Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:48 PM AWST

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Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities

Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities

Unit of competency
National Code
SITTGDE006A
State Code
S6439
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
01/01/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/10/2008
Field of Education
100707 - Verbal Communication
Original Release Date
22/10/2008
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare and present commentaries or activities to customers. Its main focus is on the need to use effective interpretation and presentation techniques to ensure customer participation and enjoyment. Tour guides may have generalist or specialist knowledge and the diversity of information imparted is immense and immeasurable. This unit does not focus on the knowledge base but on the skills required to prepare and present information. The unit goes beyond the delivery of fully-scripted commentary and requires significant creative input. SITTPPD005A Plan and develop interpretive activities, is dedicated to the actual development of interpretive activities.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare commentaries or activities for presentation to customers.
  • 1.1 Select and organise appropriate information to meet the needs of specific customers, operational contexts and timing restrictions.
  • 1.2 Select or develop appropriate themes as a basis for commentaries or activities.
  • 1.3 Construct commentaries or activities to maximise the potential for customer enjoyment and learning.
  • 1.4 Obtain, check and assemble all support materials in advance of the tour or activity.
2 Present commentaries or activities to customers.
  • 2.1 Use interpretive and presentation techniques to combine entertainment and learning and to enhance the quality of the experience for the customer.
  • 2.2 Use language appropriate to the customer group.
  • 2.3 Present current, accurate and relevant information in a logical order.
  • 2.4 Present information of appropriate depth and breadth for specific customer needs.
  • 2.5 Present information in a manner that demonstrates cultural and social sensitivity.
  • 2.6 Pace the presentation according to timing requirements and operational context.
  • 2.7 Use equipment and resources correctly and identify and report any equipment defects promptly.
3 Interact with customers.
  • 3.1 Encourage customer participation within safety requirements through effective use of interpretive and presentation techniques.
  • 3.2 Invite questions and feedback from customers both during and at the conclusion of any commentary or activity.
  • 3.3 Answer questions courteously and correctly and, if required, involve the whole group by repetition of the question and delivery of answer audible to all.
  • 3.4 Where the answer to a question is unknown, offer to supply the answer at a future time or refer the customer to other information sources.
  • 3.5 Maintain communication with appropriate colleagues as required by specific tour or activity circumstances.
  • 3.6 Implement contingency plans without delay when unexpected events occur and amend presentation format, order or structure to minimise impact on customer enjoyment.
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Needs of specific customers may vary according to:
geographic origin
cultural background
age
disability
educational level
special interests
requested coverage.


Commentariesor activities may relate to a range of subjects, including:
history and heritage
culture
art
natural environment
built environment
wildlife
domestic and farm animals
birds.


Operational context may relate to:
coach touring
guided walks
guided site activities
entertainment-based tours, such as ghost tours.


Equipment and resources may include:
microphone, where applicable to the operational context and assessed as necessary (e.g. on a coach)
audiovisual equipment
videotapes and DVDs
props.


Unexpected events may include:
systems failure
equipment failure
injury, accident or death
adverse weather conditions
inappropriate customer behaviour
customers who cause disruption and disturbance to other tour members, host communities and the environment
unpredictable animal behaviour
sudden closures
change of access
customer health issues, causing a reassessment of physical abilities.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to select information and prepare commentaries or activities to meet a specific need
ability to use interpretive and presentation techniques to create customer-focused, informative and entertaining experiences for customers

preparation and presentation of multiple commentaries or activities covering a range of topics that meet the differing needs of various customer groups to ensure consistency of performance (for city or region-based generalist guides, this should include the delivery of information that covers different destinations within the city or region
presentation of activities and commentaries of a duration that reflects local industry product and practice
preparation for and presentation of commentaries or activities within multiple guiding environments (e.g. at a tourist site, on a coach tour, in a national park or on a walking tour) to ensure that skills can be adapted to different guiding contexts.


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
preparation for and presentation of commentaries or activities within commercially realistic guiding environments (e.g. at a tourist site, on a coach tour, in a national park or on a walking tour)
use of industry-current equipment for presentation that will vary according to the operational context of delivering the commentary or activity (e.g. a microphone is essential equipment for coach touring)
presentation to and interaction with customer groups of a size and nature that reflect the commercial environment in which the guide operates.


Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to prepare and present tour commentaries or activities. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate presenting commentaries or activities and using equipment effectively
questioning tour members as to the candidate's communication skills, breadth of knowledge and ability to deliver knowledge in an interesting way
case studies to assess ability to tailor activities and information to suit particular customer needs
case studies and problem-solving to assess ability to respond effectively to problems that occur during activities or commentaries

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of interpretive and presentation techniques
review of guiding activities undertaken as part of industry placement and training with an industry operator
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITTGDE007A Develop and maintain the general and regional knowledge required by guides
SITTGDE008A Research and share general information on Australian Indigenous cultures
SITTGDE009A Interpret aspects of local Australian Indigenous culture
SITTGDE010B Prepare specialised interpretive content on flora, fauna and landscape
SITTGDE011B Prepare specialised interpretive content on marine environments
SITTGDE012B Prepare specialised interpretive content on cultural and heritage environments
FDFCDSWTB Promote wine tourism information.


Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C4878 THTFTG06B Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WF692 SITTGDE304 Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities Unit of competency