Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
10) This relates to the unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the performance criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
This unit shall be demonstrated in relation to developing, entering and verifying programs for programmable logic controllers. The program shall include at least five of the following functions/controls:
Derived timers (off delay)
Self resetting
Constant duty cycle
Reversible counters
Cascading timers
Cascading counters
Combining timers and counters
Internal relays/flags/markers
Latching relays (set/reset)
Jump instructions
Master control instructions
Bit shift registers
Scan time considerations
One shot
Retentive (power fail) functions
Simple step sequence instructions
Generic terms used throughout this Vocational Standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms that apply are given in Volume 2, Part 2.1.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria and the range statement of the unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.
The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this unit. It must be used in conjunction with all parts of this unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment
9.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the industry-preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accordance with industry and regulatory policy.
Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.
The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature to minimise error in judgment.
Activities associated with normal everyday work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.
Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated performance criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the ‘Assessment Guidelines - Evidence shall also comprise:
A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:
Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices, including the use of risk control measures as specified in the performance criteria and range statement
Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the performance criteria and range statement
Demonstrate an understanding of the required skills and knowledge as described in this unit. It may be required by some jurisdictions that RTOs provide a percentile graded result for the purpose of regulatory or licensing requirements.
Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment
Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures
Demonstrated consistent performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:
Develop, enter and verify programs for programmable controllers as described in 8) and including:


A
Developing a control system solution to the required operating functions and parameters.

B
Identifying non-compliance conditions of device installation.

C
Converting control system to a PLC program.

D
Entering programming functions and parameters correctly.

E
Transferring programs to a PLC.

F
Correcting programming anomalies.

G
Testing and verify control system operation.

H
Transferring program to external storage.

I
Documenting control system and programming clearly.

J
Dealing with unplanned events by drawing on required skills and knowledge to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in a holistic assessment with the above listed items.
Note:
Successful completion of relevant vendor training may be used to contribute to evidence on which competency is deemed. In these cases the alignment of outcomes of vendor training with performance criteria and critical aspects of evidence shall be clearly identified.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:
OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed in this unit.
These should be used in the formal learning/assessment environment.
Note:
Where simulation is considered a suitable strategy for assessment, conditions for assessment must be authentic and as far as possible reproduce and replicate the workplace and be consistent with the approved industry simulation policy.
The resources used for assessment should reflect current industry practices in relation to developing, entering and verifying programs for programmable logic controllers using ladder instrument set.

Method of assessment
9.4)

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 ‘Assessment Guidelines’.
Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires assessment in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the required skills and knowledge described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units
9.5)

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit.