Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What may be involved in clip preparation procedures?
Clip preparation methods may be established in consultation with other shed personnel, and may involve identifying the fibre and grade, and matching the fibre lines to industry standards. It may also involve clean operating strategies to eliminate clip contamination.

What classing criteria may be used?
This may include the breed of goat, fibre diameter, tensile strength, style, length, colour and contamination.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use), and reporting requirements.

What types of equipment may be arranged?
This may include classing tables, lights, woolpacks/bags, bale clips, fibre press, and clearly labelled bins and containers.

What types of goat fibre may be classed?
Fibre may include cashmere, mohair and cashgora.

What types of clip contaminants may be identified?
This may include burrs and vegetable matter, pigmented or stained fibre, shed debris and wet fibre.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, and respirator or face mask.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fibre handling and harvesting
protection from electrical hazards, organic and other dusts
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What may be involved in classing procedures?
Classing may involve identifying and grading fibre, and matching fibre lines to industry standards. It may also include sorting fleeces, pieces, bellies, locks, prematurely shorn fleece, stained fleece and crutchings.

What may be involved in clip preparation procedures?
Clip preparation methods may be established in consultation with other shed personnel, and may involve identifying the fibre and grade, and matching the fibre lines to industry standards. It may also involve clean operating strategies to eliminate clip contamination.

What classing criteria may be used?
This may include the breed of goat, fibre diameter, tensile strength, style, length, colour and contamination.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use), and reporting requirements.

What types of equipment may be arranged?
This may include classing tables, lights, woolpacks/bags, bale clips, fibre press, and clearly labelled bins and containers.

What types of goat fibre may be classed?
Fibre may include cashmere, mohair and cashgora.

What types of clip contaminants may be identified?
This may include burrs and vegetable matter, pigmented or stained fibre, shed debris and wet fibre.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, and respirator or face mask.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
fibre handling and harvesting
protection from electrical hazards, organic and other dusts
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

What may be involved in classing procedures?
Classing may involve identifying and grading fibre, and matching fibre lines to industry standards. It may also include sorting fleeces, pieces, bellies, locks, prematurely shorn fleece, stained fleece and crutchings.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to implement clip preparation and fibre classing methods to maximise returns. It also requires an awareness of classing criteria, the ability to identify and dispose of contaminated and wet fleece, and accurately place fleece into appropriately labelled containers. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the employment of safe workplace and positive environmental practices. The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to different work environments. For example, if competence is evident in classing goat fibre, it must be evident that these skills may be adapted in classing sheep wool.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

fleece measurement criteria
appraisement types
fleece handling procedures
clip analysis reports and comparisons
classing specifications
code of practice for Preparation of Australian Cashmere, Cashgora Fleece and Mohair
sources of fleece contamination
OHS legislative requirements including the National code of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

establish and maintain consistent methods of clip preparation
class fleece to industry standards
layout the shed and equipment for efficient operation
maintain clean working conditions for clip preparation and classing procedures
accurately assess fibre quality and types
communicate verbally with the work team, interpret and apply task instructions
measure goat fibre.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

fleece measurement criteria
appraisement types
fleece handling procedures
clip analysis reports and comparisons
classing specifications
code of practice for Preparation of Australian Cashmere, Cashgora Fleece and Mohair
sources of fleece contamination
OHS legislative requirements including the National code of practice for the Shearing Industry (Health, Safety and Welfare standards).

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

establish and maintain consistent methods of clip preparation
class fleece to industry standards
layout the shed and equipment for efficient operation
maintain clean working conditions for clip preparation and classing procedures
accurately assess fibre quality and types
communicate verbally with the work team, interpret and apply task instructions
measure goat fibre.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to clip preparation procedures and classing strategies may be discussed and confirmed with shed personnel or manager. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to clip preparation procedures and classing strategies may be discussed and confirmed with shed personnel or manager. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to types and sources of fleece contaminants may be collection and organised for reference. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to types and sources of fleece contaminants may be collection and organised for reference. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Arrangement of facilities and equipment may be planned prior to clip preparation and classing process to ensure an efficient flow of work. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Arrangement of facilities and equipment may be planned prior to clip preparation and classing process to ensure an efficient flow of work. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of efficient and effective procedures to complete work tasks within timeframes. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of efficient and effective procedures to complete work tasks within timeframes. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used in the classing and measurement of goat fibre. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used in the classing and measurement of goat fibre. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of wet or stained fleece or shed debris may be resolved by prompt removal and cleaning procedures to minimise contamination. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of wet or stained fleece or shed debris may be resolved by prompt removal and cleaning procedures to minimise contamination. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, source information and measure goat fibre. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, source information and measure goat fibre. (1)