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.

Work opportunities may relate to:
brief for handbuilt work
commissions from others
competitions
creation of individual items or sets
local demand
retail opportunities
self-generated ideas.
Handbuilt ceramics may include one-off and related ranges of:
architectural ceramic items
figurative and abstract sculpture
functional ware, including table ware, kitchen ware and garden ware
geometric forms: spheres, ovoids, rhomboids and cylinders
individual items
jewellery
matching and related sets
modular and sectional forms
non-symmetrical forms
open and closed forms
platters and vessels.
Intellectual property requirements relate to:
copyright laws
design licensing regulations
extent to which the work may be used
form of acknowledgement or credit
moral rights law
procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright
protocols for the adaptation of work by others
trademarks regulations.
Materials, tools and equipment may include:
equipment:
blunger, filter press and pugmill
compressor
computer, scanner and printer for design work
extruder
kiln furniture and equipment
kilns: electric, gas, wood and raku
personal protective equipment (PPE)
slab roller
spray booth and spray gun
materials:
body additives, such as grog, paper pulp, sand and sawdust
commercial ceramic colours
glazes
mould-making materials, such as pottery plaster, silicone and alginate
oxides
range of clay bodies
resist materials, such as wax, latex, shellac and paper
slips and engobes
tools:
brushes, sponges and other decorating tools
cutting and carving tools
knives and blades
measuring devices
modelling tools
rolling devices
sculpture stands
tools for applying pattern and texture
turntables.
Safe work practices may include:
correct disposal of waste materials
dust and fume extraction
ergonomic safety
managing risk
procedure for using kilns and other specialist equipment
reporting accidents and incidents
safely using tools and equipment
using clearly designated wet and dry areas
using PPE.
Suitable forming methods may include:
assemblage
carving
coil building
extruding
modelling
pinching
press moulding
slab building.
Coherent body of ceramic workis:
conceptually resolved
documented in terms of its development
subject to critical feedback by others
technically resolved
thematically connected.
Technical problemsmay include:
limitations of own technical skill required for:
forming techniques
glaze application techniques
surface design and decorating techniques
limited availability of space for:
displaying fired results
producing work, including making, assembly and firing
storing work in progress, including clean, dry, damp and secure
other limitations, such as:
equipment and machinery breakdown
limited availability of or access to specialist tools and equipment.
Ways in which technique may be further developedmay include:
collaboration
further study
intensive workshops
mentored guidance
new projects.

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:
evolve and refine handbuilding technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation
produce a coherent body of professional ceramic work that demonstrates well-developed handbuilding techniques used to create both single works and multiples of related works
research handbuilt ceramics in the context of historical and contemporary ceramics work as a source of ideas for own work
investigate current market trends and opportunities
use safe work practices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a safe ceramics work space
ceramic materials, tools and equipment for handbuilt 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 handbuilding technique within a body of work produced by the candidate
evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine handbuilding technique
direct observation of handbuilding in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques
direct questioning and discussion about candidate’s intentions and the 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:
CUVACD510A Manage kiln operations
CUVACD511A Make moulds and casts
CUVCER501A Refine ceramics techniques
CUVCER502A Investigate ceramic materials and processes
CUVCER505A Develop and apply ceramic glazes
CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.