machine configuration or specification

production specifications

processing parameters

retrial objectives

product quality

production requirements

variations

sample size

machine parameters

material grade changes

mould, die and/or tooling changes

machine configurations.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires high levels of numeracy and literacy with the ability to interpret technical specifications and reports. Advanced numeracy allowing the calculation and interpretation of statistics, product formulae and process conditions is also required.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry, but does require both a theoretical/mathematical and a practical analysis of the trial data.

The competency does not require knowledge of industry sectors and materials other than that in which the technician works. It assumes an understanding of the operation of all relevant equipment and processes but does not necessarily require them to be used personally.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

procedures

product specifications

trial results and data

data analysing and reporting tools (eg computer spreadsheets).

Hazards

Typical hazards include operating equipment.

Problems

'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.

Typical process and product problems may include:

new products or processes

new dies, moulds or tooling

modified equipment or components

modified or new materials.

Variables

Key variables to be monitored include production data.

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