Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop classing strategies to be used for classing a wool clip and communicating the strategy to shed staff and owner and/or manager, then evaluating the strategy for the clip.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
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. Source information for input to classing strategies | 1.1 Obtain information on previous year's clip preparation and sale results, including classer's specification, test results, skirting ratios, AWEX-ID, sale prices, and any grower or processor feedback 1.2 Obtain information on growing and management history for the mobs over the last twelve months from the grower 1.3 Research current market trends and premiums and discounts 1.4 Identify current recommendations appropriate to the specific wool clip in the Code of Practice for Preparation of Australian Wool Clips 1.5 Obtain current specific exporter and processor requirements and limitations and record relevant details 1.6 Identify marketing and selling methods and end uses for the wool from the marketing plan and determine their implications on clip preparation 1.7 Identify estimated prices for specific lines from market information 1.8 Identify factors that will influence the classing process in the organisation |
2. Develop strategies for classing this clip | 2.1 Identify fleece type and set up suitable fleece, skirting and oddment lines 2.2 Select clip preparation methods and standards to suit the fleece type and market requirements in consultation with the manager and other shed personnel 2.3 Adopt operating procedures that eliminate contamination 2.4 Select wool classing procedures, methods and criteria in line with fleece type, market requirements and industry standards 2.5 Select shed layout and facilities that will permit efficient workflow 2.6 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable control measures 2.7 Select requirements for labelling and placement of bins and containers |
3. Communicate classing strategy | 3.1 Prepare the shed layout, equipment and facilities required and convey requirements for clip preparation to shed staff 3.2 Clip preparation methods and classing procedures are clearly communicated to, and confirmed with, the wool handlers |
4. Review the success of the strategies for the clip | 4.1 Analyse classed clips and review strategies based on lines made, AWEX-ID, test results, selling costs and prices obtained 4.2 Compare alternative clip preparation and classing strategies for profitability of the clip 4.3 Incorporate conclusions and actions of review processes into future classing decisions and instructions to shed staff 4.4 Discuss a review of classing and marketing alternatives is with owner or manager |
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:
develop a classing strategy based on owners enterprise goals, research of past performance of the clip, current management, growing season, market and processor requirements which conforms with the Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips
establish and maintain consistent methods of clip preparation
analyse classed clips and test alternative classing strategies for profitability
review classing strategies based on broker and buyer feedback
adapt classing strategies for buyer requirements, marketing systems and owner manager
value lines of wool using industry descriptions and test results
incorporate review of classing strategies into instructions for shed staff
discuss clip test results, prices and alternative classing strategies with owner/shed manager
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and work health and safety hazards
provide feedback to grower/manager on performance of clip preparation strategy adopted.
communicate classing strategy to shed staff and owner/manager
implement work health and safety policies and procedures into classing strategy
implement animal welfare practices into classing strategy
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
features of the industry description system (AWEX-ID)
requirements of the organisation's wool marketing and production plans
implications of wool testing, broking and export organisations on clip preparation
clip preparation and analysis processes for the major wool types
requirements and standards of the national wool processing industry
methods used for processing wool and their impact on clip preparation and marketing
marketing alternatives and their implications for classing
wool brokering services
features of efficient wool room layout
sale catalogue and market reports
specifications for classers
features of the Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips and other relevant quality standards
requirements of the relevant work health and safety legislation, environmental protection, biosecurity and animal welfare legislation and codes of practice
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Evidence of competency must be demonstrated in Fine/Superfine Merino, Medium/Strong Merino and Crossbred wool clips.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs and be currently registered with the Australian Wool Exchange as Australian Wool classers.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Wool (WOL)