This unit of competency supports greyhound attendants, kennel hands, trainers and others in the greyhound racing industry authorised to perform the duties of a greyhound catcher.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare to catch greyhounds.

1. Rules of racing , protocols and procedures related to catching pen operation are followed.

2. Pre-race catching preparations are followed.

3. Potential hazards in catching area are identified and strategies are used to minimise risk of injury.

4. Race is observed from catchers' designated area and issues that may affect catching procedures are identified.

Catch and control greyhounds post-race.

5. Greyhound is collected and restrained following catching pen supervisor or steward instructions.

6. Race incidents or observations are reported to greyhound's trainer or handler.

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds, including ensuring the safety of others

catching, leading and controlling greyhounds

communicating with stewards, racing officials, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to greyhound catcher duties

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

evaluating risks associated with catching greyhounds

following directions

identifying and correctly fitting gear

identifying individual greyhounds

performing pre and post-race catching pen procedures

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

using reporting protocols.

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to greyhound racing procedures

characteristics of healthy greyhounds

communication procedures during race day operations and within wider racing industry

effective working relationships, including teamwork

post-race care and welfare requirements of racing greyhounds

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

race day and trial catching pen procedures

relevant rules of racing.

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when performing catching duties at race meetings and trials

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound catcher duties

working with others to undertake and complete catching procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of greyhounds

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform the duties of a greyhound catcher

safe handling and catching pen areas, such as training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to perform the duties of a greyhound catcher. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Rules of racing, protocols and procedures may include:

Australian and local rules of racing relating to race meeting procedures

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to state, territory or federal legislation related to animal welfare

adhering to personal presentation standards

following instructions from racing officials, including:

stewards

catching pen supervisors.

Pre-race catching preparations may include:

arriving at catching pen prior to start of each race

collecting collar and lead or approved catching slip lead

knowing runner's number and race rug colours

observing race from catchers' designated area

presenting catcher's pass or identification to official if required.

Potential hazards in catching area may include:

getting hit by greyhounds running into pen

greyhounds attacking other greyhounds

greyhounds not entering catching area and running back down track

making physical contact with other greyhound catchers.

Issues in race or trial run may include:

greyhound falls or injuries

greyhounds fighting

lure malfunction

runners coming in late to catching pen.

Collected and restrained may include:

avoiding contact with other catchers or greyhounds

capturing greyhound as quickly as possible

controlling greyhound until trainer or handler arrives

entering catching pen only when supervisor or steward gives permission

securing greyhound with collar and lead as quickly as possible.

Incidents or observations may include:

attacks from other dogs

greyhound falling in catching pen

greyhound being hit by other dogs while pulling up

muzzle caught in teeth

obvious limping

torn or loose race rug.

Unit Sector

Greyhound racing code

This unit contains employability skills.