Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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 participate in media interviews for racing. Workplaces include greyhound kennels, harness and thoroughbred stables as well as greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.
Obligations of racing personnel to the racing authority may include:
assisting public relations officer with information dissemination
ensuring comprehensive preparation of subject matter
familiarity with rules of racing relevant to interview and subject matter
following procedural requirements in relation to commenting on current cases
following racing authority protocols
maintaining loyalty to racing authority.
Journalists' obligations and code of conduct may include:
audience, ratings and circulation
Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics (under the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance)
commercial considerations, including:
advertising
commercial news services
ethical conduct guidelines, including:
bias
fair play
independence
misrepresentation
off the record comments
plagiarism
sensationalism
truth and accuracy
government regulators
media ownership
non-government organisation lobby groups
other journalists
owners of commercial news services
professional conduct, regardless of personal or professional interests and pressures
public relations operatives
technological and time pressures.
Provision of relevant information to the media while complying with racing protocols may include:
who is permitted to speak to the media from the respondent's department
what types of information stewards or other enterprise representatives are authorised to distribute
what types of information require special clearance from the enterprise chief executive or public relations department.
Scope of information preparation for planned interviews may include:
who is involved in story
what happened
when it happened
where it happened
why it happened
how it happened
what the outcome was.
Ways information is presented in relevant and succinct format for media source may include:
face to face interview
press release
radio interview
text via internet, email or facsimile
telephone conversation
video or television interview.
Appropriate personal presentation and public speaking skills will include:
allowing appropriate amount of time and space to consider and respond to media questions
maintaining patience
personal presentation in the public eye, similar to standards at race meetings, for example members' area requirements
presenting information in logical order
refraining from interrupting
refraining from swearing, arguing or fighting
speaking clearly
using body language and voice that is assertive but not aggressive
using effective listening and speaking skills
using language that is not patronising but at suitable level
using non-discriminatory language
using strategies to deflect critical remarks, such as:
clarifying incorrect information before answering a question
focussing on long-term benefits rather than current impact
talking in terms of the public interest rather than organisation's
verifying what has been said or done and why it has been said or done.
Non-verbal communication skills include:
appropriate mode of expression, for example:
assertive
authoritative
compassionate
engaging the audience by looking at them
ensuring mannerisms are limited, for example:
fidgeting
hands in pockets
moving about
shifting position
focusing on the interviewer.
Press releases are prepared and reviewed:
avoiding longwinded sentences
avoiding repetitive phrases
ensuring controversial topics are treated positively and realistically
ensuring facts and figures are accurate
ensuring tone is polite but not too formal or familiar
including a title that encapsulates main purpose of the release
providing no more than one fact or idea per paragraph
providing specific facts rather than generalisations
stating the purpose
using illustrations or examples where necessary for clarity.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 participating in media interviews
demonstration of ability to prepare for and participate in media interviews
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient participation in media interviews
preparation of relevant and succinct press releases
working with others to undertake and complete procedures for dealing with the media 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:
materials and equipment relevant to preparing for and participating in media interviews and developing press releases, including:
examples of enterprise press release formats
sample media releases
relevant racing or simulated environments where media interviews are requested and conducted
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).