Assessor Resource

AHCPCM401
Recommend plants and cultural practices

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to recommend plants and cultural practices. It applies to both sales staff in plant nurseries and garden centres and others in the amenity horticulture industries.

It applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify client preferences and requirements

1.1 Initiate contact with the client when appropriate

1.2 Clarify the purpose of the planting and cultural and environmental factors of the intended planting site by gathering all relevant information from the client

1.3 Use botanical and common names to describe plants

2. Select plants to suit specific situations

2.1 Identify plants and their growth and performance characteristics that suit the specific situation using research and experiential awareness

2.2 Compare, assess and evaluate available plants using sound problem-solving techniques

2.3 Determine the best choice based on reasoned argument, appropriate evidence, sound principles and customer needs

3. Advise on plants for specific situation

3.1 Explain performance characteristics and particular planting, cultural and maintenance requirements to the client

3.2 Refer to the original supplier of the plant where necessary

3.3 Respond to client requests for clarification or expansion by the use of attentive listening and questioning techniques

3.4 Record and report recommendations

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

conduct literature and industry research, collate and analyse findings on plant species and cultivars, their characteristics and requirements

comply with legislative requirements

explain to the client work health and safety requirements or basic safety precautions relevant to the establishment and on-going maintenance of plants

document client preferences and site particulars

select plants that suit client preferences and suitability for the site

report recommendations to the client that detail the types of plants chosen and their requirements

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices for recommending plants and their cultural practices

customer service and communication skills

features of plant species and cultivars

innovation and recent practices in plant selection, use and performance

plant nomenclature (family, genus, species and cultivar) for the range of plants recommended by the enterprise

practical understanding of the physiology of the range of plants supplied and recommended by the enterprise and their comparative growth and performance characteristics in response to different cultural and environmental factors

principles and practices for the establishment and maintenance of plants

soil characteristics, particularly in relation to the geographical and climatic region from which clients generally originate

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify client preferences and requirements

1.1 Initiate contact with the client when appropriate

1.2 Clarify the purpose of the planting and cultural and environmental factors of the intended planting site by gathering all relevant information from the client

1.3 Use botanical and common names to describe plants

2. Select plants to suit specific situations

2.1 Identify plants and their growth and performance characteristics that suit the specific situation using research and experiential awareness

2.2 Compare, assess and evaluate available plants using sound problem-solving techniques

2.3 Determine the best choice based on reasoned argument, appropriate evidence, sound principles and customer needs

3. Advise on plants for specific situation

3.1 Explain performance characteristics and particular planting, cultural and maintenance requirements to the client

3.2 Refer to the original supplier of the plant where necessary

3.3 Respond to client requests for clarification or expansion by the use of attentive listening and questioning techniques

3.4 Record and report recommendations

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

conduct literature and industry research, collate and analyse findings on plant species and cultivars, their characteristics and requirements

comply with legislative requirements

explain to the client work health and safety requirements or basic safety precautions relevant to the establishment and on-going maintenance of plants

document client preferences and site particulars

select plants that suit client preferences and suitability for the site

report recommendations to the client that detail the types of plants chosen and their requirements

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices for recommending plants and their cultural practices

customer service and communication skills

features of plant species and cultivars

innovation and recent practices in plant selection, use and performance

plant nomenclature (family, genus, species and cultivar) for the range of plants recommended by the enterprise

practical understanding of the physiology of the range of plants supplied and recommended by the enterprise and their comparative growth and performance characteristics in response to different cultural and environmental factors

principles and practices for the establishment and maintenance of plants

soil characteristics, particularly in relation to the geographical and climatic region from which clients generally originate

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Initiate contact with the client when appropriate 
Clarify the purpose of the planting and cultural and environmental factors of the intended planting site by gathering all relevant information from the client 
Use botanical and common names to describe plants 
Identify plants and their growth and performance characteristics that suit the specific situation using research and experiential awareness 
Compare, assess and evaluate available plants using sound problem-solving techniques 
Determine the best choice based on reasoned argument, appropriate evidence, sound principles and customer needs 
Explain performance characteristics and particular planting, cultural and maintenance requirements to the client 
Refer to the original supplier of the plant where necessary 
Respond to client requests for clarification or expansion by the use of attentive listening and questioning techniques 
Record and report recommendations 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPCM401 - Recommend plants and cultural practices
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPCM401 - Recommend plants and cultural practices

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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