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 processes that are to apply when promoting and maintaining business arrangements with greyhound owners

demonstration of effective negotiation and assertiveness skills in managing owners

preparation and application of criteria for the safe, effective and efficient maintenance of business arrangements with greyhound owners

working with others to promote and maintain arrangements that meet required outcomes

consistent, timely completion of promotion, maintenance and decision making processes that safely, effectively and efficiently meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time and be focused on business activities of an establishment that trains racing greyhounds. Theoretical components can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and tasks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. 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 currently in training

commercial racing training establishments, and training and racetracks

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to market and promote participation in racing as an owner

racing documentation related to owning and racing greyhounds

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

inspection of completed work

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBSMB403A Market the small business

BSBSMB406A Manage small business finances

BSBSMB407A Manage a small team

RGRPSG405A Operate a greyhound racing training business

RGRPSG407A Select greyhounds for racing.

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

applying safe handling and work practices while supervising owners around greyhounds

communicating with owners, staff and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to promoting and maintaining business arrangements with greyhound owners

identifying and recruiting potential new clients

managing conflict and potentially difficult situations

preparing accounts for services rendered in the preparation of greyhounds for racing

preparing information on kennel success and performance of greyhounds for owners and media

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

supporting others in owning greyhounds for racing

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation, reports and accounts.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

effective working relationships, including teamwork

industry terminology related to handling and racing greyhounds

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

rights and obligations of trainers and owners when racing greyhounds.

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 promote and maintain business arrangements with greyhound owners. Workplaces include kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Market research techniques may include:

conducting surveys to identify potential clients and their expectations

identifying racing participation demographics

investigating amount of money invested in racing

researching other trainer services and charges

reviewing membership numbers

reviewing participation and money invested in other sports.

Training services may include:

breaking in

conditioning greyhounds for racing fitness

educating greyhounds for race starts

educating greyhounds to chase, work and race against other greyhounds

preparing greyhounds for specialist events.

Relevant sources may include:

local and racing-specific media sources

local race clubs

greyhound racing owner groups

past and present owners

owner of bitch of winning greyhound

own website or newsletter

studmaster of sire of winning greyhound.

Needs of racing greyhound owners may include to:

be able to participate as owner at race meetings

be able to visit greyhounds at trainer's kennels

be advised if trainer wishes to rest greyhound

be advised of greyhound illness or injury

be advised of trial and race dates

be advised on selecting greyhounds for racing

be given a realistic opinion of greyhound's potential for future success

be kept informed of greyhound's progress during education, training and racing

be recognised and shown respect by trainer and staff

be recognised as a valuable client by trainer

be owner of a winning greyhound

discuss training and racing program plans with trainer.

Services to be provided may include:

education and re-education of greyhound for racing

feed and board for greyhound

management of sick or injured greyhounds

rehabilitation after injury

spelling or resting

training of greyhound for nominated racing program

transport to and from trackwork, trials and race meetings.

Contract for training of greyhound may cover:

clarifying how specialist or consultant fees will be paid, for example veterinary services

clarifying obligations of owner and trainer in relation to animal welfare legislation

date when fees are due

fee for services provided

method of payment

obligations of owner

obligations of trainer

provision for dissolving business arrangements

rights of owner to make decisions on greyhound activities

rights of trainer to make decisions on greyhound health, welfare and activities

rights of trainer to recover debts from owner

services to be provided.

Training progress reports may include:

days worked, type of work performed and any highlights or incidents

expected trial and race plans for the coming month

health and injury status, including updates on progress in recovery and expected prognosis for return to racing

number of trials attended and results.

Decisions on future plans for greyhounds may include should:

greyhound be aimed at lower or higher level races

greyhound be assessed by specialists before further plans are made

greyhound be moved to a different location

greyhound be moved to a different trainer

greyhound be rested

owner be encouraged to stop racing this greyhound.

Race meeting arrangements for owners may include:

advising owners of race date, location, race number and time

clarifying number of owners that can participate at race meetings if part of a syndicate or partnership

clarifying use of mobile phones and other methods of communication on course

clarifying what rights owners have to participate in inquiries or appeals relating to their greyhound

ensuring owners are able to participate in prize-giving ceremonies for their greyhounds

organising tickets or passes for owners

outlining procedures at race meetings so owners are aware of where they can and can not go.

Problems with owners may include:

accounts not paid

confusion over what services are included in base training fees

confusion over who makes decisions on greyhound's training, racing and future plans

fees charged appear to be high per person for members of syndicate

no account provided

not being acknowledged in role as owner

not being kept informed of greyhound health, injury and racing status

not clarifying fees prior to commencing training

prize money not credited

unspecified additional charges appearing on accounts.