Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this competency standard. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts.

What are the essential features of families and cultures which may be included?
Type of family groupings, responsibilities and obligations to family members, oral history, language spoken, belief systems, value systems, systems of law and order, and predominant religion and spirituality.

Which characteristics of social structures described in terms of main elements may be relevant?
Pattern of family groupings, communal living arrangements, patterns of daily life, roles of men, women, children and family, class structures, predominant language used, main economic activities, main transport systems used, main information systems used, predominant religion or spiritual beliefs, main system of law and order, main type of government, main social upheavals experienced over specified periods of time, and main problems experienced by the society over specified periods of time.

What may constitute racist behaviours?
Stereotyping and jokes about cultural aspects and/or skin colour.

What changes to society may result?
Economic changes, family structure changes, adoption of different systems of law and order, population distributions or patterns of populating, breakdown or build-up of family and communities, introduction of new technologies, changes to fundamental value and belief systems or introduction of new spiritual beliefs or religions.

Which personal responses may be included?
Thinking responses, e.g., analysis, synthesis of new and old information or experiences; emotional responses, e.g., anger, sadness, despair, happiness; projected response, e.g., taking on the consequences on behalf of family members, taking on the arguments of other family members, taking on the suppression of family members.

What is meant by the term holistic notion?
The view of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that all things are connected and the significance of the these connections preclude isolating areas for individual analysis.

Which government policies may apply to this standard?
Protectionism, self-determination and self-management.

What may be included in special treatment?
Perceptions of bias to Indigenous people in allocations of funds, family arrangements and positive discrimination practices.

What does cultural maintenance mean?
Continuing of language, protection and continuing of stories, protection of cultural sites of significance, significant sites, continuing of responsibilities to others, continuing of obligations to others, and continuing of spiritual practices.

How might cultural theft occur?
By the taking of stories told in confidence, taking of artefacts, representation of culture by outsiders, description of culture and cultural practices by outsiders using own frames of reference, use of symbols and other representations by outsiders, use of language by outsiders, inappropriate protection by outsiders of information provided, and breaches of copyright.

What vision/set of aspirations may be included?
Ultimate goal for work life, specific job, outline of type of work role being undertaken, characteristic ways of working, e.g., participative approach, respect for elders shown in processes, respect for colleagues, and qualities exhibited during work, e.g., integrity, honesty, caring and sharing.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in planning for successful cultural practice at work requires evidence that culturally appropriate work practices have been planned and implemented. The skills and knowledge required to plan for successful cultural practice at work must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different community groups, organisations and work practices.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

History and effects of European invasion on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The concept of cultural maintenance.
Change processes.
Planning work practices.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Summarise essential features of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and cultures.
Review impacts of changes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies since European settlement.
Analyse effects of examining isolated cultural elements of a holistic culture as individual doctrines.
Relate the implications for vocational area of government efforts to address continuing effects of colonisation.
Outline 'cultural maintenance'.
Characterise self as an effective Indigenous practitioner in the environment field.
Plan culturally appropriate work practices

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Essential Assessment Information
For information about

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Communication of ideas and information can be applied through staff meetings and discussions. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Planning for successful cultural practice at work will require detailed information to be gathered from a number of different sources, and analysed and organised for action by others. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Planning for successful cultural practice at work requires planning and organising in a cultural way. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Planning for successful cultural practice at work will require coordination of self and others in a team. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Not applicable. (0)

Solving problems
While planning for successful cultural practice at work, technical, organisational and cultural problems may arise requiring complex solutions. (3)

Using technology
Technology may be required to assist with the collection and presentation of information. (1)