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.
Kilns may be:
electric
gas
pit
raku
salt
wood.
Historical and contemporary trends may relate to:
annealing ovens
enamelling kilns
glass-casting kilns
history and development of kilns:
early Chinese, Japanese and Korean
early European
modern kilns
primitive and tribal, including New Guinean, African, Micronesian and pre-Columbian
high fire pottery kilns
sculpture kilns
stained glass and flat glass kilns
source of energy, including fuel types, structure and configuration of different types of kilns.
Safety issues may relate to:
correct lifting techniques
kiln emissions
safe use of equipment
specific hazards associated with:
extreme heat
fuels
use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against dust and fibres.
Key requirements relate to:
cleaning
kiln location
monitoring equipment
safety equipment, including PPE
space around kiln
storage of kiln furniture and equipment
ventilation
work to be fired.
Firing program requirements may include:
annealing requirements
firing profile
maximum temperature
optimum firing time
soak times.
Kiln loading and unloading requirements may relate to:
positioning of work to take account of:
adequate pathways for flames
even distribution of temperature
ventilation of fumes and vapours
props
shelving
stability.
Firing process may include:
firing stages, the changes at each stage, and the temperature range and time as they relate to ceramics:
biscuit firing
glost firing
creating reduction in the clay body and the glaze
causing oxidation in the clay body and the glaze
maintaining a neutral atmosphere
creating a primitive fired effect
creating blackware
raku firing
saltglaze firing
wood firing
using saggars for support or effect
firing stages, the changes at each stage, and the temperature range and time as they relate to glass:
firing enamels and lustres
stained glass firing
bending
slumping
fusing
kiln casting
thick work
complex work
annealing.
Technical problems may relate to:
bloating
colour issues
dunting
firing cracks
thermal shock
overfiring
underfiring
warping.
Information may include:
control mechanisms used
firing process
energy and fuel type
timing.

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:
apply safe work practices when using kilns
produce multiple fired craft pieces that are technically sound and free from faults arising from the firing process
prepare own firing schedules
pack and fire kilns independently
apply knowledge of kiln types and kiln operations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a workplace or studio for the firing of craft work.
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:
evaluation of work produced by the candidate in terms of its technical resolution
direct observation of work in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques
written and/or oral questioning and discussion to assess knowledge and candidate’s intentions and work outcome
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.
Assessment methods should closely reflect work place demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes
CUVGLA502A Investigate glassworking materials and processes.