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 performing parade official duties at greyhound race meetings

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of parade official greyhound race meeting duties

working with others to undertake and complete greyhound race meeting 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 race meeting environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources. 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 and handlers

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform the duties of a parade official at greyhound race meetings

safe handling areas, such as racetracks with racing authority approved kennels and associated facilities

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.

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

communicating with stewards, racing officials, and licensed and registered personnel using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to parade official duties

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

complying with OHS and animal welfare legislation

complying with race day procedures and relevant rules of racing

ensuring no contact with greyhounds by unauthorised personnel

following directions of racing officials and stewards

handing over race field to starter

identifying common signs and symptoms of distressed or injured greyhounds

locating allocated kennels

maintaining visual contact of race field whilst escorting greyhounds and handlers during parade and walk to race start

marshalling greyhounds in race order and ensuring race field stays in order and together during marshalling, parade and walk to race start

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

reporting problems or incidents to kennel supervisor, stewards and other officials in a timely manner

verifying box draw and allocating race rugs and handler jackets

verifying identification of greyhounds

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation or reports.

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to greyhound racing procedures

communication procedures within the kennel and wider racing industry

procedures for conduct of pre and post-race parading

race meeting procedures and protocols

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

rules of racing for greyhounds, including state and local variations relating to race day procedures and animal welfare

signals and symptoms of injured, distressed or sick greyhounds

time management for the completion of work tasks

written and verbal report formats and protocols for reporting non-compliance issues to supervisor and stewards.

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 assess the skills required to perform the duties of parade official at greyhound race meetings. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Identification of greyhounds may include:

coat colour and markings

ear brand

race rug colour and number

racing registration certificate.

Fit and safety of muzzles may include:

complying with greyhound-approved gear

distance from end of nose and space around nose that allows for comfort of greyhound while preventing greyhound from biting.

Rules of racing will include:

Australian and local rules of racing.

OHS and racing safety protocols and procedures 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 racing and rules of the race venue

considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds, such as:

fences and equipment

lure, wind and noise

other persons or animals

vehicles

contributing to development of risk control measures

following safe work practices

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations

understanding individual greyhound behaviour

using approved gear or equipment

wearing approved personal protective equipment.

Parading procedures may include:

allocating race rugs and handler jackets according to box draw number

verifying greyhound identification against registration papers and race book details

maintaining greyhound race order and visual contact of race field while escorting greyhounds and handlers during parade, public viewing and walk to race start

stopping field if a greyhound needs to empty out or for any other problems

handing field over to race starter.

Safe area for handlers will be:

area allocated on racetrack for handlers, usually behind racetrack fence to avoid potential distraction or impact by racing greyhounds.