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.

Seeding:
Insertion of a nucleus (a rounded bead made from a bivalve shell, generally Mississippi pig mussel or mother-of-pearl) into the gonadal or somatic tissue of the shellfish for round pearl production.

Seeding activities:
· retrieval
· cleaning
· counting
· pegging
· insertion of nuclei
· recovery
· turning (tento)
· x-raying.

Labour requirements:
· handling workers
· vessel operators
· divers
· specialised operators.

Resource requirements:
· vessels, seeding or harvesting laboratory
· seeding or harvesting equipment, tools and nuclei
· seeding or harvesting and transport equipment.

Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles:
· applying animal welfare ethics
· disposing of wastes and mortalities.

Occupational Health and Safety requirements may include:
· codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes, which may apply in a jurisdiction
· enterprise-specific Occupational Health and Safety procedures, policies or standards.

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:
· advanced stock behaviour and biological requirements as they relate to seeding and harvesting of pearls
· safety considerations and hazards associated with stock handling equipment options and limitations, including use of radiography equipment
· handling hand monitoring equipment maintenance and advanced repairs.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· handling stock
· operating advanced handling and monitoring equipment
· seeding stock
· maintaining and repairing advanced handling and monitoring equipment
· recognising normal stock behaviour and environmental conditions
· supervising staff
· operating radiography equipment.

Licences may be required if:
· operating vessels
· diving.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading and interpreting a handling schedule
· recording handling information.

Numeracy skills used for:
· calibration of equipment
· counting stock.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· seed and harvest round pearls and supervise staff assisting in the process.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· seeding and harvesting techniques.

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:
· written or oral short-answer testing
· practical exercises
· observation of practical demonstration.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· seeding schedule
· seeding laboratory, equipment, tools and nuclei.