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

AHCPER317 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCPER317 - Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials, using techniques that use local earth, straw and rock, and that turn problems into solutions by converting waste, surplus or low embodied energy materials into solid and serviceable structures.All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures. Individuals observe manufacturer’s specifications and follow operating instructions when using tools and equipment.This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.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 (or higher) in Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is not sufficient at this level.

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: Research building methods
  • Research appropriate building methods to decide which methods will be appropriate for the project
  • Review the availability of materials locally and their suitability for the chosen method
  • Consult experts and tradespeople to confirm suitability of chosen building method and materials
       
Element: Prepare for the building project
  • Collect materials on site
  • Obtain labour support and engage experts where necessary
  • Clear the site and mark out the area
       
Element: Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials
  • Using the chosen method, commence building the structure
  • Use reclaimed materials where possible and ensure that they are structurally suitable
  • Use natural finishes and treatments where possible and appropriate
       
Element: Limit and re-use surplus and waste materials
  • Ensure that the surplus or waste materials are stockpiled or stored for future re-use where possible
  • Demonstrate appropriate uses for all available materials and share and swap with other projects where possible
  • Limit the amount of waste material removed from the site and ensure that it goes to a new use rather than to landfill wherever possible
       
Element: Check quality of work and clean-up site
  • Inspect quality of finished works and ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design drawings and specifications
  • Clean up debris from structure and site
  • Clean and store tools and equipment
       


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. Research building methods

1.1 Research appropriate building methods to decide which methods will be appropriate for the project

1.2 Review the availability of materials locally and their suitability for the chosen method

1.3 Consult experts and tradespeople to confirm suitability of chosen building method and materials

2. Prepare for the building project

2.1 Collect materials on site

2.2 Obtain labour support and engage experts where necessary

2.3 Clear the site and mark out the area

3. Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials

3.1 Using the chosen method, commence building the structure

3.2 Use reclaimed materials where possible and ensure that they are structurally suitable

3.3 Use natural finishes and treatments where possible and appropriate

4. Limit and re-use surplus and waste materials

4.1 Ensure that the surplus or waste materials are stockpiled or stored for future re-use where possible

4.2 Demonstrate appropriate uses for all available materials and share and swap with other projects where possible

4.3 Limit the amount of waste material removed from the site and ensure that it goes to a new use rather than to landfill wherever possible

5. Check quality of work and clean-up site

5.1 Inspect quality of finished works and ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design drawings and specifications

5.2 Clean up debris from structure and site

5.3 Clean and store tools and equipment

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:

research building methods

prepare for the building project

build with earth, straw and/or reclaimed materials

limit and re-use surplus and waste materials

ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles regarding structures and the built environment

Building methods, such as

mud brick

straw bale

cobb & light earth

rammed earth (Pise)

wattle and daub

stabilised/compressed earth brick

earth ship

aerated concrete

compressed paper and timber fibres

wool brick

air dried timber

structural issues

planning issues

properties of materials and suitability of local soils and timbers for building uses

environmental, logistical and safety factors, such as:

issues related to harvesting and milling of local timbers

possible contaminants in or on materials

weight and size of materials and their transport to the site

reclaimed materials, such as:

commercial timber off-cuts and wastes

demolition materials (timbers, windows and doors, plumbing fittings, roofing materials, bricks and other masonry items)

railway sleepers, telegraph poles, bridge timbers and other heavy reclaimed timbers

metal mesh and grill-work (fridge and oven shelves, wire baskets, fence panels, bed frames and bases, chicken wire, aviary mesh, pig/dog wire and other wire mesh products in small or large quantities)

reinforcing mesh and rods, trench mesh

pallets and packaging crates

shipping containers, ex-transport carriages, old cars, trailers and caravans

mirrors

bottles (glass and plastic)

ceramics and flower pots

car & truck tyres, windscreens, panels and seats

machinery parts

drums and cans

palings and weatherboards

reclaimed concrete

typical permaculture structures, such as

garden structures and features

fences and trellising

animal housing and shelters

seating and garden walls

retaining walls and small dam walls (including observing all regulatory conditions)

sheds or small outbuildings (including observing all regulatory conditions)

components of houses or other buildings ((including observing all regulatory conditions and work with professionals on larger structures)

the correct use of hand and power tools and other work health and safety requirements associated with installing structures and features

techniques for working with reclaimed materials such as de-nailing, stripping old paint, dressing timber

WHS considerations associated with recycled materials such as identification of lead paint, broken glass, rusty metal, chemically treated materials

comparative environmental implications associated with excavation and construction activity

safe lifting and transporting techniques

appropriate use of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE)

appropriate use and installation of safety signs and barriers

site access points

implication of alteration to water flow during and after construction


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. Research building methods

1.1 Research appropriate building methods to decide which methods will be appropriate for the project

1.2 Review the availability of materials locally and their suitability for the chosen method

1.3 Consult experts and tradespeople to confirm suitability of chosen building method and materials

2. Prepare for the building project

2.1 Collect materials on site

2.2 Obtain labour support and engage experts where necessary

2.3 Clear the site and mark out the area

3. Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials

3.1 Using the chosen method, commence building the structure

3.2 Use reclaimed materials where possible and ensure that they are structurally suitable

3.3 Use natural finishes and treatments where possible and appropriate

4. Limit and re-use surplus and waste materials

4.1 Ensure that the surplus or waste materials are stockpiled or stored for future re-use where possible

4.2 Demonstrate appropriate uses for all available materials and share and swap with other projects where possible

4.3 Limit the amount of waste material removed from the site and ensure that it goes to a new use rather than to landfill wherever possible

5. Check quality of work and clean-up site

5.1 Inspect quality of finished works and ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design drawings and specifications

5.2 Clean up debris from structure and site

5.3 Clean and store tools and equipment

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
Research appropriate building methods to decide which methods will be appropriate for the project 
Review the availability of materials locally and their suitability for the chosen method 
Consult experts and tradespeople to confirm suitability of chosen building method and materials 
Collect materials on site 
Obtain labour support and engage experts where necessary 
Clear the site and mark out the area 
Using the chosen method, commence building the structure 
Use reclaimed materials where possible and ensure that they are structurally suitable 
Use natural finishes and treatments where possible and appropriate 
Ensure that the surplus or waste materials are stockpiled or stored for future re-use where possible 
Demonstrate appropriate uses for all available materials and share and swap with other projects where possible 
Limit the amount of waste material removed from the site and ensure that it goes to a new use rather than to landfill wherever possible 
Inspect quality of finished works and ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design drawings and specifications 
Clean up debris from structure and site 
Clean and store tools and equipment 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER317 - Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials
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:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPER317 - Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials

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: