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

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

use personal protective clothing and equipment

determine requirements for canopy management according to vine vigour, growth guidelines and manager’s instructions

select canopy management techniques

coordinate team activities to implement determined canopy management techniques

address problems and anomalies

complete workplace records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

personal protective clothing and equipment as required

work procedures, including advice on company practices, safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

instructions, information, specifications and schedules as required

equipment, services and corresponding information as required

products and materials as required

internal and external customers and suppliers as required

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required

documentation and recording requirements and procedures

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competence should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Required skills

Note: The following required skills should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Ability to:

Access workplace information to identify canopy management requirements

Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Identify, rectify and/or report environmental non-compliance

Implement canopy management requirements. This may include consideration of:

equipment and materials required

personnel required

location

transport

timing

environmental operating conditions

other vineyard activities (e.g. spraying)

Select appropriate canopy management techniques. This will include consideration of:

vine vigour

trellis design

grape variety

quality requirements

climate, current and forecast weather conditions

vineyard terrain and aspect

phenological development

workplace procedures and manager’s instructions

Monitor canopy management activities. This may include monitoring:

removal of unwanted growth

positioning of vine shoots

cutting procedure and quality

manipulation and securing of vine

vine damage

exposure of crop to sunlight

addition and positioning of foliage wires or shade cloth

correct disposal of waste

cleaning and storage of equipment

problems and anomalies

equipment performance and maintenance

team performance and progress

Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non-compliance

Report and/or record problems and/or corrective actions

Maintain canopy management records according to workplace standards

Facilitate and train teams and individuals

Conduct routine maintenance of equipment according to enterprise procedures

Apply information technology systems according to enterprise procedures

Use oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

Work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Note: The following required knowledge should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Knowledge of:

Basic vine physiology as it applies to:

water intake

nutrient uptake

photosynthesis

respiration, transpiration

translocation

Parts of the root, trunk, shoot and fruit systems of the grapevine, their role in how the vine works and their contribution to fruit quality, including:

buds, nodes and tendrils

cambium, epidermis, phloem and xylem

leaf blade, bract and petiole

bunches, berries and flowers

Vine types, their characteristics and uses, including:

family, genus and species

Vitis vinifera and commercial varieties

native species and hybrids (e.g. labrusca)

rootstocks and scion stock

Industry processes for new variety development

Annual grapevine growth stages, including:

budburst

flowering

veraison

maturity

Key grape varieties and their distinguishing features. This may include factors, such as:

berry and bunch characteristics

frost and disease resistance

flavour and style

Effects of vine canopy reduction and grape exposure on fruit and wine quality

Features and benefits of a range of manual and/or automated canopy management styles and techniques and their respective affect on grape quality, cropping yield and wine production requirements. This should include techniques to manage:

light penetration and shading

air circulation and disease reduction

phenological stages of vine development

crop quality and quantity

Factors influencing vine vigour, including:

grape variety

trellis design

vine spacing

fertilisers

irrigation

rootstock

Key factors affecting the canopy management technique adopted. These may include:

climate, forecast and current weather conditions

vineyard aspect and terrain

grape variety and vigour

grape quality and characteristics required

trellis design

harvesting techniques

disease risk and occurrence

stage of maturity and development

Recognition of correct vine growth stages at which to carry out canopy management activities

Significance and method of monitoring canopy management activities

Safe handling of equipment

Correct operating procedures for equipment

Purpose and application of personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls

Identification of common problems and anomalies

Procedures and responsibility for reporting problems

Environmental issues and controls

Cleaning and storage requirements of equipment

Reporting and recording requirements and procedures

Team facilitation and training techniques

Routine maintenance procedures for equipment where relevant

Information technology systems where relevant

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.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures, licensing requirements and legislative requirements

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

specifications

production schedules

instructions

routine maintenance schedules

work notes

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

manufacturer instructions

verbal direction from manager, supervisor or senior operator

Equipment

Equipment may include:

hydraulic or pneumatic pruners

a range of secateurs

knives

tractor

circular and hand saws

cutter bars

blades

drum pruners

mechanical leaf pluckers and wire lifters

bare hands

maintenance tools and team support equipment (e.g. toilet facilities, first aid box and spare equipment)

Unwanted growth

Unwanted growth may include:

suckers

water shoots

congested shoots

excess bunches

Canopy management systems

Canopy management systems will vary with workplace requirements, but may include:

vertically shoot positioned (VSP)

wide T

Scott Henry

single wire

Canopy management activities

Canopy management activities may include:

leaf removal

shoot removal

applying or removing shade cloth

lifting or lowering foliage wires

positioning shoots

trimming shoots

bunch thinning

Problems and anomalies

Problems and anomalies include:

signs of common pests and diseases, such as mildew, eutypa, phomopsis, boring insects, dying arm, crown gall, and diseased wood or berries

signs of trellis and/or irrigation disrepair or problems

machinery breakdown

team performance

Information systems

Information systems may be:

screen or print based and may include information technology systems, such as recording and reporting, weather forecasting, rainfall maps and infrared canopy monitoring