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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to document key information

critical thinking and analytical skills to assess areas of risk

literacy skills to document operational information

planning and organising skills to organise storage and stock control

problemsolving skills to monitor situations and adjust actions accordingly

numeracy skills to use stock control systems and make basic calculations

technical skills to use appropriate handling and storage

Required knowledge

origin of the types and forms of opal

types of cutting styles

procedures for handling and storing opal

areas of risk of theft

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

identify explain and apply safe and appropriate procedures for the handling and storage of rough or cut and polished opal

evaluate the areas where there is risk of loss and theft and follow risk minimising procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

various samples of rough and cut opal

recording materials

storage locations

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

observation of processes and procedures

oral andor written questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills

evaluation of the final product

review of portfolios of evidence

review of thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by candidate

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace 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

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.

Types of rough opal may include:	composite natural opal – doublets, triplets, mosaic and chip opals natural opal type 1 – opal in one piece in its natural state apart from cutting and polishing natural opal type 2 – opal naturally attached to the host rock – boulder opal natural opal type 3 – opal intimately diffused as infilling in pores or between the grains of the host rock; matrix opal varieties of opal: (N1 to N9 represents gradation form black to white in approximately 10% intervals) black – opal which shows a play of colour within or on a black or very dark body tone (N1, N2, N3, N4) dark – opal which shows a play of colour within or on a dark body tone (N5, N6) light – opal which shows a play of colour within or on a light body tone (N7, N8, N9).
Appropriate storage conditions and locations may include:	depending on the value: in safe or in designated locked cupboard display boxes and pockets display cases individually bagged humidified atmosphere safes and deposit boxes.
Ways in which damage might occur may include:	dehydration exposure to halogen lights extremes of temperature general wear and tear immersion in water rough handling surface damage and scratching.
Preventative measures may include:	humidifying atmosphere keeping in bags.
Areas of risk may include:	lack of documentation misplacement theft.
Strategies for minimising risk and safeguarding opal may include:	alarm systems banks (deposit boxes) display cases insurance lighting photographing safes scanning security locks systematic approach to storage and handling thorough recording and documenting use of standard procedures for handling, storage and documentation.
Stock control system may be:	manual or electronic very simple in the case of small businesses.
Stock may be:	cutting and polishing consumables equipment for production cutting rough or cut opal.