This unit of competency applies to retail, service and repair complex estimation work within the repair sector of the automotive industry.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment.

Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions.

Competence may be demonstrated in a workplace environment or simulated workplace.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Estimate time requirements for jobs

1.1. Time estimates for job requirements are calculated based on warranty times, staff estimates, standard service/repair times, specifications, and subcontracted timeframes

1.2. Service/repair times are estimated and compared to documented estimate to ensure repair job is viable

1.3. Turn-around times for work completed by subcontractor are incorporated into total time estimates

2. Source parts

2.1. Viability of replacement compared to repair is ascertained to meet quality standards and legal requirements

2.2. Part requirements are determined to ensure cost constraints are met

2.3. Parts and consumables required for the job are ordered

2.4. Parts are sourced externally when internal stock is not available to meet customer requirements

3. Identify subcontract testing and/or service/ repair work costs for incorporation into the total estimated cost

3.1. Estimate is documented

3.2. Service/repair requirements, procedures and costs are documented in a logical order

3.3. Service/repair requirements are documented in detail

3.4. Estimate is relevant to the identified service/repair requirements

3.5. Potential variations are noted on the estimate

4. Estimate total job costs

4.1. External service providers are given a clear outline of the work and time requirements of the job

4.2. Job cost estimate is documented and agreed with external service providers

4.3. Parts and consumables are costed according to industry and/or enterprise pricing standards

4.4. Supplementary estimate is prepared, to gain authorisation from owner for additional service/repairs

4.5. Final estimate is documented

4.6. Authorisation is gained from customer to commence work and/or undertake supplementary work

5. Report estimations to customer

5.1. Report of findings is completed in the enterprise-approved format

5.2. Customer is advised of the estimation

5.3. Job card is completed and delivered to appropriate persons

Required skills

research and interpretive skills sufficient to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier procedures, workplace policies and procedures

analytical skills required for the identification and analysis of technical information

plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with customers and team members

questioning and active listening skills for example when obtaining information from customers

oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to customers

as applied to own work activities, including making good use of time and resources, sorting out priorities and monitoring own performance

interacting effectively with other persons both on a one-to-one basis and in groups, including understanding and responding to the needs of a customer and working effectively as a member of a team to achieve a shared goal

use mathematical ideas and techniques such as number and space and techniques, e.g. estimation and approximation, for practical purposes

apply problem-solving strategies in purposeful ways, both in situations where the problem and the desired solution are clearly evident and in situations requiring critical thinking and a creative approach to achieve an outcome

combine the physical and sensory skills needed to operate equipment with understanding of scientific and technological principles needed to explore and adapt systems

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

OHS regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements

principles of estimating and job costing

enterprise quality procedures

work organisation and planning processes

contract law

sale-contracting principles

written communication and report writing skills procedures relevant to application

oral communication skills procedures relevant to application

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

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements

communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work

selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances

completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner

estimating in accordance with workplace requirements

estimation is carried out to manufacturer/component supplier requirements

estimation of the work completed within workplace timeframes

report presented to customer is in compliance with workplace requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit will normally need to be assessed as a discrete entity. Performance may involve the application of a range of contributory competencies.

Assessment of this unit must be completed on the job or in a simulated work environment which reflects a range of quality processes and procedures.

The prescribed outcome must be able to be achieved without direct supervision.

The competence should be assessed within the context of the qualification being sought.

The following should be made available:

a workplace or simulated workplace

enterprise stationery, telephone and forms/business documents

repair order, job cards and quotes/estimates

computer and software, calculator

hand tooling, workshop equipment

access to information

Method of assessment

It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements.

Evidence of being able to:

access, interpret and apply service information

identify estimating and job costing procedures

accurately estimating time required for a job involving sublet work and/or a mix of service/repair disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electrical and body)

estimate on a wide variety of jobs, including non-routine jobs

justify a repair job deemed to be 'viable' from a cost perspective

justify a replacement/repair decision according to quality standards and legal requirements

use service tooling and equipment

observe safety procedures and requirements

provide customer service

prepare service reports

communicate with customers orally and in writing

maintain workplace documents.

Guidance information for assessment

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Variables

Variables may include:

jobs involving subcontracted work

jobs involving a mix of vocations (e.g. mechanical, body and electrical)

non-routine jobs

Methods

Methods include:

written and verbal communication

sourcing of parts

estimating costs

documentation

Legislative requirements

Legislative requirements may include:

state/territory OHS legislation, manufacturer/component supplier specifications and safe operating procedures

environmental requirements, manual handling procedures and insurance requirements

Information/documents

Information/documents may include:

manufacturer/component supplier specifications

enterprise operating procedures

customer requirements

industry/workplace codes of practice

Unit sector

Common

This unit contains employability skills.