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.
Sustainability is broadly defined as having three separate but inter-related components with characteristics including:
economic sustainability, demonstrated by:
cost-effective use of resources
ensuring costs of 'green' solutions are properly accounted for and recovered
growing market share by appealing to socially aware customers
purchasing locally to reduce transport costs
seeking to participate in government schemes that reward or fund sustainable operations
social sustainability, demonstrated by:
building community involvement
communicating benefits of sustainable products and services to customers
purchasing locally and using local and community-based products and services
using 'fair trade' products
environmental sustainability, demonstrated by:
efficient use of resources
eliminating hazardous and toxic materials
identifying strategies to offset or mitigate environmental impacts, such as purchasing carbon credits
making more efficient use of energy
maximising opportunities to re-use and recycle materials
preventing and minimising risks and maximising opportunities, such as use of solar or other alternative forms of energy where appropriate
purchasing renewable energy
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
waste reduction.
Research data may be sourced from:
'think tanks' and research houses
industry associations
primary research, such as surveys and focus groups
publicly available data, such as Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
regional economic development plans
secondary research, such as national and international literature searches.
Standard financial methods include:
break-even analysis
cash-flow analysis
cost-benefit analysis
profit and loss analysis
return on investment (ROI) analysis.
Full costs for providing a product or service include:
allocation of business overhead costs, such as premises rental, transport, skill development, insurances and depreciation
full requirements for the provision of sustainable products and services, including:
cost of recycling
materials recovery
materials re-use
safe chemical handling and disposal
training of customer in use of the product or service
input costs, such as materials and labour for the provision of required products or services that conform to workplace safety and quality requirements.
Conditions and limitations of the quotation may include:
general conditions and rules
inclusions and exclusions
life and expiry dates of quotations
payment details
rises and falls of costs
variations sought by customer and their treatment.
Legislative and regulatory requirements include:
Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
industry advisory standards and codes, such as:
building codes
dangerous goods codes
relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations that affect company operation, including:
anti-discrimination and diversity
chemical controls
chemical registers and manifests
consumer protection legislation
energy conservation
environmental protection
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial equipment certificates of competency or licences
industrial relations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
public health
trade practices
water conservation
workplace consultative arrangements.

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 observing at least two instances of the implementation and monitoring of integrated economic, social and environmental sustainability policies and procedures in an organisation.
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 required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:
research and identify products and services that support improved sustainability
communicate with customers and identify their needs for sustainable products and services
determine the full cost of providing the product or service and prepare a quotation that meets business standards and requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include access to:
relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
workplace documentation and personnel
reports from other parties involved in the process of identifying and implementing improvements.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property 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.
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.
Guidance information for assessment
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.
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.