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.

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

It is essential that the polymer and additive properties be understood and the chemistry behind these properties can be explained. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to predict appropriate polymers and additives from the required properties of a product.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see thatselections made can be justified.

Assessment method and context

Assessment will occur using industrial polymers and typical/actual applications and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

using appropriate, industrial polymers and typical/actual applications

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 polymerisation process and polymer characteristics sufficient to enable the selection of polymers with appropriate base properties.

Knowledge of organization standard procedures and policies. Knowledge of the relevant regulatory requirements and national/international standards along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the job.

This unit assumes a knowledge of basic chemistry, including atomic structure, molecular weight, periodic table, ionic and covalent bonding, intermolecular bonding, hydrogen bonding, structure of organic compounds, functional groups and typical reactions, saturated and unsaturated compounds, aromatic compounds, hydrolysis and addition reactions.

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

property changes caused by different mechanisms and conditions for addition polymerisation

typical processing conditions for typical polymers such as polythene

property changes caused by using bulk, suspension, solution and emulsion addition polymerisation

property changes caused by different mechanisms for condensation polymerisation

the formation of cross-linked polymers

the properties of cross-linked polymers

impact of polymerisation process on polymer properties

impact of polymer structure on polymer properties

modifications to plastics

test methods

properties and applications of polymers

the impact of tacticity on addition polymer properties

the property changes caused by different copolymer structures

the influence of molecular structure on chain regularity

the difference between polymer reinforcements and polymer composites.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires high level literacy and numeracy.

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.

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.

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