Elements and Performance Criteria

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. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency unit includes the use of phase diagrams. It does not include chemical form and structure of polymer molecules beyond a basic knowledge. It may be applied to plastics only, rubber only, thermosetting resins only or all of these.
This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. It requires an understanding of the operation of all relevant equipment and processes but does not necessarily require them to be used personally.
Standard procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

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.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the morphology be understood and that the importance of critical material properties and quantities is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to interpret polymer properties from their morphology.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
test procedures are understood
correct tests and methods are specified
test results are interpreted appropriately
polymer properties are described
changes in properties are adequately explained.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur using appropriate industrial polymers and scenarios and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
using an appropriate, industrial polymers and properties/characteristics relevant to the process/product
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through a combination of these techniques.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.