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 apply to supervising duties related to the handling of greyhounds

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of overseeing duties

working with others to undertake and complete overseeing procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

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:

a variety of greyhounds

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform overseeing duties

safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks

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 safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds

assessing an individual's capability to perform specific tasks

catching, controlling and handling greyhounds

coaching and mentoring learners or new staff

communicating with employer, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to greyhound handling activities

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

delegating tasks

demonstrating best practice techniques for identifying, catching, controlling and handling greyhounds

evaluating risks associated with catching and handling greyhounds

identifying and explaining features of greyhounds using industry standards

identifying and explaining behaviour of greyhounds

identifying and correctly using different items of handling gear

incorporating safe operating procedures into all instructions

giving, receiving and interpreting instructions

providing positive feedback to learners on skills development

providing opportunities for staff to practise skills development

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities and adapting practice and skills development opportunities to suit these varying needs

supporting others in handling greyhounds using industry best practice techniques.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices

effective working relationships, including teamwork

handling techniques for greyhounds

industry terminology related to identifying, catching, controlling and handling greyhounds

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

range and purpose of gear

relevant council regulations and by-laws related to keeping and handling greyhounds

relevant rules of racing

relevant road safety rules

safe work practices when giving instructions

staff management.

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 supervise the handling of greyhounds. Workplaces include kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Supervised handling of greyhounds may include:

explaining behaviour traits of individual greyhounds

explaining identification features of individual greyhounds

explaining rules of racing and local government rules related to the operation of racing kennels and handling of greyhounds in public places

demonstrating catching, leading and controlling techniques

outlining kennel routines and safe work practices

providing assistance to others in the identification or handling of greyhounds, such as:

kennel staff

swab supervisors or attendants

stewards

trainers

veterinarians or therapists.

Factors to consider when tasks are delegated may include:

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

adhering to rules of training tracks and public venues

age of participant, as some race meeting tasks have minimum age requirements

approved gear for greyhounds

assessing competence of individual workers

considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds, such as:

fences and equipment

lure

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind or noise

experience attending race meetings

experience handling young or inexperienced greyhounds

identifying potential hazards and applying risk control measures

individual greyhound behaviour

knowledge of approved gear for greyhounds

relevant road safety rules.

Gear may include:

collars

leads

muzzles.

Practice and skill development opportunities may include:

allowing learner the opportunity to make mistakes during skill development where the consequences will be minimal

asking learner to explain the steps involved in a particular task prior to performing it

confirming understanding of task by questioning learner

graduating difficulty of tasks

mentoring

monitoring performance to provide immediate feedback

providing opportunities to perform skills in a controlled environment

providing positive feedback

staff initially working with more reliable greyhounds

training courses.