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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to manage the environmental effects of engineering activities. Competency in this unit cannot be claimed until all prerequisites have been satisfied.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is the candidate is not in productive work, then an appropriate simulation must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, materials handling, recording and reporting associated with managing the environmental effects of engineering activities or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.

Method of assessment

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Guidance information for assessment

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

undertaking debate on environmental values

reporting on case studies involving examination of environmental values

producing inventory of existing environmental conditions

documenting the findings of the initial environmental assessment

identifying stakeholders' environmental expectations

integrating environmental expectations with the overall outcomes of the operation/project

communicating expected outcomes to stakeholders

documenting variations between expected and current environmental status

implementing strategies for improving the environmental outcomes of the project/operation

evaluating available options

implementing selected sustainable development options

developing environmental management plans

monitoring the implementation of the environmental management plan

collecting environmental data

reviewing and evaluating implementation strategies

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

environmental conditions of the workplace/process/ operation/procedure

the procedures for documenting environmental conditions

applicable environmental legislation and regulations

the legislative/regulatory reporting and recording requirements

the tests and testing procedures required to establish environmental conditions

stakeholders' views on specific options for environmental improvement

opportunities for integrating project/operation outcomes with environmental improvement options

variations between expected and current environmental status

options for improving the environmental status of the project/operation

the costs/benefits of the identified options

the concept of sustainable development

options for sustainable development

criteria for assessing the feasibility of available options

the risks and priorities associated with sustainable development

strategies to implement sustainable development options

the procedures for communicating sustainable development options to stakeholders

strategies to implement environmental development plans

the data necessary to evaluate the implementation of the environmental management plan

procedures for collecting and documenting environmental data

benchmarks against which implementation strategies can be evaluated

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.

Environmental values

Biophysical values eg. clean air, soil, water, biodiversity, ecosystem sustainability, sustaining the quality of natural and artificial environments, both indoor and outdoor Socio cultural values

Existing environmental conditions

Identification of environmental relations - mapping all the relations that will be used and affected by a particular activity in both space and time, analysing the resulting relational map for areas of intense impact, especially as a result of cumulative impacts; identification of physical, socio-cultural and economic conditions for life and for the existing or desired quality of life, identification of the socio-cultural values placed on the current environmental conditions; identification of both the negative and positive environmental impacts, the potential de-sustaining and sustaining aspects of the activity; identification of where engineering interventions and follow-up are possible

Environmental report

A description of the state of the environment, an assessment of the nature and consequence of impacts, identifiable trends, available and recommended actions, identification of responsibilities and potential change agents, cost of action; a critical review of the parameters of the environmental relations considered, the criteria by which they were evaluated, the process of developing responses and the achievement of the actions taken