This unit applies to individuals with a well established, sound theoretical knowledge base in unionism and industrial relations who provide leadership to members and staff in the union workplace. They carry high levels of responsibility and work at a senior level in the organisation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and implement a project plan to undertake research activities

1.1. Define and agree research project objectives and timeframes

1.2. Plan research process and implement in accordance with union policies and procedures

1.3. Ensure agreed project phases, approval and review points are implemented to accommodate all project management function requirements

1.4. Evaluate research process and report in relation to established project baselines to provide appropriate measures of performance

2. Coordinate and undertake the research process

2.1. Define information needs based on work objectives and organisational requirements

2.2. Identify and allocate appropriate resources

2.3. Allocate tasks to identified staff and gain support for the project

2.4. Develop strategies to acquire required information

2.5. Communicate the methods and aims of the research clearly

2.6. Research information in a timely and thorough way and within resource allocation

2.7. Monitor progress of research project and adjust to respond to internal and external factors

3. Analyse information and apply the results of analysis

3.1. Ensure specialist data and information is collected, consolidated and analysed to recommend outcomes and to advise trends to senior staff

3.2. Develop appropriate analytical techniques and processes, and apply to information in order to achieve defined objectives and meet requirements

3.3. Analyse information to identify facts, issues, patterns, interrelationships and trends

3.4. Undertake all work in a timely manner and meet defined standards of the union

4. Manage information systems

4.1. Maintain information systems so that data and system integrity is guaranteed

4.2. Maintain a range of standard and complex information systems and applications in accordance with organisational standards

4.3. Integrate information in a timely and coherent manner

5. Compile reports from information analysis

5.1. Use the findings from the analysis to provide advice and to develop policies and solutions which meet organisational requirements

5.2. Ensure reporting of results from analysis of information includes predictions, assumptions and constraints

5.3. Ensure reporting of results and analysis of information is logically sequenced, concise and clear

6. Evaluate the research process

6.1. Identify and communicate criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of research project and phases

6.2. Implement and monitor key measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of research processes

6.3. Debrief all staff involved in research project on progress and outcomes

6.4. Use appropriate strategies to ensure project outcomes are used effectively

Required skills

high level research and analytical skills

project management skills

technology skills to store data and to manage information

well developed writing skills.

Required knowledge

regional, national and international legislation and regulations relating to industrial relations, occupational health and safety (OHS), vocational education and training, equal opportunity and discrimination, trade practices

industry knowledge

union policies and procedures.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

documented research project plan, with research objectives, and the outcomes of the research project which meet the stated objectives

examples of how information and data in the union is effectively gathered and managed

knowledge of the industry/s involved in the research.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of research documentation

access to systems for gathering and storing data and information.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

review of agreedresearch project objectives and timeframes

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of union policies and procedures

assessment of written reports

review of strategies developed to acquire required information

evaluation of how the methods and aims of the research were communicated.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

other workplace relations units.

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.

Research projects could involve:

analysis of industry specific trends, statistics and issues

comparative national and international developments

information and analysis needed to develop a campaign, strategic plan, industry or sector plan and strategy, or to bargain effectively with employers

information and analysis to conduct a strategic comprehensive corporate or community campaign

Strategies could include:

commissioned research

computer- or web-based research

establishing expert or pre-eminent opinions

joint/collaborative work with academics, economists, social researchers, political parties, international agencies and industry groups

use of focus groups, polls and surveys

Specialist data and information could include:

information for a specific cultural or gender perspective

information, research and data in relation to corporations and inter-related bodies and connections within an industry and the economy

labour market, industry and employment statistics and related research

OHS statistics and related research

political and community polling around specific policy issues

vocational education and training statistics and related research

Information systems may involve:

databases and the use of spreadsheets, graphs, trend and time series, and mathematical equations

Unit sector

Workforce Development - Workplace Relations

This unit contains employability skills.