Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

From where might the information about marketing and production plan requirements come?
It may be found in the plans themselves, or through discussion with the owner or manager of the shearing operation.

What parts of the fleece may be included in the clip?
The clip may include fleece, pieces, bellies, locks, crutchings, shanks, topknots, stains, dags, backs, jowls or breeches.

What selling methods might be used?
Wool may be sold through auctions, private sale, forward contracts, tenders, or by commission selling.

What information in the marketing plans would be of use?
These plans will give an indication of the type of wool to be produced by the organisation, where it will be sold, what standards the fleece should attain, for what purpose it will be used, and the prices it is likely to attract. They will also give an indication of the margin that exists between grower costs and returns.

What factors will influence the classing process?
The number of animals to be shorn, number of operators in the shed, and the type of wool to be shorn and classed.

Who might be managing the shearing operation?
The flock owner could be managing the operation, or the owner might delegate this work to a manager, classer or broker.

What is the contamination to be avoided?
Amongst the contaminants are lamb pouches, maggot affected wool, urine stains, dung stains, skin pieces, black fibres, loose woolpack fibres, baling twines, man-made fibres and clothing, dermatitis, branding dyes, dags, grease locks, burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, and wet wool or water stains.

What might the classing criteria include?
Breed and age of sheep, fibre diameter, tensile strength, character, handle, style, colour, yield, length, and contaminant free.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of hazard-free facilities and equipment
safe manual handling, including lifting and carrying
protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
appropriate use of personal protective equipment and clothing.
Consideration of OHS issues for this standard may also include consideration of any national codes of practice in the industry.

What equipment might be required for the wool classing process?
Classing tables, lights, calibrated devices, documentation, woolpacks/bags, bale clips, or presses may be used during the process.

From where might the information about marketing and production plan requirements come?
It may be found in the plans themselves, or through discussion with the owner or manager of the shearing operation.

What parts of the fleece may be included in the clip?
The clip may include fleece, pieces, bellies, locks, crutchings, shanks, topknots, stains, dags, backs, jowls or breeches.

What selling methods might be used?
Wool may be sold through auctions, private sale, forward contracts, tenders, or by commission selling.

What information in the marketing plans would be of use?
These plans will give an indication of the type of wool to be produced by the organisation, where it will be sold, what standards the fleece should attain, for what purpose it will be used, and the prices it is likely to attract. They will also give an indication of the margin that exists between grower costs and returns.

What factors will influence the classing process?
The number of animals to be shorn, number of operators in the shed, and the type of wool to be shorn and classed.

Who might be managing the shearing operation?
The flock owner could be managing the operation, or the owner might delegate this work to a manager, classer or broker.

What is the contamination to be avoided?
Amongst the contaminants are lamb pouches, maggot affected wool, urine stains, dung stains, skin pieces, black fibres, loose woolpack fibres, baling twines, man-made fibres and clothing, dermatitis, branding dyes, dags, grease locks, burrs and vegetable matter, shed debris, and wet wool or water stains.

What might the classing criteria include?
Breed and age of sheep, fibre diameter, tensile strength, character, handle, style, colour, yield, length, and contaminant free.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the operation and maintenance of hazard-free facilities and equipment
safe manual handling, including lifting and carrying
protection from electrical hazards, hazardous noise and organic and other dusts
appropriate use of personal protective equipment and clothing.
Consideration of OHS issues for this standard may also include consideration of any national codes of practice in the industry.

What equipment might be required for the wool classing process?
Classing tables, lights, calibrated devices, documentation, woolpacks/bags, bale clips, or presses may be used during the process.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in determining wool-classing strategies requires evidence that the strategy selected produces the maximum quality and return from the fleece, and that the classers are sure of the work and standards required of them.

The skills and knowledge required to determine wool-classing strategies must be transferable to a different work environment.
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 competency standard are listed below:

requirements of the organisations marketing and production plans
requirements and standards of the national wool processing industry
clip preparation and analysis processes for the major fine wool types
criteria for measuring and classing wool to a national standard and the factors that affect it
methods used for processing wool
wool brokering services available
efficient wool room layout
specifications for classers
relevant national codes of practice for the industry.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

establish and maintain consistent methods of clip preparation
lay out a wool room for efficient operation
accurately assess wool quality and types
communicate specific and detailed requirements for wool classing to operators
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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 competency standard are listed below:

requirements of the organisations marketing and production plans
requirements and standards of the national wool processing industry
clip preparation and analysis processes for the major fine wool types
criteria for measuring and classing wool to a national standard and the factors that affect it
methods used for processing wool
wool brokering services available
efficient wool room layout
specifications for classers
relevant national codes of practice for the industry.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

establish and maintain consistent methods of clip preparation
lay out a wool room for efficient operation
accurately assess wool quality and types
communicate specific and detailed requirements for wool classing to operators
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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
In instructing the wool handlers in the requirements for the classing operation. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
In instructing the wool handlers in the requirements for the classing operation. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering and analysing market, organisation and flock information for the classing strategy. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering and analysing market, organisation and flock information for the classing strategy. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In selecting the layout and workflow of the wool room. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In selecting the layout and workflow of the wool room. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In providing guidance and instruction to the wool handlers. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In providing guidance and instruction to the wool handlers. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In analysing, classing and measuring wool. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In analysing, classing and measuring wool. (2)

Solving problems
In achieving maximum quality of, and therefore maximum return from, the fleece. (2)

Solving problems
In achieving maximum quality of, and therefore maximum return from, the fleece. (2)

Using technology
By using and calibrating measuring devices. (1)

Using technology
By using and calibrating measuring devices. (1)