Elements and Performance Criteria

The unit applies to steering and suspension systems fitted to a range of light vehicles, which includes 4WD vehicles and light commercial vehicles
Types of steering and suspension modification may include lowered or raised normal ride heights, increased track width, variations between front and rear ride heights and reductions in ground clearance due to fitting non-standard components
Work involves ability to access technical information from published Australian Design Rules bulletins and interpret the content applicable to a customer specific steering and suspension modifications
Work includes ability to be able to explain in 'easy to understand terms' mandatory requirements to customer and be able to discuss implications of non-compliance findings

Competence may be demonstrated in a variety of workplaces involved with specific steering and suspension procedures, such as: service stations, dealerships, road-side repairers and automotive after-market specialists
Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment
Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions

OH&S requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures
Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulation/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices
Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement and working in proximity to others and site visitors
Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to clean-up management

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State/Territory and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment may include road springs, shock absorbers, sway bars and bump stops

Communications are to include but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault documenting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information sources may include, but are not limited to verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches
Safe work procedures related to determining compliance of steering and suspension modifications
Regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules
Engineer's design specifications and instructions
Organisation work specifications and requirements
Instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
Australian Standards

Critical aspects of evidence

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements
communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
locating and interpreting Australian Design Rules in relation to a customer suspension modifications
discussing Australian Design Rules interpretations at an understandable level with customer
making recommendations to avoid non-compliance situations
recommending a plan of action to provide a compliant response to customer's needs

Relationship to other units
Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Underpinning knowledge

A working knowledge of:

OH&S regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
purpose and format of Australian Design Rules
contents of Australian Design Rules relative to steering and suspension systems
enterprise procedures for determining compliance or non-compliance
enterprise procedures for making recommendations to resolve non-compliance situations
work organisation and planning processes
enterprise quality processes

Specific key competencies, underpinning and employability skills required to achieve the performance criteria
These include a number of processes that are learned throughout work and life, which are required in most jobs. Some of these are covered by the national key competencies, although others may be added. The details below highlight how these competencies are to be applied in the attainment of this unit.

Application of the key competencies in this unit are to satisfy the nominated level in which:

Level 1 - relates to working effectively within set conditions and processes;
Level 2 - relates to management or facilitation of conditions or processes; and
Level 3 - relates to design, development and evaluation of conditions or process.
How will the candidate apply the following key competency in this unit? The candidate will need to:

Collect, analyse and organise information
Apply research and interpretive skills sufficient to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier procedures, workplace policies and procedures
Apply analytical skills for identification and analysis of technical information
(Level 2)

Communicate ideas and information
Apply plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with customers and team members
Apply questioning and active listening skills for example when obtaining information from customers
Apply oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to customers
(Level 2)

Plan and organise activities
Apply planning and organising skills to own work activities, including making good use of time and resources, sorting out priorities and monitoring own performance
(Level 1)

Work with others and in a team
Interact effectively with other persons both on a one-to-one basis and in groups, including understanding and responding to the needs of a customer and working effectively as a member of a team to achieve a shared goal
(Level 1)

Solve problems
Establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage
(Level 2)

Use mathematical ideas and techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly calculate time, assess tolerances, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks
(Level 1)

Use technology
Use workplace technology related to determining compliance of steering and suspension modifications, including the use of measuring equipment, electronics, computerised technology and communication devices and the documenting/recording of results
(Level 1)

Context of assessment
Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite
Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies
Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
material relevant to determining compliance of steering and suspension modifications
equipment and tooling appropriate to determining compliance of steering and suspension modifications
activities covering mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions