Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Construction work plan:
· construction activities
· order of activities
· construction or installation directions or design
· expected time required to complete activities
· standard of completed construction activities
· materials, tools and equipment required/arranged
· safety procedures.

Occupational Health and Safety procedures:
· operating power tools and equipment
· using load shifting equipment
· manual handling
· using chemicals and/or toxic substances
· excavations
· exposure to sun
· working on vessels
· diving.

Construction tasks:
· concrete or masonry work
· assembly of prefabricated buildings
· pipe laying and joining
· gravel or clay road/track surfacing
· basic welding (metal, plastic)
· brickwork and brick laying
· woodworking
· glass replacement.

Stock culture structure:
· enclosures and nets-holding, predator protection, handling and harvesting (dip, brails, traps, seines)
· shellfish ongrowing (some crustaceans, plants) -long lines, rafts, racks, fences-socks, trays, baskets, tags, barrels, cages, panels, self-feeding cages
· floating structures-cages/pontoons/pens, long lines, rafts, moorings
· ponds, tanks, dams, race ways
· harvest stock holding structures-tanks, bins, cages
· pest, predator and disease control structures.

Water supply and disposal system (for closed or semi-closed structures only):
· intake structure support screens
· channels, canals, or trenches (can be earthen, concrete or plastic lined)
· roaded banks
· spill ways
· siphons, including reducing diameter pipes
· hoses
· pipes (can be metal, PVC, rubber, concrete or polyethylene/polypropylene) pressure or sewage rating
· sumps
· pumps, bores, windmills
· storage dams or reservoirs
· sediment dams
· sprays
· flow meters, pressure gauges
· float switches, solenoids
· header tank
· settlement tank
· non-return mechanisms
· depth gauges
· sieves, filters or other mechanical, chemical or biological treatment structures
· flow control devices (taps, valves, float valves, monks, dykes, weirs, gates).

Farm structure:
· buildings
· green houses, hot houses, igloo
· fences
· jetties
· parking areas
· moorings
· ramps
· waste holding disposal structures
· water supply and effluent systems, pipes and channels
· tank, pump and blower stands
· tracks, roads and path ways
· soil conservation works
· equipment storage
· shelters and shade cloth
· security systems
· surrounding grounds/gardens.

Fixtures and fittings:
· water supply and effluent system
· ropes, moorings and buoys
· pumps and water treatment equipment
· screens, predator control equipment
· feeders
· water quality monitors
· storage areas
· lighting and heating equipment.

Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles:
Disposing of construction waste and debris.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· basic design principles and components of specific stock culture and farm structures
· general principles of structural design
· characteristics and construction techniques of plumbing and fittings
· assembly techniques for stock culture and farm structures
· enterprise Occupational Health and Safety procedures
· construction activities that require a licensed tradesperson.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· construction techniques relevant to the construction or installation task
· setting out and constructing prefabricated farm structures
· providing verbal report to supervisor.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading specifications, manufacturer's guidelines
· reading labels.

Numeracy skills used for:
· estimating and measuring of length, area, volume.

Licences may be required if operating:
· load shifting equipment, including forklifts
· vessels
· vehicles.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· construct or install stock culture structures and farm structures following a construction plan and enterprise procedures.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· construction techniques required for a specific task.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· No recommendations.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
project work, for example constructing or installing at least one stock culture structure and one farm structure that would be considered typical of those found on aquaculture enterprises in the region
a smaller scale model of the planned structure could be constructed/installed.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· construction plan
· site for construction or installation
· co-ordinator/supervisor overseeing the construction or installation
· resources as identified in the construction plan.