Application
People who set up their own opal-cutting workshop apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.
Where appropriate the outcomes of this unit could be contextualised to apply to other gemstones.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess workshop requirements | 1.1 Decide what the workshop is to be used for and how many people will be working there 1.2 Determine the consumables, fixtures and fittings needed for an opal-cutting workshop 1.3 Identify essential and desirable machinery needed for a cutting and polishing workshop 1.4 Assess the OHS issues for an opal-cutting and polishing workshop and determine control measures required 1.5 Determine the environmental protection requirements and plan compliance 1.6 Assess the specifications for the building needed for an opal-cutting workshop, including size, electrical fittings, and water and drainage requirements |
2. Identify suppliers of machinery and consumables and establish set-up cost | 2.1 Identify manufacturers and suppliers/agents for new and second-hand lapidary equipment 2.2 Compare prices and advantages and disadvantages of new and second-hand equipment, and the costs in obtaining machinery and equipment 2.3 List suppliers of consumables and compare prices 2.4 Obtain estimates of the cost of services required to set up the workshop |
3. Investigate resources needed to set up the workshop | 3.1 Develop a draft budget and cash flow for the first year of operation 3.2 Use appropriate research techniques to investigate sources of finance and repayment schedules |
4. Document the information | 4.1 Record the information gained 4.2 Organise the information so that it can be used as the basis for making a decision on whether to proceed with the option to set up an opal cutting and polishing business |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to:
source information from suppliers about costs and equipment requirements
obtain estimates from service providers and financial institutions
document and access information on opal-cutting equipment, manufacturers and the setting up of an opal-cutting workshop
initiative and enterprise skills to:
obtain estimates
develop draft budgets and cash flow
investigate sources of finance
planning and organising skills to record information and organise it in a way that can be used as a basis for decision making
problem-solving skills to identify contingencies, such as OHS issues and rectify them
numeracy skills to develop draft budgets, cash flow and price materials
self-management skills to deliver information on time to appropriate persons for review and decision making
basic research skills, including internet searching skills.
Required knowledge
opal-cutting workshop requirements
manufacturers and suppliers of opal-cutting equipment
basic cost analysis, business principles and business planning.
Evidence Required
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: identify the requirements for setting up and financing an opal-cutting workshop organise the information in such a way that it can be used as a basis for decision making. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: various reference materials internet lapidary magazines and catalogues. |
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: observation of processes and procedures oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills review of portfolios of evidence review of third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate. 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. |
Range Statement
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.
Fixtures and fittings may include: | air conditioning benches chairs chemical cupboards cupboards floor coverings safes security requirements, such as door and window locks alarms shelving telephone windows and doors. |
Machinery and equipment may include: | bench grinder 6″ or 8″ combination units for grind, sand and polish diamond grinding, sanding and polishing units drum or belt sanders dry sanding units free-hand saws grinding arbours with belt drive leather or felt polishing units multi-blade saws slab saws trim saws ventilation system and filters wet sanding units. |
OHS issues may include: | appropriate clothing and footwear chemicals cleanliness of work areas dangers of using electricity and water in the same environment dust and fumes ergonomics fire extinguishers first aid kit guarding for machinery lighting naked flames noise safety glasses ventilation. |
Electrical fittings may include: | cabling and machine wiring exhaust fans and dust extraction hardwired control and fuse box lighting primary and secondary switches and safety stops waterproof power outlets. |
Water and drainage requirements may include: | hosing to machinery sludge traps splash guards taps water drainage and disposal water supply, mains or gravity fed water trays. |
Manufacturers and suppliers/agents may include: | Ashworths Pty Ltd Contempo Lapidary Covington Des Liston Lapidary Diamond Pacific Embel Lapidary Gemmasta Gemtec Graves Lapcraft Raytech Robilt Shelleys Lapidary Supplies T. F. Lapidary Thompson’s Lapidary Western Lapidary Supplies. |
Costs may include: | bank charges currency exchange duty or excise freight GST initial cost of machine insurance ongoing maintenance postage set-up costs. |
Services may include: | electrician plumbing. |
Sources of finance may include: | banks credit unions partnerships private loans. |
Sectors
Opal cutting and polishing
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.