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.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions
Operation of equipment
This unit includes the operation of equipment used for the casting of clay and ceramic products. It includes the processes:
casting (including medium pressure casting)
punching
palleting
sponging and fettling
use of hand tools
This competency includes the operation of all ancillary equipment and the operation of plant using PLCs where appropriate although the use of control panels is covered by another unit
Product requirements
Product requirements include:
specified thickness is achieved
proper casting time is allowed
excess slip is removed
Removing product from mould
Removing product from mould includes ensuring:
condition of the product is acceptable
mould condition is acceptable for reuse
enterprise procedures are followed
equipment is cleaned and readied for reuse
Typical problems
Typical problems may include:
checking for mould deterioration
slip consistency
product wall thickness
identifying piece faults

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 unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
moulds are clean and ready
slip is applied correctly
excess slip is removed as required
cast is removed cleanly
mould life is preserved
formed product meets requirements
material handling methods and waste levels are consistent to standards.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment
Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.