Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to pick crops and perform related tasks such as routine estimation of crop readiness for harvest, basic sorting, bunching and grading, and transportation of the crop from the field.
It applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare equipment for harvesting | 1.1 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks tools, equipment and machinery 1.2 Recognise workplace hazards and report safety concerns 1.3 Use and maintained personal protective equipment (PPE) |
2. Harvest the crop | 2.1 Ensure harvesting procedures minimise crop and plant damage 2.2 Carry out basic sorting and grading 2.3 Clean and maintain harvesting tools, equipment and machinery 2.4 Report harvesting problems |
3. Transport the crop | 3.1 Use safe manual handling when handling containers 3.2 Move and stack containers to minimise damage to the crop 3.3 Maintain temperature of the harvested crop 3.4 Transport the crop from the field to the processing or storage area 3.5 Maintain containers in good working order |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
estimate the readiness of produce for picking
harvest the crop using the correct technique
select and grade produce at picking where required
stack produce in containers without causing damage or losses
transport produce from the field according to enterprise requirements
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for harvesting horticultural crops
enterprise quality procedures
grading characteristics of each crop
recognition of crop maturity of a range of crops
the effect of adverse climatic conditions such as rain, hail, extreme wind with dust, or very high ultraviolet radiation, which may downgrade the quality of affected crop, prevent or impede harvest operations or severely influence the time taken to complete the harvest program
the importance of maintaining quality of produce, including cooling requirements and quick transport from field to processing areas
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Production horticulture (PHT)