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 the duties of a cadet steward

demonstration of the ability to comply with rules of racing and race meeting protocols when assisting with race meeting operations and effectively supporting senior stewards in non-race meeting activities

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of cadet steward duties

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

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of racing operations and administration-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. 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:

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform cadet steward duties

racing administration buildings, training and racetracks, race trials and meetings and related facilities, including commercial kennels and stables

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.

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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

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

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRCMN202A Achieve requirements for industry induction.

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

adhering to safe handling and work practices when working around greyhounds or horses

communicating with senior stewards, racing officials, and licensed and registered personnel using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to cadet steward duties

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

computer skills, including:

data entry and retrieval

email and internet

spreadsheet applications

word processing

following OHS and environmental work procedures

identifying different items of greyhound and horse race gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use and need for repair

identifying individual animals by brand, colour, sex, and leg and face markings

identifying signs of ill health, injury or pain in racing animals

operating a range of equipment and technology

performing duties of related racing operations staff in cases of emergency or as required

providing clear and concise reports on race performance in verbal and written formats

recognising rapid alterations in an animal's position in race field

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

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

undertaking general administration duties, including filing, photocopying and telephone duties in an office environment

using initiative, discretion and judgements to solve racing issues and problems

using video and DVD recording and re-play devices and other equipment for racing operations duties

working within the boundaries set by regulatory bodies, other regulations and the racing industry

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

communication procedures for communicating with other stewards and officials, including reporting lines within the workplace and wider racing industry

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

greyhound or racehorse markings

hazards and potential hazards in the workplace and risk control procedures

industry terminology related to cadet steward duties and wider racing industry

OHS and environmental legislative requirements

organisational policies and procedures

principles of effective communication

procedures for operation and maintenance of office equipment and other technology

purpose and comprehension of racing and non-racing operations documentation

purpose of gear and reasons for identifying and reporting problems with condition, fit and safety

racing industry animal welfare requirements

reasons racing animals may not perform as expected

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

roles and activities of licensed and non-licensed racing industry personnel

size and structure of the racing industry

symptoms of and ways of checking for common signs of injury, ill health or distress in racing animals.

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 a cadet steward. Workplaces include greyhound kennels, harness and thoroughbred stables, racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.

Stewards oversee the conduct of all racing-related activities within the responsibilities and powers described under the rules of racing. The conditions under which this unit is delivered and assessed must take into consideration these powers and responsibilities. These powers and responsibilities are further described in the rules of racing for the relevant racing code. It is strongly recommended that training facilitators and learners refer to these powers and responsibilities as part of the range of conditions for all units covered in the steward specialist area of the Training Package.

Equipment used in racing operations may include:

animal descriptions

approved gear list

barrier draw

binoculars

form guide

offence reports

race fields

race colours

recording equipment

two-way radios

video re-play equipment.

Roles in race day operations include:

clerks of course

clerks of scales

kennel attendants or barrier attendants

racecourse detectives

race day farriers

race day veterinarians

race starters

scribe or shorthand writers

stewards.

Incidents reported may include:

contravention of rules of racing

unsafe work practices

ill treatment of racing animals.

Factors considered for condition, fit, safety and authorised use of gear may include:

common safe greyhound or horse handling techniques

relevant rules of racing

types of gear permitted.

Identification verified may include:

brands

colour

ear tattoos

markings

sex

using a scanner to read microchip information.

Animal performance indicators may include:

jumping quickly and cleanly from the barriers or boxes

placement during the race

signs of animal fatigue during race

deviations during the race

animal's ability to finish the race strongly.

Features of healthy racing animals may include:

bright eye, shiny coat, defined musculature, sound action and alert manner

signs of unhealthy horses are:

discharge

dull coat

dull eyes

elevated temperature

listlessness

skin disease

swollen joints

symptoms of injuries may include:

abrasions or cuts

fractures

heat in limbs

lameness

sprains

strains.

Safety and security of kennels or stables may include:

adequate lighting and air flow

clean, well-maintained and ventilated kennels or boxes and feed rooms

electricity sources in good condition

exits not obstructed

fire equipment operational

gear and equipment in good repair

visual deterrents, such as surveillance, signage and locks.

Records information may include:

acceptance lists

current racing code notices of greyhound, horse or trainer offences

documents of description, registration papers and registration cards

driver or jockey disciplinary or offence records

form guides

greyhound or horse identification summary

greyhound performance records

kennel or stable returns

kennel or stable workplace safety audits

nomination forms

race colours

steward liaison with racing office clerks or handicappers to check eligibility of greyhound or horse to race and the status of any owner, trainer, driver or jockey involved in the meeting.