The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this training package.

Overview of assessment

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to determine and apply rheology to relevant polymers.

Assessment method and context

Assessment will occur using relevant industrial polymers and rheology relevant to the process/product and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

using an appropriate, industrial polymers and rheology relevant to the process/product

in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems

by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

through a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

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

Knowledge and understanding of the principles of rheology, how rheological properties vary with temperature and how they impact on process efficiency and equipment design.

Knowledge of organization procedures and policies along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the job.

Knowledge as a basis for solving processing and material problems including:

Newtonian flow

non-Newtonian flow

density/temperature/viscosity relationships

quantitatively determining shear, shear rate, output, viscosity/density changes with temperature.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires high level numeracy skills such as are needed for the use of complex algebraic equations, non-linear functions, simultaneous equations and the interpretation of non-linear graphs. Literacy is also required at least equivalent to senior secondary school.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This competency unit includes the rheology of major polymer compounds and the temperature and shear effects on viscosity.

This competency applies to all sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry.

Standard procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

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