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:

prepare for and present guided tours or presentations for a range of audiences with different information needs

communicate effectively with a wide range of people

listen and respond to enquiries from members of the public

follow OHS and emergency procedures as required.

The skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct a tour or presentation 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 an animal care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include captive animal, companion animal services, animal control and regulation and veterinary facilities.

There must be access to relevant information, 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

presentation 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

apply effective presentation and public speaking skills

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling and working with animals

use presentation equipment effectively

use a two-way radio or other communication methods as required

literacy skills to read and follow facility policies and procedures, including OHS; follow sequenced written instructions; and select and follow procedures for a range of tasks

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the facility, including questioning techniques, active listening and consulting with supervisors

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use 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

problem-solving skills to engage an audience in a limited period of time.

Required knowledge

animals at the animal care facility, their habitats and species general natural history

animal care facility's structure and function

basic ecology

basic animal adaptation and behaviour

OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

organisation policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures

principles of animal welfare and ethics

public speaking techniques

subject matter for the tour

two-way radio and other communication procedures.

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.

Tour or presentation may include:

guided tours and presentations for individuals or small and large groups, including members of the public, school groups and specific tourist groups

specific promotional tours of animal care facilities aimed at attracting new clients or providing animal care advice to current clients.

Materials and equipment may include:

display items on touch tables

education brochures

electronic audiovisual equipment

enticement food

maps of the facility

marketing materials

torches

two-way radios

toys.

Specific group needs may depend on:

audience characteristics (e.g. age, gender, overseas visitors, disabilities or familiarity with the topic)

nature of the occasion

style of the venue and whether the session involves interaction with animals.

Public speaking and presentation skills may include:

ability to relate to the particular audience

body language

dress

eye contact

humour

listening techniques

voice control.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.