Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCPCM503 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Specify plants for landscapes

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCPCM503 - Specify plants for landscapes
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to select and specify landscape plants in a range of industries to provide information and advice to a client or organisation.It applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Develop a client brief
  • Discuss and clarify the needs and objectives of the client
  • Identify purposes of the landscape and the client’s expectations
  • Establish the criteria for plant selection
  • Consult with client to finalise agreement of the brief
       
Element: Determine the suitability of a plant for a purpose
  • Inspect the site and determine the planting area
  • Select species and cultivars for the size and aspect and the site
  • Consider and apply environmental conditions to the functional characteristics of the plant
  • Determine the suitability of the soil for the plants selected
  • Evaluate the selection of the plant and document the rationale for plant selection
       
Element: Select plants
  • Select plants as outlined in the client brief and according to their suitability for the intended purpose
  • Determine plant function for the precise location within the plan
  • Make recommendations for soil improvements for the selected plant species
  • Match species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species’ specific characteristics
  • Identify plant species appropriate for the site
  • Research relevant reference sources
  • Recommend plant species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings
  • Document plant selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications
       
Element: Specify plants
  • Evaluate selection criteria for mature plants against capability and availability of transplanted plants
  • Assess final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirm
  • Assess selected plants for quality and quantities outlined in the specifications
  • Check materials, soils and growing media for specified quality
  • Document records of quality checks on delivered plants and product
       
Element: Correlate and present a report
  • Document a report of the process and incorporate the correlated records
  • Present the client or organisation with the report
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop a client brief

1.1 Discuss and clarify the needs and objectives of the client

1.2 Identify purposes of the landscape and the client’s expectations

1.3 Establish the criteria for plant selection

1.4 Consult with client to finalise agreement of the brief

2. Determine the suitability of a plant for a purpose

2.1 Inspect the site and determine the planting area

2.2 Select species and cultivars for the size and aspect and the site

2.3 Consider and apply environmental conditions to the functional characteristics of the plant

2.4 Determine the suitability of the soil for the plants selected

2.5 Evaluate the selection of the plant and document the rationale for plant selection

3. Select plants

3.1 Select plants as outlined in the client brief and according to their suitability for the intended purpose

3.2 Determine plant function for the precise location within the plan

3.3 Make recommendations for soil improvements for the selected plant species

3.4 Match species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species’ specific characteristics

3.5 Identify plant species appropriate for the site

3.6 Research relevant reference sources

3.7 Recommend plant species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings

3.8 Document plant selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications

4. Specify plants

4.1 Evaluate selection criteria for mature plants against capability and availability of transplanted plants

4.2 Assess final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirm

4.3 Assess selected plants for quality and quantities outlined in the specifications

4.4 Check materials, soils and growing media for specified quality

4.5 Document records of quality checks on delivered plants and product

5. Correlate and present a report

5.1 Document a report of the process and incorporate the correlated records

5.2 Present the client or organisation with the report

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

develop a client brief on client’s needs, objectives and expectations, the purpose of the landscape and plant selection criteria

compile a database of plant specimens and characteristics

conduct site inspections and site assessments

evaluate and determine plant selections

identify and select from a range of plants appropriate to the site

research reference sources

select and appraise soils and growing media

use comparative techniques

assess quality of plants and materials meet specifications

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of specifying plants for landscapes

basic physiology and life cycle of pests and diseases

botany, plant morphology, physiology, taxonomy and nomenclature

methods of data capture

plant identification techniques

soil characteristics particularly in relation to the local region

soils appraisal techniques

symptoms of plant pests and diseases

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop a client brief

1.1 Discuss and clarify the needs and objectives of the client

1.2 Identify purposes of the landscape and the client’s expectations

1.3 Establish the criteria for plant selection

1.4 Consult with client to finalise agreement of the brief

2. Determine the suitability of a plant for a purpose

2.1 Inspect the site and determine the planting area

2.2 Select species and cultivars for the size and aspect and the site

2.3 Consider and apply environmental conditions to the functional characteristics of the plant

2.4 Determine the suitability of the soil for the plants selected

2.5 Evaluate the selection of the plant and document the rationale for plant selection

3. Select plants

3.1 Select plants as outlined in the client brief and according to their suitability for the intended purpose

3.2 Determine plant function for the precise location within the plan

3.3 Make recommendations for soil improvements for the selected plant species

3.4 Match species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species’ specific characteristics

3.5 Identify plant species appropriate for the site

3.6 Research relevant reference sources

3.7 Recommend plant species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings

3.8 Document plant selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications

4. Specify plants

4.1 Evaluate selection criteria for mature plants against capability and availability of transplanted plants

4.2 Assess final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirm

4.3 Assess selected plants for quality and quantities outlined in the specifications

4.4 Check materials, soils and growing media for specified quality

4.5 Document records of quality checks on delivered plants and product

5. Correlate and present a report

5.1 Document a report of the process and incorporate the correlated records

5.2 Present the client or organisation with the report

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Discuss and clarify the needs and objectives of the client 
Identify purposes of the landscape and the client’s expectations 
Establish the criteria for plant selection 
Consult with client to finalise agreement of the brief 
Inspect the site and determine the planting area 
Select species and cultivars for the size and aspect and the site 
Consider and apply environmental conditions to the functional characteristics of the plant 
Determine the suitability of the soil for the plants selected 
Evaluate the selection of the plant and document the rationale for plant selection 
Select plants as outlined in the client brief and according to their suitability for the intended purpose 
Determine plant function for the precise location within the plan 
Make recommendations for soil improvements for the selected plant species 
Match species and cultivars appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species’ specific characteristics 
Identify plant species appropriate for the site 
Research relevant reference sources 
Recommend plant species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings 
Document plant selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations as specifications 
Evaluate selection criteria for mature plants against capability and availability of transplanted plants 
Assess final selections against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirm 
Assess selected plants for quality and quantities outlined in the specifications 
Check materials, soils and growing media for specified quality 
Document records of quality checks on delivered plants and product 
Document a report of the process and incorporate the correlated records 
Present the client or organisation with the report 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPCM503 - Specify plants for landscapes
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPCM503 - Specify plants for landscapes

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: