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.

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 all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when participating in media interviews

demonstration of ability to prepare for and participate in media interviews

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient participation in media interviews

preparation of relevant and succinct press releases

working with others to undertake and complete procedures for dealing with the media that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

materials and equipment relevant to preparing for and participating in media interviews and developing press releases, including:

examples of enterprise press release formats

sample media releases

relevant racing or simulated environments where media interviews are requested and conducted

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

applying assertive communication techniques, including appropriate body language, to seek and relay relevant information accurately and succinctly

applying strategies for deflecting critical remarks or questions

gathering accurate and relevant evidence to racing incidents that may be of interest to media representatives

imparting succinct and accurate verbal information related to subject matter at hand

interpreting and relating personal conduct to rules of racing

organising thoughts and information in a systematic manner

personal speaking and presentation skills

preparing press releases

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

using internet, email and word processing

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

different forms of media

journalists' obligations and code of practice requirements

personal grooming and presentation requirements

protocols and procedures for communicating with racing officials

racing authority regulations and relevant communication protocols

range of documentation and records used in the racing industry workplace

relevant rules of racing

workplace protocols for dealing with the media.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to participate in media interviews for racing. Workplaces include greyhound kennels, harness and thoroughbred stables as well as greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.

Obligations of racing personnel to the racing authority may include:

assisting public relations officer with information dissemination

ensuring comprehensive preparation of subject matter

familiarity with rules of racing relevant to interview and subject matter

following procedural requirements in relation to commenting on current cases

following racing authority protocols

maintaining loyalty to racing authority.

Journalists' obligations and code of conduct may include:

audience, ratings and circulation

Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics (under the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance)

commercial considerations, including:

advertising

commercial news services

ethical conduct guidelines, including:

bias

fair play

independence

misrepresentation

off the record comments

plagiarism

sensationalism

truth and accuracy

government regulators

media ownership

non-government organisation lobby groups

other journalists

owners of commercial news services

professional conduct, regardless of personal or professional interests and pressures

public relations operatives

technological and time pressures.

Provision of relevant information to the media while complying with racing protocols may include:

who is permitted to speak to the media from the respondent's department

what types of information stewards or other enterprise representatives are authorised to distribute

what types of information require special clearance from the enterprise chief executive or public relations department.

Scope of information preparation for planned interviews may include:

who is involved in story

what happened

when it happened

where it happened

why it happened

how it happened

what the outcome was.

Ways information is presented in relevant and succinct format for media source may include:

face to face interview

press release

radio interview

text via internet, email or facsimile

telephone conversation

video or television interview.

Appropriate personal presentation and public speaking skills will include:

allowing appropriate amount of time and space to consider and respond to media questions

maintaining patience

personal presentation in the public eye, similar to standards at race meetings, for example members' area requirements

presenting information in logical order

refraining from interrupting

refraining from swearing, arguing or fighting

speaking clearly

using body language and voice that is assertive but not aggressive

using effective listening and speaking skills

using language that is not patronising but at suitable level

using non-discriminatory language

using strategies to deflect critical remarks, such as:

clarifying incorrect information before answering a question

focussing on long-term benefits rather than current impact

talking in terms of the public interest rather than organisation's

verifying what has been said or done and why it has been said or done.

Non-verbal communication skills include:

appropriate mode of expression, for example:

assertive

authoritative

compassionate

engaging the audience by looking at them

ensuring mannerisms are limited, for example:

fidgeting

hands in pockets

moving about

shifting position

focusing on the interviewer.

Press releases are prepared and reviewed:

avoiding longwinded sentences

avoiding repetitive phrases

ensuring controversial topics are treated positively and realistically

ensuring facts and figures are accurate

ensuring tone is polite but not too formal or familiar

including a title that encapsulates main purpose of the release

providing no more than one fact or idea per paragraph

providing specific facts rather than generalisations

stating the purpose

using illustrations or examples where necessary for clarity.