This unit applies to those whose job role involves planning and managing infrastructure requirements in agricultural or production horticultural enterprises.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine infrastructure requirements

1.1. Information regarding the characteristics of the products and their respective market requirements is accessed.

1.2. Characteristics of the land under production and the production processes to be used are confirmed from colleagues and other planning processes.

1.3. Historical data, including recent data, from organisational records is identified and accessed for input to infrastructure planning processes.

1.4. Information regarding other organisational planning processes and potential for improvements or innovations, is collected and used to inform the infrastructure planning process.

1.5. Requirements of the organisation are taken into consideration during analysis.

1.6. All available information is analysed, and the infrastructure required to efficiently achieve the targeted production requirements are identified and compared with those existing and available in the organisation.

1.7. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards identified, risks assessed and suitable controls are incorporated into the planning process.

1.8. Replacements, purchases and sales of plant and vehicles are planned and budgeted for according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.9. Details regarding infrastructure requirements are used as input to other organisational planning processes.

2. Obtain, prepare or build infrastructure

2.1. Solutions to bridging the gaps between required and existing infrastructure are identified.

2.2. Preferred solution to filling gaps in required infrastructure is determined from a cost benefit analysis.

2.3. Negotiations are undertaken to obtain infrastructure or componentry at the best rate for the organisation.

2.4. Preparation work required for existing infrastructure is organised and undertaken as necessary.

2.5. Works required are planned and commissioned according to organisation requirements.

2.6. All alterations to infrastructure or new developments give due consideration to environmental and waste management requirements.

3. Manage infrastructure

3.1. Infrastructure maintenance programs are determined including scheduling and responsibilities.

3.2. Replacements, purchases and sales of plant and vehicles are undertaken according to plans made, and are in line with organisation policies and guidelines.

3.3. Any reallocations of land required are undertaken with the planning and consultation required by the organisation, and within all relevant guidelines and regulations.

3.4. Situations that require unplanned maintenance are managed within organisation guidelines and policy.

3.5. Checks are made to ensure that program specifications are adhered to and amendments are made where necessary.

3.6. Checks are made to ensure that all OHS requirements are adhered to, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

3.7. Checks are made to ensure that potential detrimental environmental impacts are minimised or eliminated.

4. Record and manage information

4.1. Data, observations and documentation recorded during the production cycle are analysed against the plan according to organisation guidelines.

4.2. Recommendations for future plans are prepared based on the analysis of the data.

4.3. A report is prepared that documents the plans implementation according to the organisations requirements and guidelines.

4.4. Records and documentation are created, maintained and kept as described in the infrastructure plan, the OHS requirements, and machinery and equipment management programs.

4.5. Records and documentation are completed clearly and accurately throughout production in the organisation.

4.6. The record keeping system that is used ensures that required information is available, accessible, meaningful and useful.

Required skills

interpret monitored information on production processes

interpret, analyse and extract information from a range sources such as professional literature, legal documents, discussions, and workshops

identify, build and use network and support groups

recognise potential opportunities to use or install more environmentally efficient systems or equipment

assess, then adopt, profitable innovations

planning

calculating volumes areas and distances

cost benefit analyses observe

identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

sustainable land use principles and practices

property planning, financial management and enterprise budgeting systems and procedures

environmental controls and codes of practice available to the organisation

relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use

sound management practices and processes to minimise noise odours and debris from production processes

sustainable land use principles and practices applicable in the region

relevant legislation and regulations relating to soil and water degradation issues, animal health and welfare, and chemical use.

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

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 holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

identify infrastructure requirements for the enterprise

source, construct and/or modify infrastructure to meet enterprise requirements

develop an infrastructure maintenance program including scheduling and responsibilities

establish a recording system for infrastructure purchase, construction and maintenance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Infrastructure may include:

buildings

sheds

shelters

stock yards

stock handling structures

fences

water supply systems

roads

tracks

soil conservation works

irrigation and drainage channels

silage pits, and/or grain and fodder storage

dams

monitoring systems

information technology systems.

Unit sector

Agribusiness

This unit contains employability skills.