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.
Options for improving thermal performance may include changes to:
construction materials
glazing
insulation levels
landscaping and planting
orientation
passive heating and cooling
sealing the building envelope
shading
thermal mass
ventilation
weather stripping
window:
location
size
style
type of glazing
zoning and layout.
Criteria may include:
client requirements
compliance of option with legislative and regulatory requirements
cost of option
impact of option on thermal performance or rating of building
potential impact of option on other aspects of a dwelling’s thermal performance
practicality of option
time required to implement option.
Client may include:
architect
builder
building owner
construction manager
government agency
property developer.
Effective communication strategies may include:
active listening
being non-judgemental
exploring problems
expressing an individual perspective
providing sufficient time for questions and responses
providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations
using appropriate words, behaviour and posture
using clarifying and summarising questions
using clear and concise language
using culturally appropriate communication
using plain English
using verbal and non-verbal communication.
Sources of information may include:
brochures, fact sheets and websites of:
government energy efficiency agencies
industry associations
industry regulators
energy efficiency agencies
journal articles
product and service suppliers and manufacturers
research centres
technical experts
technical reports.

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 candidates evaluating options and making recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person should demonstrate the ability to:
identify options for improving the thermal performance of buildings using knowledge of passive building design principles and the thermal performance of buildings and materials
apply accredited NatHERS software tools to model the impact of different options for improving the thermal performance of buildings
establish and apply evaluative criteria for assessing options and making recommendations for improving the thermal performance of buildings
explain recommendations for improving thermal performance of buildings to clients
provide clients with reliable information and details of additional sources of information on options for improving thermal performance of buildings
provide clients with reliable information on potential impact on other health, safety, amenity and sustainability aspects of the dwelling or building.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit:
must be in the context of the work environment
may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills
must meet relevant compliance requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
NatHERS software tools
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
building plans and specifications for residential buildings to be assessed
computer equipment suitable for using NatHERS software tools
technical reference library with current publications on passive building design, thermal performance of building materials, building thermal performance, NatHERS, and manufacturer product information on building products and materials.
Method of assessment
Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:
written and/or oral assessment
observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate evaluating options and making recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.
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.