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

AHCPER213 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Assist with basic earth shaping for nutrient capture and storage

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCPER213 - Assist with basic earth shaping for nutrient capture and storage
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with basic earth shaping for nutrient capture and storage in a permaculture system. It requires knowledge of permaculture earthworks used for nutrient capture and storage, behaviour of water in the natural environment, reading the landscape, working with slopes and contours and digging techniques, both manual and mechanical.All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.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. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
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: Assess and measure slope using simple tools
  • Identify issues with slope such as erosion gullies, plant growth, water pooling
  • Use a plumb bob and 3-4-5 triangle or similar to calculate fall
  • Record slope profile and fall in several places across a wide slope
       
Element: Peg out contours
  • Step an A frame across the slope to find and peg the contour
  • Use an A-frame and water level to check contour pegging
  • Label or flag contour pegs to avoid confusion
       
Element: Prepare to shape earth
  • Select tools and equipment for earth shaping work
  • Hire small machinery if necessary or if the job is a big one
  • Hire a contractor if the job demands and follow any legislative requirements
  • Check weather forecasts and condition of soil before digging
       
Element: Shape earth for nutrient capture and storage
  • Use manual or mechanical digging system to shape the earth
  • Avoid damage to underground structures, services, roots of trees and building foundations
  • Follow the design requirements and clarify any anomalies
       
Element: Test earth shaping work
  • Confirm that earth shaping holds water (or drains, as required)
  • Confirm that earth shaping of berms, swales or terraces will not erode or pool water
  • Rake, sweep or compact to even any discrepancies
  • Test earth shaped structure by watering or opening valves and adjust as required
       
Element: Complete earth shaping work
  • Line earth shaped swales or ponds according to design
  • Plant contour banks or terraces according to design
  • Mulch any exposed soil or surfaces or fill, depending on climate and permaculture design requirements
  • Clean up any surplus or waste materials from the earth shaping work in an environmentally safe manner
  • Return tools, equipment and storable materials to storage
       


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. Assess and measure slope using simple tools

1.1 Identify issues with slope such as erosion gullies, plant growth, water pooling

1.2 Use a plumb bob and 3-4-5 triangle or similar to calculate fall

1.3 Record slope profile and fall in several places across a wide slope

2. Peg out contours

2.1 Step an A frame across the slope to find and peg the contour

2.2 Use an A-frame and water level to check contour pegging

2.3 Label or flag contour pegs to avoid confusion

3. Prepare to shape earth

3.1 Select tools and equipment for earth shaping work

3.2 Hire small machinery if necessary or if the job is a big one

3.3 Hire a contractor if the job demands and follow any legislative requirements

3.4 Check weather forecasts and condition of soil before digging

4. Shape earth for nutrient capture and storage

4.1 Use manual or mechanical digging system to shape the earth

4.2 Avoid damage to underground structures, services, roots of trees and building foundations

4.3 Follow the design requirements and clarify any anomalies

5. Test earth shaping work

5.1 Confirm that earth shaping holds water (or drains, as required)

5.2 Confirm that earth shaping of berms, swales or terraces will not erode or pool water

5.3 Rake, sweep or compact to even any discrepancies

5.4 Test earth shaped structure by watering or opening valves and adjust as required

6. Complete earth shaping work

6.1 Line earth shaped swales or ponds according to design

6.2 Plant contour banks or terraces according to design

6.3 Mulch any exposed soil or surfaces or fill, depending on climate and permaculture design requirements

6.4 Clean up any surplus or waste materials from the earth shaping work in an environmentally safe manner

6.5 Return tools, equipment and storable materials to storage

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:

identify issues with slope

measure slope using simple tools

peg out contours

shape earth for nutrient capture and storage

test earth shaping work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices in relation to nutrient capture and storage in earthworks

behaviour of water in the natural environment

natural water flows

earth shaping components common in permaculture systems, such as:

swales

berms

dams

terraces

grey water reed bed systems

ponds

manual digging techniques

operation of small earth-moving equipment

soil testing for earthworks

working with slopes and contours

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. Assess and measure slope using simple tools

1.1 Identify issues with slope such as erosion gullies, plant growth, water pooling

1.2 Use a plumb bob and 3-4-5 triangle or similar to calculate fall

1.3 Record slope profile and fall in several places across a wide slope

2. Peg out contours

2.1 Step an A frame across the slope to find and peg the contour

2.2 Use an A-frame and water level to check contour pegging

2.3 Label or flag contour pegs to avoid confusion

3. Prepare to shape earth

3.1 Select tools and equipment for earth shaping work

3.2 Hire small machinery if necessary or if the job is a big one

3.3 Hire a contractor if the job demands and follow any legislative requirements

3.4 Check weather forecasts and condition of soil before digging

4. Shape earth for nutrient capture and storage

4.1 Use manual or mechanical digging system to shape the earth

4.2 Avoid damage to underground structures, services, roots of trees and building foundations

4.3 Follow the design requirements and clarify any anomalies

5. Test earth shaping work

5.1 Confirm that earth shaping holds water (or drains, as required)

5.2 Confirm that earth shaping of berms, swales or terraces will not erode or pool water

5.3 Rake, sweep or compact to even any discrepancies

5.4 Test earth shaped structure by watering or opening valves and adjust as required

6. Complete earth shaping work

6.1 Line earth shaped swales or ponds according to design

6.2 Plant contour banks or terraces according to design

6.3 Mulch any exposed soil or surfaces or fill, depending on climate and permaculture design requirements

6.4 Clean up any surplus or waste materials from the earth shaping work in an environmentally safe manner

6.5 Return tools, equipment and storable materials to storage

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
Identify issues with slope such as erosion gullies, plant growth, water pooling 
Use a plumb bob and 3-4-5 triangle or similar to calculate fall 
Record slope profile and fall in several places across a wide slope 
Step an A frame across the slope to find and peg the contour 
Use an A-frame and water level to check contour pegging 
Label or flag contour pegs to avoid confusion 
Select tools and equipment for earth shaping work 
Hire small machinery if necessary or if the job is a big one 
Hire a contractor if the job demands and follow any legislative requirements 
Check weather forecasts and condition of soil before digging 
Use manual or mechanical digging system to shape the earth 
Avoid damage to underground structures, services, roots of trees and building foundations 
Follow the design requirements and clarify any anomalies 
Confirm that earth shaping holds water (or drains, as required) 
Confirm that earth shaping of berms, swales or terraces will not erode or pool water 
Rake, sweep or compact to even any discrepancies 
Test earth shaped structure by watering or opening valves and adjust as required 
Line earth shaped swales or ponds according to design 
Plant contour banks or terraces according to design 
Mulch any exposed soil or surfaces or fill, depending on climate and permaculture design requirements 
Clean up any surplus or waste materials from the earth shaping work in an environmentally safe manner 
Return tools, equipment and storable materials to storage 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER213 - Assist with basic earth shaping for nutrient capture and storage
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

AHCPER213 - Assist with basic earth shaping for nutrient capture and storage

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: