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.

Collection material is defined as objects, collections, artworks, specimens, structures or sites, and includes:
archaeological material
books and manuscripts
cultural sites and buildings
ethnographic material
film and audiovisual material
flora and fauna
furniture
photographs
technological and industry items
textiles
works on paper and canvas.
Information sources may include:
archives
artists
catalogues
experts and specialists
internet
libraries
local community members
makers
organisation’s collection
other museum workers
other museums
previous holders of collection material
publications
reference works
written reports.
Key stakeholders may include:
community associations
cultural groups
donors
experts or specialists
makers or artists
owners or custodians
users.
Appropriate format may be:
graphic
photographic
verbal
written.
Detail in descriptions may include:
adaptations
age
artist
associations with place
condition
conservation needs, such as:
care
handling
protection
construction method and materials
dimensions
functionality
inscriptions
intactness
maker
marks
physical appearance of items
previous conservation
previous owners
provenance
relationship to other material (within or outside of collections)
repairs
significance, such as:
historical
scientific research.
Accession details may include:
acquisition method
brief description
copyright details
costs, such as:
maintenance
value
date of accession
date of creation
details of previous ownership
dimensions
maker or artist
registration number.

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:
describe in detail a range of collection material
apply knowledge of organisational procedures and guidelines to describe and document collection material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
use of current industry systems to research, describe and document collection material
access to:
relevant policies and procedures manuals
collection material to be identified, described and documented
a collection
stakeholders.
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:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
evaluation of descriptions and records created by the candidate
evaluation of research processes undertaken by the candidate to identify and assess significance
examination of information prepared by the candidate to describe a number of different types of collection material
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational procedures and guidelines.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULCNM503A Manage the development of collections.