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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently plan and supervise the implementation of stem improvement activities within applicable environmental, legislative and organisational guidelines

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, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to coordinating stem improvement

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to coordinating stem improvement

identifying measurable performance indicators, specifications and targets and developing a stem improvement plan within specified budgetary guidelines

identifying and recommending methods and strategies to manage stem quality and growth

monitoring stem improvement operation, ensuring relevant legal, OHS and environmental requirements are followed

documenting results from stem improvement activities and preparing a report for dissemination to relevant personnel

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; supervise operational staff and contractors to achieve specific outcomes; recognise common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies; schedule forest operations; prune target species appropriately

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques and methods with colleagues and others; present information orally and in writing to a wide range of individuals and groups

Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information; maintain documentation; interpret, assess and extract critical information from sources; collate and assess information against specified criteria; interpret and act on written information, including maps, plans, reports and numerical data

Numeracy skills sufficient to evaluate numerical and financial data

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults; demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge

Applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for coordinating stem improvement

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and the safe use and storage of chemicals

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for coordinating stem improvement

Environmental risks and hazards

Pruning techniques for target species

Recognition and identification of a range of species

Plant identification sources

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include:

legislation

organisational policies and procedures

workplace practices

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

procedural manuals

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures

ethical standards

recording and reporting requirements

equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Stem improvement

may be used to encourage tree growth to suit marketing requirements

Environmental requirements may include:

hygiene of the area

relevant commonwealth, state or territory and local legislation and regulations

Information may include:

organisational strategic and tending plans

appropriate regulations

Methods may include:

pruning using mechanical or hand tools

using chemicals or biological agents

recycling pruned material

disposing of pruned material that cannot be recycled due to chemicals or biological agents used

Approvals

may be required where:

use of chemicals or biological agents is intended

browsing control techniques may impact on neighbouring properties

Plan may detail:

organisational terminology

guidelines and budgets

policies and timelines

internal memos

resources (people, material and equipment)

tools (chainsaws)

Appropriate personnel may include:

operational personnel

colleagues

clients

line management

external authorities

agencies

Documentation

may be required where:

there is use of chemical or biological agents

operation is to be contracted out

Individuals, bodies and groups may include:

contractors

clients

peers

local, federal, state or territory government agencies/bodies

Checks may include:

ensuring:

relevant organisational OHS procedures, practices, policies and precautions are observed and followed

site environmental requirements follow relevant commonwealth, state or territory and local legislation and regulations

performance indicators, targets and specifications are met

quantity, cost and provenances collected are in line with plan specifications

required organisational documentation is completed clearly and accurately

Hazards may include:

use of machinery

use of chemicals or biological agents

adverse weather conditions

adverse terrain conditions

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of positive, confident and cooperative language

use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences

control of tone of voice

Limitations may relate to:

job role and responsibilities

own competency level

industry requirements

own understanding of risk identification processes

own interpretation of legislation, regulations and procedures

OHS and environmental requirements

Records and reports may include:

difficulties or issues faced

results

costs

data analysis

recommendations for future work

and may be:

manual

a computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system