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

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

applying sustainability principles and concepts

communicating and working effectively and safely with others

complying with commonwealth, state and territory WHS legislation applicable to workplace operations

complying with organisational policies and procedures, including quality assurance requirements

an understanding of employment in, and economic, public health and safety importance of, the plumbing and services sector

identifying personal development needs

identifying relevant standards and industry codes of practice

identifying workplace codes of conduct

identifying employment conditions and their source

understanding of regulatory requirements within the plumbing and services industry

locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications

participating in workplace meetings

identifying actions to manage workplace and/or personal conflict situations

setting personal and work team goals.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry-related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

communication skills to:

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand in order to consult with colleagues, communicate work progress, report problems, request support, work in a team and participate in meetings

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

initiative and enterprise skills to identify and report to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

literacy skills to:

interpret information from a variety of sources

record work priorities and deadlines

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

technology skills to:

use computers and download relevant information

use mobile communication technology

access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media

Required knowledge

basic conflict management

basic job and skill analysis techniques

interpersonal communication

job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)

meeting procedures

plumbing and services streams and career structure and requirements, including business opportunities and requirements

regulatory, legislative, standards and codes of conduct pertaining to the plumbing and services sector

relevant industrial awards and agreements

relevant legislative provisions covering discrimination and equal employment opportunity

site and team work structure and methods

training and development opportunities

work 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.

Plumbing and services sector employment conditions may include:

bulletins and newsletters

enterprise agreements

enterprise procedures for handling industrial disputes and grievances

industrial awards

industry and workplace codes of practice

workplace agreements.

Responsibilities and obligations must include:

codes of conduct

job description and employment arrangements

organisation's policy relevant to work role

skills, training and competencies

supervision and accountability requirements, including WHS

team structures.

Work health and safety requirements are to be according to commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:

handling of materials

hazard control, including of electrical hazards

identifying hazardous materials and substances

personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices

use of firefighting equipment

use of first aid equipment

use of tools and equipment

workplace environment and safety.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources

may include:

selecting appropriate material to ensure minimal environmental impact

efficient use and recycling of material

efficient energy and water use

disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Organisational requirements may be included in:

access and equity principles and practices

anti-discrimination and related policy

business and performance plans

ethical standards

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and organisation policy, guidelines and requirements

quality and continuous improvement processes

standards and defined resource parameters.

Team:

may be referred to as crews, gangs, shifts or other industry accepted terms

may include employer organisation and worksite organisation.

Team members may include:

coach or mentor

employee representative

peers and work colleagues

employer, supervisor or manager

other relevant personnel.

Own learning needs may include:

assessment processes

competency achievement and maintenance processes

formal vocational education

on-the-job training and job rotation

professional development

recognition of prior learning.

Meetings:

involve small team, section and workplace meetings

may be formal or informal

involve notification and scheduling, including:

local coordination of procedural and operational issues

organising time, place and purpose

task discussions.