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.

Ceramic surface treatments may include:
added surface components
brushing
burnishing
carving
dipping
glaze on glaze
impressing
incising, sgraffito and engraving
inlaying
modelling
modifying applications
neriage
pouring
printing
resist and masking techniques
scraping
sponging
spraying
sprigging
trailing.
Ideas and designs may be influenced by:
artistic aspirations
current capability with techniques
historical and theoretical contexts
research
subject matter or theme for the work, such as:
built environment
land and place
natural world
political, cultural and social issues
the body
spiritual concerns.
Research may involve:
approaching individuals with relevant expertise
attending lectures and talks
conducting material and technical experiments and tests
searching the internet
seeking out information in books, journals, newspapers and catalogues
visiting exhibitions and museums.
Intellectual property requirements include:
extent to which the work of others may be used
form of acknowledgement or credit
procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright
protocols for the adaptation of work by others.
Professional potential may relate to:
cost of production
existence of an established market
how to promote or sell the work
market trends
professional development.
Criteria may relate to:
access to materials, tools and equipment for the techniques
contemporary and historical use of ceramic surface treatments
ease of application of the techniques
personal affinity with the techniques.
Process followed to refine ideas may include:
adjustment to subject matter or theme
adjustment to take account of elements and principles of design
adjustment to use extended capabilities of techniques.
Tools and equipment may include:
banding wheels
brushes and toothbrushes
compressor
digital camera
electronic equipment used in design work, e.g. computer, scanner and printer software
hands and fingers
kiln furniture and equipment
kilns: electric, gas, wood or raku
knives and blades
measuring devices
modelling and carving tools
personal protective equipment (PPE)
programmable kiln controller
rolling tools
sponges and stamps
spray booth, spray gun and air brush
tongs
trailing tools.
Materials may include:
glazes
colouring oxides, stains and pigments
commercial colours
lustres
range of clays
slips and engobes
resist materials: wax, latex, shellac, glues and paper
other materials, such as ashes, rocks, local clays and glass.
Safety and sustainability considerations may include:
federal, state and territory legislation, regulations and standards
personal protection
recycling
safe disposal of waste
ventilation.
Workplace requirements may include:
dust extraction
lighting
process-specific requirements
ventilation.
Technical problems may include:
limitations of own technical skill required for:
forming techniques
application techniques
surface design and decorating techniques
limited availability of space for:
displaying fired results
production of work: making, assembling and firing
storage issues for work in progress:
cleanliness
humidity
security
other limitations, such as:
equipment and machinery breakdown
limited availability of or access to specialist materials, tools and equipment.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
develop surface treatment ideas and designs through a demonstrated process of research and experimentation
produce multiple finished ceramic pieces that demonstrate use of a range of different surface treatments
apply knowledge of materials, techniques, equipment and processes used to achieve different surface effects.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a safe ceramics work space
ceramic materials, tools and equipment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
evaluation of surface treatments within a body of work produced by the candidate
evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine surface treatment technique
direct observation of work in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques
questioning and discussion about candidate’s intentions and the work outcome
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.
Assessment methods should closely reflect work place demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUVCER401A Experiment with techniques to produce ceramics.