This qualification reflects entry-level skills in cutting and polishing opals. It is aimed at a young person entering the industry sector or the miner wanting hands-on skills in opal cutting and polishing. The qualification provides a pathway, which can subsequently be built on to achieve a range of high level outcomes in the industry.
Total number of units = 9
6 core units plus
3 elective units
The elective units consist of:
1 unit from the elective list below
of the remaining 2 units:
up to 2 may be from the list of elective units below
up to 2 may be from Certificate II in any currently endorsed Training Package
1 may be from a Certificate I or III in any currently endorsed Training Package
1 may be from an accredited course at Certificate I, II or III.
The elective units chosen must be relevant to the work outcome and meet local industry needs.
Core units
BSBOHS201A Participate in OHS processes
CUECOR02C Work with others
CUVOPA201A Identify and assess opal
CUVOPA202A Handle and store rough and cut opal
CUVOPA203A Complete pre-cutting processes for solid opals
CUVOPA204A Cut and polish solid opals
Elective units
Design
BSBDES201A Follow a design process
BSBDES202A Evaluate the nature of design in a specific industry context
Financial administration
BSBFIA301A Maintain financial records
Information technology
BSBITU101A Operate a personal computer
BSBITU102A Develop keyboard skills
BSBITU201A Produce simple word processed documents
BSBITU203A Communicate electronically
Micro business
BSBSMB201A Identify suitability for micro business
Opal cutting and polishing
CUVOPA205A Complete pre-cutting processes for opal doublets and triplets
CUVOPA206A Cut and polish opal doublets and triplets
CUVOPA405A Obtain opal
CUVOPA408A Undertake routine operational maintenance of machinery
Sales
SIRXSLS001A Sell products and services
Sustainability
BSBSUS201A Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Selecting electives for different outcomes
The following examples are designed to assist in the selection of appropriate electives for particular outcomes at this level, but are in no way prescriptive.
Assistant in an opal cutting and polishing workshop
Core units plus:
CUVOPA405A Obtain opal
CUVOPA408A Undertake routine operational maintenance of machinery
SIRXSLS001A Sell products and services
Pathways into the qualification
People may enter this qualification with little or no vocational experience and without a lower level qualification.
Pathways from the qualification
This qualification prepares people for entry-level roles in the opal industry.
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
The following table contains a summary of the employability skills as identified by the visual arts, craft and design industries for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.
Employability skill | Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification |
Communication | passing on key safety information to colleagues sharing information with others discussing opal buying preferences with colleagues and others in the industry |
Teamwork | checking safety procedures with other team members working collaboratively with other team members acknowledging the strengths of other team members |
Problem-solving | identifying safety issues and reporting them to appropriate person identifying possible conflicts with team members and suggesting ways of dealing with them identifying whether a sample is genuine natural opal or a simulated opal identifying and rectifying equipment faults that do not require specialist attention |
Initiative and enterprise | determining where to cut stones to maximise value and artistic effect |
Planning and organising | identifying risk factors and taking action to minimise risk organising work tasks to ensure safety maintaining stock control and other workplace records weighing opals to determine yield planning and executing the process of cutting and polishing opals planning and performing routine maintenance of equipment |
Self-management | following workplace procedures, particularly in relation to OHS maintaining personal safety standards taking responsibility within scope of job role managing own time to meet deadlines |
Learning | seeking assistance and advice from others to improve one’s own skills and knowledge seeking assistance and expert advice from equipment manufacturers |
Technology | using security systems using cameras and scanning equipment using electronic stock control systems using the internet for research using equipment and tools to cut and polish opals |