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.

Appropriate communication methodsmay involve:
using interpreters
following cultural protocols
face-to-face meetings
limiting the amount of jargon and printed material and using as much visual information as possible.


Strategies and programs to maximise the opportunity to inform the community may include:
media strategies, e.g. regular tourism column in local newspaper
networking activities, e.g. regular functions between tourism operators and communities
educational activities, e.g. speaking at local schools
sponsorship activities, e.g. tourism sponsorship of local community activities
community representation on relevant tourism committees and boards
regular planning activities in conjunction with the local community
information on the internet.


Costs and benefits of tourism to communities may include:
benefits:
economic benefits to local community
improved local facilities
employment opportunities
cultural benefits, including cultural preservation
visitor education
greater understanding between host and visitor cultures
costs:
trivialisation of culture
effect on social structures
damage to environmentally or culturally sensitive areas.


Stakeholders may include:
general public
elected officials
senior bureaucrats
community groups
elders of Indigenous communities
tourism operators
tourism industry associations
land management and protection authorities
state, territory or local council regulatory authorities
trade unions
media.


Potential community conflict may relate to:
competition for local government resources
conflicting opinions about tourism development options
perceived threat to local amenities by high visitor numbers
conflicting opinions regarding local government levies for tourism
conflict between environmental and business groups.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
understanding the role of tourism within host communities, the impact of tourism and the role of major stakeholders
ability to develop and implement strategies for effective communication of tourism issues to a specific local community
ability to consult and communicate with the broad community.


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a fully equipped industry-realistic office environment using appropriate computers, communication technology, information programs and publications to facilitate the processes involved in developing and implementing communication strategies
access to a local host community where the community awareness program would be established and operated or access to comprehensive and sufficient information about that local host community to allow the candidate to plan for strategically, establish and operate a community awareness program
involvement of community stakeholders so that consultation can be achieved.


Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
case studies to address community awareness issues for a given community
project activities to develop a community awareness program in conjunction with a local, regional, state or territory tourism organisation
review of a completed community awareness program for a specific local community
case studies to assess the candidate's ability to evaluate communities with differing social, cultural and economic structures and issues
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge such as community impact of tourism, strategic and tactical community communication processes, and the structures of tourism management organisations
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITTPPD010A Develop and implement local or regional tourism plan.


Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.