Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for, implement and review wool harvesting, clip preparation and classing.
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. Plan and implement wool harvesting and preparation operations | 1.1 Consult the flock owner or manager about their requirements and inform them of any planning issues taking into account weather and environmental issues 1.2 Determine the order of mobs for wool harvesting and preparation 1.3 Determine staffing needs by negotiation with owner or manager according to clip type, enterprise requirements, legislative requirements, employment agreements and awards 1.4 Allocate staff duties and give staff directions where necessary 1.5 Arrange the shed equipment and materials in line with shearing plan, work health and safety requirements and the quality management system 1.6 Implement the wool harvesting and preparation plan and adjust as required |
2. Implement plan and monitor work flows | 2.1 Monitor sheep numbers, mob cut outs and shearing speeds to match wool preparation capacity 2.2 Supervise shed staff to maintain a clear board and ensure fleeces are thrown correctly 2.3 Direct shed staff to use appropriate skirting strategies and monitor fleece to skirting ratios 2.4 Direct staff to close off bins and lines for mob cut outs 2.5 Manage wool harvesting and preparation team to comply with quality management system requirements 2.6 Monitor compliance with enterprise and legislative requirements including work health and safety, animal welfare, biosecurity, industrial, and environmental practices 2.7 Manage staff performance and provide direction where necessary |
3. Supervise wool pressing | 3.1 Instruct presser on pressing strategies to reduce mixed bales while meeting code of practice requirements for uniformity in bales 3.2 Inform presser of order for pressing and procedures to minimize contamination 3.3 Monitor rate of build up in lines by consulting with wool presser 3.4 Monitor bale weights to ensure efficiencies are achieved for the grower without creating overweight bales 3.5 Brand bales appropriately 3.6 Monitor wool book to ensure it is up to date, accurate and legible |
4. Provide feedback to grower on classing strategies, clip performance and wool harvesting and preparation operations | 4.1 Review staff performance in clip preparation 4.2 Provide feedback on classing strategies, clip preparation in relation to mob characteristics, skirting ratios, bale weights and any workflow issues 4.3 Provide feedback on possible improvements to wool handling facilities 4.4 Report on equipment effectiveness and maintenance requirements 4.5 Explain lines made and bale details in relation to mob characteristics 4.6 Provide feedback on lotting advice 4.7 Complete wool clip documentation and present to owner or manager for signature |
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:
plan and implement wool harvesting and preparation operations
organise and schedule staff and work tasks
supervise staff and monitor productivity
implement risk management strategies
monitor environmental impacts and implement control measures
implement relevant legislative requirements associated with the shearing industry including employment agreements and awards
communicate using industry standard terminology written and oral information to team members and management
review and evaluate operational performance and clip preparation standards
provide feedback to grower on the shearing operation and the preparation and classing of the clip
calculate resources and bale weights for mob cut outs
implement and monitor work health and safety requirements for work team
implement relevant enterprise biosecurity policies and procedures
implement animal welfare practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
supervisory procedures with regard to operations and personnel
principles staff management including team building and conflict resolution
wool industry codes of practice and quality systems
industry requirements with regard to hygiene and safety for wool harvesting and preparation facilities and equipment
how weather conditions can impact on wool harvesting programs
features of workplace documentation required for wool harvesting and preparation
employment agreements, industrial awards, relevant to the wool harvesting sector
the Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips and other relevant quality standards
requirements of work health and safety legislation, biosecurity and animal welfare 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.
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)