Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this unit of competency. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts.

Which bioagents may be included?
Plants, vegetable, agars, soil and other suitable media.

Which laboratory policy standards may be prescribed?
Hygiene, cleaning and sterilisation, quarantine, culture storage and monitoring, recording and reporting.

How might the culture environment be maintained?
Food, temperature, light, water, humidity and habitat.

How may monitoring of cultures be undertaken?
By observing and recording the health of the culture, population and growth stage.

What situations might the release of biological control agents be related to?
Field experiments, glasshouse experiments, pot experiments and field release.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in maintaining biological cultures requires evidence that a biological agent is maintained and stored in an effective way to optimise its potency on targeted weed species. The skills and knowledge required to maintain biological agents must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include alternate bioagents, storage requirements and laboratories.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

The range of media available for culture maintenance.
Culturing and media preparation techniques.
Laboratory and glasshouse procedures.
Available biological control agents and their use.
The broad range of pest species that are to be targeted.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Prepare and propagate bioagent media.
Obtain bioagent cultures.
Maintain and monitor cultures.
Harvest and store cultures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function. In some situations, this unit can be assessed concurrently with RUC384PDA Release biological agents.

Essential Assessment Information
For information about

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Written and verbal communication with suppliers, colleagues, supervisors and managers. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Observation, measurement of quantities and reporting to supervisor. (2)

Planning and organising activities
According to characteristics of biological agents and enterprise guidelines. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Working closely with colleagues, landholders and supervisor prior to the release of the agent. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculation of quantities and supplies of biological agents. (2)

Solving problems
Addressing difficulties that may arise during storage and maintenance. (1)

Using technology
Monitoring health, handling and reporting on biological agents. (2)