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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can apply safe and efficient techniques to collect, treat and store a range of seed species in line with species requirements and organisational guidelines

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, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to collecting seed

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to collecting seed

safely and efficiently using and maintaining seed collecting equipment and resources

treating and storing seed in line with site and industry specifications

recording seed collection information and results, and maintaining workplace information

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant equipment and resources; efficiently and safely carry out seed collecting procedures; identify a range of seed species and apply accurate identifying information; use a range of seed collection methods and related equipment

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others

Literacy skills sufficient to record and maintain information, including details of seed species, weight and place of origin

Numeracy skills sufficient to apply appropriate mathematical techniques to calculate seed weights and quantities

Problem solving skills sufficient to review and identify work requirements; identify problems and equipment faults; demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge

Applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for collecting seed

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material and returning the environment to its original or near to original condition on completion of activity

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for collecting seed

Environmental risks and hazards

Procedures for minimising environmental impact

Range of seed species and appropriate collection, treatment and packaging processes, including storage requirements for different seed species

Types of diseases and pests likely to infect a range of seed species

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include:

legislation

organisational policies and procedures

workplace practices

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

procedural manuals

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures

ethical standards

recording and reporting requirements

equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Work order is to include:

information and instructions for collecting, treating and storing seed

and may also include:

instructions for the environmental monitoring of work and procedures

environmental care requirements relevant to the work

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisors

suppliers

clients

colleagues

managers

Environmental protection measures may include:

ground growth

canopy

general forest lean

wind speed and direction

fallen trees

density of trees

ground slope

soil and water protection

ground hazards

obstacles

Approvals may include:

licences and permits required for commercial and non-commercial seed collection

government permits

landholder permits

Relevant authorities may include:

local governments

parks and reserves managers

forestry managers

relevant government departments and agencies/ authorities, such as those involved in sustainability and environmental issues

relevant Indigenous organisations and agencies

Equipment and resources may include:

personnel

vehicles

pruning and shaking equipment

sheets

tarpaulins

clean containers for holding seeds

vacuum seed collecting machines

ladders or elevated work platforms

personal protective equipment

Planning includes:

consideration of:

seed collection seasons

when the required species have fruit at optimal condition

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of positive, confident and cooperative language

use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences

control of tone of voice

Method of seed collection may include:

collecting after falling or felling

using ladders

climbing

shaking

high-powered rifles

cherry-pickers

Health of parent plant may require:

hand picking

careful and selective pruning

Labelling may include:

seed location

genetic identity

Separation methods may include:

hand selection

wind separation/winnowing

sieving

vibrating

flotation

drying

crumbling of husks

Seed treatment may include:

heat

mechanical

chemical protection against pests

Seed information may include:

time and date of harvest

time and date of receipt into store

weight

species

place or origin of seed

container identifier

Packaging may include:

vacuum sealing

use of inert atmospheres, such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide

control of packing environment, including temperature, light and moisture

Records and reports may be

maintained by:

electronic database

card index

data sheets

filing systems

and may be:

manual

a computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system