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 particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What services on the site may need to be located?
Services associated with the site may include water supply, stormwater, drainage, gas, power (electricity), and telecommunications.

What potential problems may be relevant to the installation of a Hydroponic system
Potential problems may include legal requirements, access, soil condition, topography, and climate.

What OHS hazards are likely to be associated with the installation of hydroponic systems?
OHS hazards may include manual handling, uneven or slippery surfaces, electricity cables, machinery and equipment operation used to clear or prepare the site, use of chemicals, and sharp hand tools.

What controls may be introduced to minimise the risk of OHS hazards?
Controls used should be in accordance with industry codes of practice and enterprise OHS policies and procedures, and may include cleaning and storing of equipment, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, safe operation of machinery and equipment, correct manual handling, and appropriate use of safety equipment such as signage and protective barriers. Basic first aid services should be available on site.

How might a site be cleared for the installation of hydroponic systems?
Clearing a site may include removing unwanted buildings, structures or vegetation.

What equipment and materials are likely to be used in hydroponic systems?
Equipment and materials may include injection pumps, polythene pipes, dripper systems, solenoid valves, salinity (EC) controllers, pH controllers, computer controls, sumps and storage tanks, growing beds (trays, vertical bags, etc.), greenhouse components, hotbeds/cold frames, heaters/coolers, misting systems, exhaust fans, shading materials and lighting.

How might a site be prepared for the installation of hydroponic systems?
Preparing a site may include levelling areas to be used for greenhouses, access roads, infrastructure, power or water supplies.

What infrastructure may be involved in installing a hydroponic system?
Infrastructure may include glasshouses, shade houses, stands, benches, flooring, and cladding.

What is likely to be checked after installation?
Checks may include pump flow rate, pipe work and seals, dripper flows, electronic controllers, drainage outlets, heaters/coolers and lighting, drainage flow rate, leaks, and regulators for pipe flow rates.

What hydroponic equipment will require calibration?
Hydroponic equipment may include EC or TDS meters and pH meters.

What media is likely to be installed?
Some hydroponic systems only use water culture growing methods, but if a growing media is used it may be aggregates such as sand, gravel, scoria, perlite, sawdust and peat or rockwool which is a fibrous material available as flock or in slabs.

What are the likely reasons for a test run of hydroponic equipment?
Reasons may be to ensure that plants receive sufficient moisture at a constant rate, that plant roots are well aerated, that plants receive nutrients at the correct rates, and that the pH of the nutrient solution remains within the desired range.

What waste materials may be generated from the installation of the hydroponic system?
Waste may include left over building materials, media, soil, plant debris, and equipment components.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in installing hydroponic systems requires evidence that the work can be prepared, that the system can be installed according to design and layout plans, and that hydroponic equipment can be tested and calibrated once the installation is complete.The skills and knowledge required to install hydroponic systems must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different hydroponic systems, locations and enterprises.
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:

recirculated and non-recirculated systems
media choices and their properties
legislation regarding the installation of hydroponic systems
head pressure and flow rates
environmental implications of the drainage of high nutrient effluents.

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:

read and interpret design and layout plans
test and calibrate hydroponic equipment
remove any waste material from site in an environmentally safe and sensitive manner.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?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
Problems arising during installation of hydroponic systems may need to be communicated to the client and/or manager. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information from design and layout plans may need to be collected, analysed and organised. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Activities may need to be planned and organised in a logical sequence and a written schedule prepared. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may need to be applied when preparing and clearing a site for installation. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques may need to be applied when calibrating hydroponic equipment. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills may need to be applied if equipment is not working properly during a test run. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be applied when using hydroponic monitoring equipment such as EC and pH metres. (2)