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

AHCSHG304A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Shear sheep to professional level

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCSHG304A - Shear sheep to professional level
Description This unit covers the process of selecting, handling and shearing sheep to professional level of 100-120 or more sheep per day, and defines the standard required to: select, use and maintain shearing equipment; avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool and sheep; recognise problem and diseased sheep and apply treatments accordingly; shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer; analyse and build skills from improver shearer level.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to shearing of sheep to professional level and is performed independently while working as part of a shearing team.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
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: Recognise and correct faults in shearing technique
  • Analyse shearing technique.
  • Recognise and correct faults in sheep position, footwork and free hand use.
  • Recognise and correct faults in the number of blows and their placement.
  • Improve co-ordination of footwork, free hand use, sheep control and blow placement.
       
Element: Apply techniques to increase shearing speed and accuracy
  • Increase speed at which the handpiece is pushed forward and returned between blow placements.
  • Improve the power, direction and manoeuvrability applied at the increased speed.
  • Improve rhythm at the increased speed.
  • Maintain calm temperament for 8-hour working day.
  • Recognise the importance of stamina and fitness in improvement of output consistency.
       
Element: Shear required number of sheep in an eight hour day working day to quality standard of the industry for both sheep and wool
  • Demonstrate safety procedures during shearing in relation to people and sheep.
  • Avoid excessive wool contamination and damage to the wool.
  • Shear 120 adult merino sheep or equivalent using identified method and positions in line with industry standards in a normal eight-hour working day.
  • Use correct movement of feet and hands, and maintain correct positioning to the downtube.
  • Release sheep at increased speed in line with industry and enterprise requirements.
  • Comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), animal welfare and industry and enterprise quality requirements.
       


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.

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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

select, use and maintain shearing equipment

avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to wool and sheep

recognise problem and diseased sheep and apply treatments accordingly

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer

analyse and build skills from improver shearer level.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

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.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work procedures

select use and maintain shearing equipment

avoid contamination, second cuts and damage to animals

shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer

analyse and improve on improver shearer level

shear with co-ordination and rhythm

stitch wounds

catch and release sheep safely

demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices

provide due care and handle sheep humanely

clean and maintain shearing equipment, and sharpen combs and cutters

work in a team as a team member

review quality of own work

tally shorn sheep count

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens

service and maintenance of handpieces

industry agreed shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing

grinding procedures

safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep

animal welfare requirements in relation to sheep

sheep behaviour

shearing clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

Federal Pastoral Industry Award and/or State Shearing Award of Queensland or Western Australian Shearing Contractors Award

relevant State/Territory legislation and awards, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and animal welfare.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Breeds of sheep may include:

all ages and genders including:

rams

ewes

wethers

lambs

hoggets

stags.

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
Analyse shearing technique. 
Recognise and correct faults in sheep position, footwork and free hand use. 
Recognise and correct faults in the number of blows and their placement. 
Improve co-ordination of footwork, free hand use, sheep control and blow placement. 
Increase speed at which the handpiece is pushed forward and returned between blow placements. 
Improve the power, direction and manoeuvrability applied at the increased speed. 
Improve rhythm at the increased speed. 
Maintain calm temperament for 8-hour working day. 
Recognise the importance of stamina and fitness in improvement of output consistency. 
Demonstrate safety procedures during shearing in relation to people and sheep. 
Avoid excessive wool contamination and damage to the wool. 
Shear 120 adult merino sheep or equivalent using identified method and positions in line with industry standards in a normal eight-hour working day. 
Use correct movement of feet and hands, and maintain correct positioning to the downtube. 
Release sheep at increased speed in line with industry and enterprise requirements. 
Comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), animal welfare and industry and enterprise quality requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSHG304A - Shear sheep to professional level
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

AHCSHG304A - Shear sheep to professional level

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: