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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

comply with the rules and regulations applicable to employers and employees in the farriery industry

comply with the responsibilities of a farrier working in a range of equine industry sectors

perform farriery tasks to industry standards within the nominated timeframe

maintain personal health and fitness and personal presentation standards required by the industry

apply a range of verbal and written communication strategies to communicate effectively within the enterprise and with clients

use technology to assist communication.

The skills and knowledge required to work effectively as a farrier in the equine industries must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in worksites, where routine farriery tasks are performed, or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

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

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

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).

Required skills

complete work tasks within acceptable timeframes and to industry standards

contribute to team outcomes

interpret work orders/instructions correctly, including task and time requirements

gather and provide information in response to workplace requirements

operate communication equipment as appropriate

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS), waste management and hygiene standards; follow sequenced written instructions; and record the information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice when required

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

problem-solving skills to select required materials and equipment and prioritise tasks.

Required knowledge

awards and union coverage

communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to enterprise and individual work responsibilities

legislation and regulations related to employment as a farrier

OHS legislative requirements and farriery industry codes of practice

personal presentation standards applicable to farriery

principles and practices of maintaining personal health and fitness

principles of teamwork

protocols for entry to a horse establishment

regulations covering farriers in specific equine industries

range, use and availability of materials and equipment.

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.

Regulations and legislation may include:

contract of employment, and related industrial awards, both federal and state or territory

responsibilities of both the employer and the employee under federal and state legislation:

affirmative action

OHS, anti-discrimination and harassment

prevention of cruelty to animals

taxation law and superannuation requirements

workers compensation.

Industry sector rules may include:

the Rules of Racing (harness and thoroughbred)

industry and breed associations activities:

bushmans' carnival

campdrafting

carriage driving

endurance

hacking

Olympic disciplines

polo and polocrosse

pony club

vaulting

western competition.

Key industry personnel may include:

committees or industry governing bodies:

board members

organisation administrators

race or competition personnel:

stewards

technical delegate

ground jury

race day or competition veterinarian.

Roles and functions may include:

collaborating with other specialists:

other farriers

physical therapists

veterinarians

providing a consultation service to race or competition personnel

providing a service as a contractor to a stud, agistment or training centre

providing a service to a competition team at a specific event

providing a service to private customer

supervising the work of other farriers

working under the supervision of another farrier.

Timeframe considerations may include:

allowing adequate travel time between jobs

applying reporting procedures within the enterprise

following standard operating procedures

planning the order of work tasks

responding to requests and completing tasks punctually and within safe work practices and procedures guidelines.

Personal health and fitness issues may include:

personal hygiene

principles of maintaining personal health and fitness:

nutrition

exercise covering:

core strength and stability

flexibility

understanding of the impact of drug/alcohol use on health and fitness levels.

Vaccination requirements may include:

influenza

tetanus.

Personal presentation standards may include:

clothing is clean, in good repair, suitably durable for physical work performed primarily outdoors and presents a professional impression to clients and others

hair is tied back or able to be kept out of eyes and away from heat sources

language and manner is courteous to others

no jewellery

no loose clothing

personal protective equipment:

gloves for some tasks

items for sun and other weather protection

safety footwear and leg protection.

Verbal and written communication strategies may include:

verbal communication:

answering questions

describing actions

gathering information from clients and specialists

reporting findings to owners

reporting findings to veterinarians and other specialists

written communication:

documenting work tasks for invoicing clients

completing horse history records.

Technology used to support communication may include:

answering machines, pagers and fax machines

computer:

email and internet

data storage and retrieval

account software

telephones/mobile phones.