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.
Product specifications may include:
consistency or firmness
shape
size
thickness
weight.
Hygiene and sanitation requirements may include:
relevant government regulations
workplace requirements.
Workplace requirements may include:
enterprise-specific requirements
OH&S requirements
QA requirements
Standard Operating Procedures
the ability to perform the task to production requirements
work instructions.
Casings may be:
synthetic or natural skins.
Clipping may be:
performed manually or semi-automatically
undertaken with or without a metal detector.
Defectsin natural casings may include:
contamination
webbing
whiskers
worm holes.
Equipment may include:
nets
presses
moulds
cages
metal detectors.
Communication skills may include:
asking questions
communication with diverse individuals and groups
listening and understanding
reading and interpreting workplace-related documentation
speaking clearly and directly.
Mathematical skills relate to own work and work area problem-solving and may involve:
use of calculators and computer software packages
routine estimations and calculations using a range of specified formulas and procedures.
Explanations may be:
directly related to own work and work area problem-solving
in response to questions to check listening and understanding
in everyday workplace language and include mathematical language and commonly used technical terms
presented orally or written on proformas.
OH&S requirements may include:
enterprise OH&S policies, procedures and programs
OH&S legal requirements
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include:
coats and aprons
ear plugs or muffs
eye and facial protection
head-wear
lifting assistance
protective boot covers
protective hand and arm covering
protective head and hair covering
uniforms
waterproof clothing
work, safety or waterproof footwear
requirements set out in standards and codes of practice.
Regulatory requirements may include:
Export Control Act
federal, state and territory regulations regarding meat processing
hygiene and sanitation requirements
relevant Australian Standards
relevant regulations.

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
The meat industry has specific and clear requirements for evidence. A minimum of three forms of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in the meat industry. This is specifically designed to provide evidence that covers the demonstration in the workplace of all aspects of competency over time.
These requirements are in addition to the requirements for valid, current, authentic and sufficient evidence.

Three forms of evidence means three different kinds of evidence - not three pieces of the same kind. In practice it will mean that most of the unit is covered twice. This increases the legitimacy of the evidence.

All assessment must be conducted against Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Competency must be demonstrated over time and under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.

At least two different products must be formed and/or shaped to specification.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must occur in the workplace under normal production conditions.

Resources may include:
casings, filling and forming equipment and product specifications materials
manufacturer's specifications
workplace environment.
Method of assessment
Recommended methods of assessment include:
workplace demonstration
observation of performance over time
workplace referee report.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander, gender, or language backgrounds other than English. Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.
Guidance information for assessment
A current list of resources for this Unit of Competency is available from MINTRAC www.mintrac.com.au or telephone 1800 817 462.