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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with others about kiln operations and technical challenges

critical thinking and analytical skills to

evaluate the needs of particular work projects to establish kiln and firing requirements

research and evaluate historical and contemporary trends in kiln work

literacy skills to read kiln specifications and requirements

problemsolving skills to identify and resolve

technical and design issues in kiln work

technical firing issues

numeracy skills to

estimate costs for kilns and kiln operation

work with numerical features of kilns and firing processes including temperatures and controls

selfmanagement planning and organising skills to

evaluate needs of own practice in relation to kilns

set up a kiln and kiln work space

set up and monitor the firing process

technology skills to safely use technical features of kilns

Required knowledge

historical contemporary and emerging trends in kiln types kiln construction and kiln operation

properties and capabilities of the range of firing materials tools and equipment including pyrometric instruments

properties and specification of different kiln types

specific firing processes including required firing stages changes to materials temperature range and timing of each stage of the process

typical problems that occur with kilns and with the firing process and how they may be resolved in the context of relevant materials and art forms

sustainability considerations for kiln work

OHS requirements for the setup operation and maintenance of kilns

Evidence Required

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 ability to

apply safe work practices when using kilns

produce multiple fired craft pieces that are technically sound and free from faults arising from the firing process

prepare own firing schedules

pack and fire kilns independently

apply knowledge of kiln types and kiln operations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

a workplace or studio for the firing of craft work

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

evaluation of work produced by the candidate in terms of its technical resolution

direct observation of work in progress including exploration of and experimentation with techniques

written andor oral questioning and discussion to assess knowledge and candidates intentions and work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of thirdparty reports from experienced practitioners

Assessment methods should closely reflect work place demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUVCERA Investigate ceramic materials and processes

CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes

CUVGLAA Investigate glassworking materials and processes

CUVGLA502A Investigate glassworking materials and processes.

Range Statement

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.

Kilns may be:	electric gas pit raku salt wood.
Historical and contemporary trends may relate to:	annealing ovens enamelling kilns glass-casting kilns history and development of kilns: early Chinese, Japanese and Korean early European modern kilns primitive and tribal, including New Guinean, African, Micronesian and pre-Columbian high fire pottery kilns sculpture kilns stained glass and flat glass kilns source of energy, including fuel types, structure and configuration of different types of kilns.
Safety issues may relate to:	correct lifting techniques kiln emissions safe use of equipment specific hazards associated with: extreme heat fuels use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against dust and fibres.
Key requirements relate to:	cleaning kiln location monitoring equipment safety equipment, including PPE space around kiln storage of kiln furniture and equipment ventilation work to be fired.
Firing program requirements may include:	annealing requirements firing profile maximum temperature optimum firing time soak times.
Kiln loading and unloading requirements may relate to:	positioning of work to take account of: adequate pathways for flames even distribution of temperature ventilation of fumes and vapours props shelving stability.
Firing process may include:	firing stages, the changes at each stage, and the temperature range and time as they relate to ceramics: biscuit firing glost firing creating reduction in the clay body and the glaze causing oxidation in the clay body and the glaze maintaining a neutral atmosphere creating a primitive fired effect creating blackware raku firing saltglaze firing wood firing using saggars for support or effect firing stages, the changes at each stage, and the temperature range and time as they relate to glass: firing enamels and lustres stained glass firing bending slumping fusing kiln casting thick work complex work annealing.
Technical problems may relate to:	bloating colour issues dunting firing cracks thermal shock overfiring underfiring warping.
Information may include:	control mechanisms used firing process energy and fuel type timing.