Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Compliance includes:
meeting relevant Acts, laws, by-laws and regulations, codes of practice or best practice to support compliance in environmental performance and sustainability at each level as required (such as Environmental Protection, Biodiversity Conservation Act and Building Code of Australia)
levels include:
federal
industry
international
local government
organisation
reporting breaches
state and territory.
Environmental and resource efficiency includes:
approaches of industry associations, such as:
Australian Building Greenhouse Rating
green plumbers
green purchasing
Housing Industry Association (HIA) GreenSmart
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
lifecycle thinking
Master Builders Association of Victoria Green Living, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), or Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Green Star environmental rating system
National Australian Building Environmental Rating Scheme (NABERS)
product stewardship
supply chain management
Victoria Stormwater Management Guidelines of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
implementing and using alternative practices, procedures or materials to reduce or eliminate resource consumption on work site
recommendations to stakeholders, including:
addressing environmental and resource sustainability initiatives, such as an environmental framework, action plan, recommendations, surveys and audits with stakeholders and key personnel
efficient water use (e.g. rainwater tanks, grey water sprinkler systems or timers)
energy use (e.g. equipment/appliances installed; equipment, appliance and tool maintenance; transporting materials; heating and cooling; and building efficiency)
environmental site management
evaluating and implementing most appropriate waste treatment, including waste to landfill, recycling, re-use, recoverable resources and wastewater treatment through site management
improving resource, energy and water efficiency
including environmental performance in tender and quote specifications
initiating and maintaining appropriate work site procedures for operational energy consumption, including stationary and non-stationary (transport) energy
preventing and minimising risks and maximising opportunities on work site and for stakeholders
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing material usage
reducing stormwater pollution
reducing use of non-renewable resources
types of products and materials used
reference to standards, guidelines, industry association standards, codes of practice and best practice approaches such as:
federal government standards, including five-star rating for all new homes.
Stakeholders, key personnel and specialists (individuals and groups) both within and external to the organisation who have direct or indirect interest in the organisation's conduct, actions, products and services, include:
clients
employees at all levels of the organisation
government
investors
key personnel within the organisation
local community
specialists outside the organisation who may have particular technical expertise
suppliers
other organisations.
Purchasing strategies include:
influencing stakeholders to take up environmental sustainability approaches and products
researching and participating in programs, such as a supply chain program to purchase sustainable products (such as radial timber, sustainable timber, and low flow fittings and appliances).
Techniques and tools include:
accessing the skills of others as appropriate to the specific industry context
environmental site management plans
examination of invoices from suppliers
examination of relevant information and data
integration of environmental and sustainability specifications in quotes and tenders
measurements made under different conditions
recommendation of sustainable products and practices to stakeholders.
Suggestions include:
eliminating the use of hazardous and toxic materials
expressing green purchasing power through using and recommending a selection of suppliers with improved environmental performance (e.g. green power, lifecycle thinking, product stewardship, energy or water efficiency)
ideas that help to improve energy and water efficiency
making more efficient use of resources, materials, energy and water
maximising opportunities to use renewable, recyclable, reusable and recoverable resources (energy, water, materials, products and waste)
preventing and minimising risks and maximising opportunities, such as use of renewable energy such as solar or grey water, and other alternative forms of water, energy and resources
recommending and using alternative sustainable products, materials, procedures, practices and installation techniques
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by reducing waste and transport
reducing the consumption of non-renewable resources, such as water, fuel, and materials
seeking alternative sources of water and energy or encouraging conservation.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
This unit of competency could be assessed by analysing and monitoring effective sustainable work practices on a construction project work site.
This unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
implement and monitor integrated environmental and resource efficiency management policies and procedures within a work site, including:
access, collect, analyse and organise information from a number of sources to provide information, advice and tools or resources for improvement opportunities to stakeholders and key personnel
identify possible areas for improved practices and resource efficiency for stakeholders
communicate benefits of changing practices to work team and customers
implement new approaches and improvement plans, including planning and organising activities for staff and stakeholders in relation to:
measurement of current use
devising strategies to improve environmental and resource efficiency issues
reporting as required ensuring appropriate action is taken within work site in relation to environmental and sustainability compliance and potential hazards
monitor and evaluate improvement plans and efficiency targets, using evaluation and monitoring tools and technology to potentially revise and adjust approaches and strategies to ensure continuous improvement.
Evidence that could be used, reflecting the requirements of the unit of competency and work being performed as evidence, include:
reports of activities of work group in relation to:
measurement of resources and efficiency
development of improvement strategies
work plans outlining approaches to improved practices, with documented benchmarks
invoices from stakeholders specifying materials recommended for improved efficiency and those actually used
quotes and tenders
lists of environmental hazards, risks and inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvements identified in the work site
work samples, tools, techniques or simulated activities and the outcomes.
Processes may include:
relevant authenticated correspondence
way in which advice is sought and suggestions made about improvements from stakeholders and key personnel
evidence of implementation of programs, such as:
green building program
supply chain program for purchasing sustainable products
environmental site management framework or product recommendations
notes on understanding external benchmarks and support for particular benchmarks to be used, with expected outcomes and including approaches to recommend products and practices to stakeholders for improving their resource use.
Resource implications for assessment must include:
observation by the assessor over a period of time and in a range of situations and/or evidence provided to the assessor in written or verbal form, including:
implementing tools and techniques
review of work site and stakeholders/key personnel to assess and measure resource use, hazards and compliance
application of learning to future activities
recommended products and practices to stakeholders
access to a range of information and resources for assessment as listed in the range statement, such as:
environmental and sustainability legislation
compliance documentation
organisational and procedural requirements or organisation plans
work supervision and work site documentation, including personnel and responsibilities
quotes, tenders, invoices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry-related systems information.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.