Required skills

Ability to

select design and use appropriate communication methods and techniques to support the audit process and the needs of the audience

apply strategies to communicate with people at different levels of the food business with different English language literacy and technical skill levels

facilitate groups to resolve sensitive andor conflictbased issues

structure and present written and verbal information that is thorough legible clear accurate and appropriate to the purpose and the audience

use information systems technologies and software to manage security authorisation and distribution of audit data and records

communicate information in environments where the recipients may be hostile to the information being presented

apply issue resolution strategies

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

legislation that impacts on acceptable communication methods and conduct including antidiscrimination antiharassment and privacy legislation

vocabulary and terms relevant to audit process including terms and jargon to describe food safety legislation technical processes and industry standards

confidentiality needs and expectations of food businesses

strategies to communicate in culturally diverse environments

dynamics of conflict and strategies to manage resolution

the structure authority levels and lines of reporting within a food business

communication methods relevant to different groups and audiences

reporting formats and requirements to meet client and legislative needs

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

A person who demonstrates competence in this unit must be able to select and use appropriate methods of communication and negotiation to support audit processes This unit should be assessed together with other food safety auditing units

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed Competency in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations

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

Evidence of ability to

design a communication plan to meet the needs of stakeholders in an audit process specifically where a number of participants have limited English language and literacy skills

facilitate and negotiate to seek understanding of audit outcomes in a conflictbased situation where the outcomes are contested by the auditee This component of assessment must provide opportunities to select and apply appropriate communication methods

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency may be assessed in an actual workplace or simulated environment where the simulated context provides access to audit findings which are disputed by the auditee At least one of the audit scenarios should be assessed in an actual workplace context A simulated environment must provide access to a typical range of personnel with communication skill levels appropriate to food businesses and to the roles of personnel involved in food safety audit processes

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods should be considered to gather sufficient and valid evidence of competency

observation of communication and conflict management skills

a report for a communication plan to conduct a food safety audit

questioning to test the level and application of knowledge

a journal or report on communication strategies used in conducting a food safety audit

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of FDF Food Processing Industry Training Package

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of FDF10 Food Processing Industry Training Package.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and where possible over a number of assessment activities

Licensing/certification requirements

Communication plan

Communication methods and protocols

Food business requirements

Individual differences

Issue resolution strategies