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 assisting with harness race starts

demonstration of effective mobile start vehicle driving skills, including maintaining required speed and distance from race field during starting operations and evasive action techniques

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of mobile start vehicle duties

working with others to undertake and complete driving 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 harness horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to drive mobile start vehicle at harness races

mobile start vehicles

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.

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 and effective driving and work practices when operating start vehicle

communicating with stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to driving the mobile start vehicle at race meetings

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

evaluating risks associated with race start activities

following and responding to instructions promptly

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

identifying behaviour of horses

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

recognising potential incidents or emergency situations and applying appropriate evasive action and strategies

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

relaying messages to others

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

industry terminology related to race meetings and the wider industry

limits of own responsibility

personal grooming and presentation requirements

protocols and procedures for communicating with licensed and other racing industry personnel

protocols and procedures associated with race start driving operations

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 requirements for irregularities and problems.

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.

Pre-start vehicle check will include:

battery

damage

fuel

lights

oil

power steering fluid

transmission fluid

tyre pressure

water.

Checking barrier and starter equipment will include:

barrier wing hydraulics

communication systems between starter and driver

damage

operation

transmission fluid.

Safe operating procedures will include:

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

ensuring vehicle keeps a suitable distance from horses that may be warming up on the track

ensuring driver stops or moves out of the way if there if a problem with a horse

ensuring horses are not near track entrance as vehicle enters.

Track emergencies may include:

horse injury

loose horses

mobile wings malfunction

driver injury.

Vehicle is driven out of the path of race field by:

accelerating away from field

moving to the side of the track then off track

taking care around corners as vehicle is top heavy with starter.

Reports to race club may include:

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.