Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources of information may include:
career websites
community activities
commonwealth and state industrial awards
events, such as:
conferences
seminars
social events
trade fairs
interaction with current industry practitioners
job descriptions
online social networks
print and electronic industry journals and media
professional associations and industry bodies
reference manuals
unions and employer bodies
websites
workplace documents, such as:
handbooks
policies and procedures
workshops and training programs.
Industry organisations may include:
archives
co-located local government services, such as:
council
gallery
library
museum
tourist information centre
community advisory organisations or bureaus
cultural centres
government departments, agencies or shopfronts
libraries, such as:
business
law
medical
national and state
public and private
school
TAFE
university
museums
online service providers
records and information management services.
Professional associations and industry bodies may include:
Australian Information Industry Association
Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material
Australian Library and Information Association
Australian School Library Association
Australian Society of Archivists
Blue Shield
Collections Australia Network
Council of Australian University Librarians
International Council on Archives
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
International Council of Museums
Museums Australia
National and State Libraries Australasia
National Library of Australia
Public Libraries Australia
Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia.
Key issues and trends may include:
access versus ownership of resources
automated systems and self-service systems
competition in the information and leisure sectors from traditional and non-traditional sources
constraints on the ability to lend e-resources
customer expectations
declining budgets and levels of government funding
demographic changes, such as:
aging of the community
shifting population bases
developments in legislation, particularly in relation to digital resources
emerging and evolving technology, such as:
e-readers
mobile platforms
radio frequency identification (RFID)
growth in e-resources, such as e-books
increasing personal access to broadband telecommunications
legislative constraints
multi-skilling of labour force
need for more effective marketing
one-stop shops in locations, such as:
councils
galleries
libraries
museums
tourist information centres
online social networks
outsourcing of services, such as cataloguing
provision of resources and services online
self-funding organisations
service and content personalised to users
shift from facilities being collection/resource spaces to people places
sustainability
user pays services
virtual libraries, galleries and museums
volunteer workforce in cultural sector, including student volunteer activities
current and emerging web applications.
Career opportunities and employment conditionsmay relate to:
award provisions
basic rights and responsibilities of employers and employees
career opportunities, particularly as a consequence of industry changes
career pathway plans, including:
career objectives
details of formal education and training
e-portfolio or résumé
job search tools and methods
professional development plans and activities
seeking opportunities for mentoring or multi-skilling
short and long-term goals and milestones
skill development in finding, applying for and winning positions
skill development to meet particular job or career requirements
strategies for:
job rotation or exchange
job sharing
multi-tasking
work-based projects
workplace training
employment conditions
enterprise bargaining agreements
job descriptions
job roles
labour legislation, such as the Fair Work Act
professional development
organisational charts.
Structures and operations may relate to:
funding sources, such as:
donations
private or self-funded
public
revenue raising through commercial enterprises
sponsorships
non-profit organisations
private-public partnerships
public or private organisations.

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

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
source, assess and evaluate a range of information for the relevant industry sector
explain the value and principles of the relevant industry sector and how they relate to funding and service delivery
recognise legislation relevant to the workplace and ethical issues
identify major industry trends and technology developments
identify a career pathway plan.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
current sources of industry information
appropriate technology to undertake research and prepare documents.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance
evaluation of candidate’s response to different scenarios showing ability to apply knowledge
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of the development, philosophies and services of the relevant industry sector
evaluation of research projects.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands for literacy and the use of business technology.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBIPR401A Use and respect copyright.