Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to select, handle and shear sheep to a professional level at least 120 adult merino sheep or 140 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
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. Recognise and correct faults in shearing technique | 1.1 Analyse shearing technique 1.2 Recognise and correct faults in sheep position, footwork and free hand use 1.3 Recognise and correct faults in the number of blows and their placement 1.4 Improve co-ordination of footwork, free hand use, sheep control and blow placement |
2. Apply techniques to increase shearing speed and accuracy | 2.1 Increase speed at which the handpiece is pushed forward and returned between blow placements 2.2 Improve the power, direction and manoeuvrability applied at the increased speed 2.3 Improve rhythm at the increased speed 2.4 Maintain calm and consistent temperament whilst shearing 2.5 Recognise the importance of stamina and fitness in improvement of output consistency |
3. Shear required number of sheep in an eight hour day working day to quality standard of the industry for both sheep and wool | 3.1 Demonstrate safety procedures during shearing in relation to people and sheep 3.2 Avoid excessive wool contamination and damage to the wool 3.3 Shear 120 adult merino sheep or equivalent using identified method and positions in a normal eight-hour working day 3.4 Use correct movement of feet and hands, and maintain correct positioning to the downtube 3.5 Release sheep at increased speed 3.6 Comply with work health and safety and animal welfare requirements 3.7 Follow enterprise biosecurity policies where required |
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 be observed shearing a minimum of 120 adult merino sheep or 140 adult crossbred sheep per day to industry standards.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and work safely
avoid contamination, second cuts and injury to animals
shear sufficient sheep within eight hours to match skill level of a professional shearer
analyse and increase on improver shearer level
shear with the industry accepted pattern
use appropriate suturing for cuts to sheep
catch and release sheep safely
demonstrate safe and responsible workplace practices
provide due care and handle sheep humanely
apply enterprise workplace health and safety policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
types of shearing sheds, boards and catching pens
shearing machinery required and their relative functions
industry agreed shearing techniques and positions and method of shearing
safe handling techniques for catching, dragging, shearing and releasing sheep
the impacts of sheep behaviour on moving and handling sheep and shearing sheep
Federal and/or State shearing awards and agreements associated with shearing sheep
enterprise biosecurity policies applying to the job role
work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
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
Shearing (SHG)