Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to coordinate crop harvesting activities.
It applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for crop harvesting | 1.1 Identify the crop to be harvested and the requirements and procedures to assure crop quality 1.2 Determine crop maturity by experience, specification charts, aids or devices and according to client, enterprise and industry quality assurance specifications 1.3 Identify that suitable weather conditions for picking are established according to enterprise work procedures 1.4 Select tools, equipment and machinery according to harvest requirements 1.5 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery |
2. Coordinate harvesting activities | 2.1 Inform seasonal labour of the harvest plan/strategy 2.2 Assign daily work tasks to harvest staff 2.3 Ensure work program allows for contingencies caused by weather or other interruptions 2.4 Monitor the harvest and coordinate changes to work activities as required |
3. Monitor crop quality throughout harvest | 3.1 Ensure harvesting procedures and the harvested crop comply with specifications 3.2 Ensure crop is handled in a way that minimises damage 3.3 Ensure sorting and grading of the crop complies with specifications 3.4 Minimise post-harvest deterioration in crop storage according to enterprise work procedures 3.5 Transport the crop with minimum damage 3.6 Calculate and record picking tallies or harvest yields |
4. Deliver crop to specified destination | 4.1Confirm delivery details including quantity, timing and destination 4.2 Deliver crop with damage levels that are within specifications 4.3 Ensure crop complies with client, enterprise and industry quality assurance specifications 4.4 Complete delivery documentation accurately |
Evidence of Performance
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:
coordinate a work group
maintain harvest requirements
monitor crop quality
prepare for crop harvesting activities
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for
effect of adverse climatic conditions (e.g., rain, hail, extreme wind, or very high ultraviolet radiation), which may prevent or impede crop harvesting operations, or severely influence the time taken to complete the tasks necessary to fulfil the operation
enterprise quality procedures and characteristics of a crop relative to varying market requirements
grading characteristics of each crop
importance of maintaining quality of produce including cooling requirements and quick transport from field to processing areas
industry wage rates and conditions, contractors services, conditions and rates
licensing requirements for use of forklifts, trucks and machinery
recognition of the maturity parameters of a range of crops
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Production horticulture (PHT)