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 instructions that are to apply when performing duties of clerk of scales for horses

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of clerk of scales horse operations

working with others to undertake and complete the required procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.

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 thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to undertake duties of clerk of scales for horses

race day approved horse weighing facilities

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

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

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

RGRCMN001A Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols.

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 when dealing with horses

communicating with stewards, racing officials, and licensed and registered personnel using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to the conduct of duties of clerk of scales for horses

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

complying with animal welfare legislation

judging situations and seeking assistance to prevent problems arising or to overcome problems before they develop further

operating and correctly reading weighing scales

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

reporting incidents to supervisor or stewards in a timely manner

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

written communication skills to record date and complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

common horse handling techniques

communication procedures used by race day personnel and wider racing industry

equipment used in work role and procedures for its operation, shut down, maintenance and emergency stop

horse weight allowances and variations

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

range of behaviour traits exhibited by horses

relevant rules of racing

reporting lines and 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 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 perform the duties of clerk of scales for horses. Workplaces include thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks and administration buildings.

Reasons weight of horse may be important include:

betting fluctuations

conditioning

health

performance.

Safe operating procedures may include:

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

using an anti-rearing bit or bridle headpiece with bit and double clip lead

using personal protective equipment

using well-maintained and safe gear.

Safe and effective horse handling strategies may include:

applying appropriate restraining techniques

assessing behaviour prior to handling

identifying good behaviour traits and bad behaviour traits and vices

relating horse behaviour to level of education and experience of the horse.

Stewards are advised :

courteously and efficiently

maintaining confidentiality and discretion

promptly

using correct forms of greeting

via verbal and/or written communication, including:

describing actions

giving and receiving clear, accurate and simple messages

listening to and interpreting information and instructions

written reports may include simple documents and notes.