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Elements and Performance Criteria

Assess workshop requirements
Identify suppliers of machinery and consumables and establish set-up cost
Investigate resources needed to set up the workshop
- Develop a draft budget and cash flow for the first year of operation
- Use appropriate research techniques to investigate sources of finance and repayment schedules
Document the information
- Record the information gained
- Organise the information so that it can be used as the basis for making a decision on whether to proceed with the option to set up an opal cutting and polishing business

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

source information from suppliers about costs and equipment requirements

obtain estimates from service providers and financial institutions

document and access information on opalcutting equipment manufacturers and the setting up of an opalcutting workshop

initiative and enterprise skills to

obtain estimates

develop draft budgets and cash flow

investigate sources of finance

planning and organising skills to record information and organise it in a way that can be used as a basis for decision making

problemsolving skills to identify contingencies such as OHS issues and rectify them

numeracy skills to develop draft budgets cash flow and price materials

selfmanagement skills to deliver information on time to appropriate persons for review and decision making

basic research skills including internet searching skills

Required knowledge

opalcutting workshop requirements

manufacturers and suppliers of opalcutting equipment

basic cost analysis business principles and business planning

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 the requirements for setting up and financing an opalcutting workshop

organise the information in such a way that it can be used as a basis for decision making

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

various reference materials

lapidary magazines and catalogues

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 on underpinning knowledge and skills

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.

Fixtures and fittings may include:	air conditioning benches chairs chemical cupboards cupboards floor coverings safes security requirements, such as door and window locks alarms shelving telephone windows and doors.
Machinery and equipment may include:	bench grinder 6″ or 8″ combination units for grind, sand and polish diamond grinding, sanding and polishing units drum or belt sanders dry sanding units free-hand saws grinding arbours with belt drive leather or felt polishing units multi-blade saws slab saws trim saws ventilation system and filters wet sanding units.
OHS issues may include:	appropriate clothing and footwear chemicals cleanliness of work areas dangers of using electricity and water in the same environment dust and fumes ergonomics fire extinguishers first aid kit guarding for machinery lighting naked flames noise safety glasses ventilation.
Electrical fittings may include:	cabling and machine wiring exhaust fans and dust extraction hardwired control and fuse box lighting primary and secondary switches and safety stops waterproof power outlets.
Water and drainage requirements may include:	hosing to machinery sludge traps splash guards taps water drainage and disposal water supply, mains or gravity fed water trays.
Manufacturers and suppliers/agents may include:	Ashworths Pty Ltd Contempo Lapidary Covington Des Liston Lapidary Diamond Pacific Embel Lapidary Gemmasta Gemtec Graves Lapcraft Raytech Robilt Shelleys Lapidary Supplies T. F. Lapidary Thompson’s Lapidary Western Lapidary Supplies.
Costs may include:	bank charges currency exchange duty or excise freight GST initial cost of machine insurance ongoing maintenance postage set-up costs.
Services may include:	electrician plumbing.
Sources of finance may include:	banks credit unions partnerships private loans.