Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What requirements may be assessed for livestock handling and/or accommodation facilities?
This may include an estimate in relation to numbers of livestock to be handled/accommodated, an assessment of the need for portability, the types of livestock holding operations to be conducted. It may also include an assessment of hazards to health and safety associated with existing facilities for the purpose of eliminating hazards.

What types of livestock may be relevant to this standard?
This may include sheep, goats, horses, pigs, poultry and cattle.

What range of livestock handling facilities may be considered?
This may include fixed and portable yards, drafting gates, livestock dips, laneways, gates, crutching and shearing machinery, mulesing and marking cradles, loading ramps, races, pens, showers, fencing, shearing and crutching sheds, livestock handling equipment, drying sheds, intensive production sheds and pens, cages, and milking sheds.

Where might information and plans with regard to handling facilities be sourced?
Sources of plans may include other livestock producers, breed associations, publications, educational institutions, commercial suppliers, Departments of Agriculture/Primary Industries, consultants, own resources and commercial sources.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable?
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and managers oral or written instructions.

What physical elements and features of a new or existing site may be assessed?
This may include an assessment of soil, topography, existing vegetation and climatic factors.

What information may be included in a final plan?
Information is relevant and precise and clearly communicates development works to be undertaken. It applies appropriate construction and engineering principles according to industry standards, and any notes and specifications are included to assist in plan interpretation. It may also include any difficulties or issues faced, recommendations for future work, results, cost estimates and data analysis. Cost estimates may include items in Bill of Quantities, labour, and machinery and equipment.

What requirements may be assessed for livestock handling and/or accommodation facilities?
This may include an estimate in relation to numbers of livestock to be handled/accommodated, an assessment of the need for portability, the types of livestock holding operations to be conducted. It may also include an assessment of hazards to health and safety associated with existing facilities for the purpose of eliminating hazards.

What types of livestock may be relevant to this standard?
This may include sheep, goats, horses, pigs, poultry and cattle.

What range of livestock handling facilities may be considered?
This may include fixed and portable yards, drafting gates, livestock dips, laneways, gates, crutching and shearing machinery, mulesing and marking cradles, loading ramps, races, pens, showers, fencing, shearing and crutching sheds, livestock handling equipment, drying sheds, intensive production sheds and pens, cages, and milking sheds.

Where might information and plans with regard to handling facilities be sourced?
Sources of plans may include other livestock producers, breed associations, publications, educational institutions, commercial suppliers, Departments of Agriculture/Primary Industries, consultants, own resources and commercial sources.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable?
Standard operating procedures (SOPs), industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and managers oral or written instructions.

What physical elements and features of a new or existing site may be assessed?
This may include an assessment of soil, topography, existing vegetation and climatic factors.

What information may be included in a final plan?
Information is relevant and precise and clearly communicates development works to be undertaken. It applies appropriate construction and engineering principles according to industry standards, and any notes and specifications are included to assist in plan interpretation. It may also include any difficulties or issues faced, recommendations for future work, results, cost estimates and data analysis. Cost estimates may include items in Bill of Quantities, labour, and machinery and equipment.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to develop plans for handling and/or accommodation facilities to maximise efficiency of handling operations. It requires the ability to access and interpret plans, arrange surveys and analyse results, calculate cost structures, obtain legal authorisations for development and provide alternative options. Evidence must also be demonstrated in an awareness of legislative requirements associated with planning and construction activities.
The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to another rural environment. For example, this could include different livestock, handling and/or accommodation requirements and enterprise procedures.
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:

livestock behaviour and design interactions
enterprise operations
costing alternatives
livestock handling and/or accommodation facilities and their uses
site analysis and issues
industry and legislative requirements for the planning and establishment of livestock handling facilities
OHS issues and legislative requirements
codes of practice with regard to environmental protection.

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:

evaluate and recommend alternative options
identify appropriate safe workplace procedures for livestock and personnel
regularly access industry information databases to maintain currency with industry developments
incorporate safety considerations in all aspects of design
communicate effectively in both verbal and written form to discuss, advise and receive feedback from the enterprise
read, interpret and prepare detailed reports and plans
estimate and measure dimensions, and calculate establishment costings.

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:

livestock behaviour and design interactions
enterprise operations
costing alternatives
livestock handling and/or accommodation facilities and their uses
site analysis and issues
industry and legislative requirements for the planning and establishment of livestock handling facilities
OHS issues and legislative requirements
codes of practice with regard to environmental protection.

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:

evaluate and recommend alternative options
identify appropriate safe workplace procedures for livestock and personnel
regularly access industry information databases to maintain currency with industry developments
incorporate safety considerations in all aspects of design
communicate effectively in both verbal and written form to discuss, advise and receive feedback from the enterprise
read, interpret and prepare detailed reports and plans
estimate and measure dimensions, and calculate establishment costings.

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 and ideas with regard to options for the design of livestock handling facilities may be discussed and sourced from the industry information network. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas with regard to options for the design of livestock handling facilities may be discussed and sourced from the industry information network. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to available resources and facilities and enterprise requirements may be collected and organised by reports for analysis. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to available resources and facilities and enterprise requirements may be collected and organised by reports for analysis. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Arrangements for obtaining site analysis data and relevant authorisations may be arranged as part of the co-ordination of the planning process. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Arrangements for obtaining site analysis data and relevant authorisations may be arranged as part of the co-ordination of the planning process. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to design appropriate livestock handling facilities to meet enterprise objectives. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to design appropriate livestock handling facilities to meet enterprise objectives. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate capacities and dimensions of handling facilities. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate capacities and dimensions of handling facilities. (3)

Solving problems
Problems of difficult sites may be resolved in alternative plans or modifications. (3)

Solving problems
Problems of difficult sites may be resolved in alternative plans or modifications. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be used to source information, communicate, record and measure and calculate. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to source information, communicate, record and measure and calculate. (2)