Any visual artist or designer who uses metal in their work must develop some technical proficiency with metal-working tools and materials. This technical proficiency is not equivalent to that of a metals tradesperson. Work must be undertaken according to safety requirements.
This work is undertaken independently with some guidance and mentoring available as required.
Not applicable.
1. Evaluate metal-working options for work projects | 1.1 Evaluate how metalwork may be used in art and design practice to achieve desired outcomes or effects 1.2 Explore the potential of different metals and the technologies and tools required for their use 1.3 Investigate specific safety requirements associated with metalwork, including appropriate licensing considerations 1.4 Make an assessment of capacity to safely use metalwork in own practice |
2. Select and prepare metal-working materials, tools and equipment | 2.1 Establish the needs and purposes of specific work projects in consultation with relevant people 2.2 Establish technical specifications and creative parameters for metalwork 2.3 Select and set up materials, tools and equipment following all safety requirements and instructions 2.4 Calculate correct quantities of materials, avoiding wastage where possible |
3. Use metal-working techniques | 3.1 Cut, bend and shape metal to specification using correct tools and following all required safety procedures 3.2 Apply soldering, brazing and welding techniques following all required safety procedures 3.3 Achieve different outcomes and effects through safe experimentation with various media and materials 3.4 Recognise and resolve metalwork technical and design problems 3.5 Achieve precision and accuracy in use of metal-working techniques 3.6 Apply safe strategies for the use, maintenance and storage of metal-working tools and equipment |
4. Evaluate metalwork | 4.1 Review metal items produced in terms of durability, quality of finish, and suitability for purpose 4.2 Assess the work in terms of its creative and aesthetic objectives 4.3 Identify and act on the potential for adjustment and refinement in future work |
Required skills
communication skills to liaise with others about work requirements
critical thinking and analytical skills to:
evaluate ways of achieving required effects and results
experiment with different metals and metal-working techniques
literacy skills to:
read technical data and instructions about use of materials and tools
interpret technical information and instructions about the use of particular metal-working techniques
planning and organising skills to select and organise materials and equipment
problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical metal-working issues
numeracy skills to:
make calculations and measurements
use numerical features of metal-working equipment
self-management skills to evaluate the quality of own work and identify opportunities for improvement
technical skills to safely use materials, tools and equipment for metal-working processes.
Required knowledge
current metal-working technologies and equipment and their application to different purposes
properties and applications of metal-working materials and techniques
reasons for the use of particular materials and techniques to achieve particular effects
common technical problems that arise in the metal-working processes of cutting, bending, shaping, soldering, brazing and welding
sustainability considerations for metal-working
OHS requirements for materials and equipment used in metal-working.
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 ability to: produce multiple metal items that are technically sound apply safe work practices with metal-working equipment and materials apply knowledge of the properties of metals and their behaviour. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: metal-working materials, tools and equipment a work space in which items can be constructed safely. |
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 observation of the candidate using metal-working techniques questioning and discussion about candidate’s work processes review of portfolios of evidence review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. |
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.
Safety requirements associated with metalwork may relate to: | protective clothing use of chemicals use of gas use of hot materials work space set-up. |
Purposes may be to create: | art functional items (one-off or multiples) models props prototypes samples. |
Relevant people may include: | artists designers mentors metal-working experts production personnel supervisors teachers tradespeople. |
Technical specifications may relate to: | cost of production durability and strength how and where the item is to be viewed or placed number and size of items to be produced type of material to be used. |
Materials may include: | ferrous metals non-ferrous metals. |
Tools may include: | benders croppers drop hammers saws: automatic band cold hand rollers soldering irons straight line cutters. |
Equipment may include: | gas cylinders jigs welding machines work benches. |
Technical and design problems may relate to: | aesthetic appeal availability of materials durability and strength time for production. |
Visual communication – art, craft and design
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.