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 equipment, MSDS and follow other specified OHS procedures

follow vine protection procedures

prepare for, implement and monitor nursery activities

prepare vine rootlings for transport

monitor the health of rootlings.

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 nursery requirements

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

Liaise with other work areas and customers

Prepare field nursery bed for planting. This may include:

herbicide treatment

soil cultivations

fertiliser additions

planning vine planting (e.g. number of vines, area size, varietal lots, row spacing for mechanical operations and row orientation)

application of weed matting

positioning irrigation pipes and points

checking readiness of maintenance infrastructure

Select and apply appropriate vine protection methods. This should include consideration of:

climate, weather and prevailing wind

vineyard pests (e.g. rabbits)

aspect, orientation of vineyard

irrigation or fertilisation schedule

frost incidence

Maintain and care for young vines

Monitor the health and growth of young vines. This may involve monitoring:

soil moisture

signs of disease and pests

water stress

signs of nutrient deficiency

growth rate

Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification growth or appearance, or non-compliance

Report and/or record corrective action as required

Identify, rectify and/or report environmental non-compliance

Use appropriate cleaning techniques

Maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

Lift rootlings from the beds whilst ensuring minimal plant damage. This may include:

roots undercut adequately

gentle handling

Prepare rootlings for transport. This may include:

trimming

counting and bundling

labelling

grading

packing

Plant vines according to enterprise procedures

Take samples and conduct tests according to enterprise procedures

Conduct routine maintenance of equipment 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:

Purpose, requirements and procedures for nursery bed preparation

Protection and maintenance requirements of young vines

Requirements of growing vines

Common causes and signs of young vine growth disorders and corrective action required

Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls

Correct procedures and requirements for lifting vine rootlings from the nursery bed

Preparation requirements and procedures for transporting rootlings

Storage requirements of rootlings

Procedures and responsibility for reporting problems

Environmental issues and controls

Reporting and recording requirements and procedures

Planting procedures where relevant

Sampling and testing procedures where relevant

Routine maintenance procedures for equipment 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

Bed preparation

Bed preparation may include, but is not limited to:

cultivating

fertilising

planning layout

Maintenance infrastructure

Maintenance infrastructure may include:

irrigation or fertilisation equipment and components

windbreaks

Vine protection methods

Vine protection methods include:

waxing

windbreaks

row orientation

pest control

Maintenance activities

Maintenance activities include:

irrigation

fertilising

mulching

weed and pest control

Problems and anomalies

Problems and anomalies include:

signs of pests and diseases

equipment malfunction

rogue vines

Information systems

Information systems may be:

screen or print based

Work hazards

Work may involve exposure to:

chemical, dangerous or hazardous substances