Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to support alpaca shearing operations.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for own work. They identify and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
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 materials, tools and equipment for alpaca shearing support activities | 1.1 Identify required materials, tools and equipment from provided lists or a supervisor’s instructions 1.2 Check materials, tools and equipment and report to supervisor if there are insufficient available or faults 1.3 Identify potential and existing hazards in the workplace and report to the supervisor 1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment |
2. Carry out alpaca shearing support duties | 2.1 Follow supervisor’s instructions and seek clarification when necessary 2.2 Handle, pen and work around alpacas in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner, using correct manual handling techniques and in accordance to enterprise and work health and safety guidelines and animal welfare policies 2.3 Interact with others in a positive and professional manner 2.4 Report problems or difficulties that may impact on completion of work to the required standards or achievement of timelines and take remedial action as directed 2.5 Observe site quarantine and other biosecurity protocols 2.6 Store waste material produced during alpaca shearing in a designated area 2.7 Keep own work area clean and tidy while working and provide assistance as instructed to keep the general work area clean and tidy 2.8 Monitor weather conditions post-shearing for risk of exposure for shorn animals |
3. Clean up on completion of alpaca shearing | 3.1 Return materials to store or dispose of according to supervisor’s instructions 3.2 Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment 3.3 Report work outcomes to supervisor, seek feedback on performance and note any required improvements for future action 3.4 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies |
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 be observed supporting alpaca shearing operations.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and apply safe work practices
clean up during and on completion of alpaca shearing
handle, pen and work around alpacas safely and humanely
prepare and handle materials, tools and equipment for alpaca shearing support tasks
apply work health and safety in the context of own work
apply enterprise biosecurity protocols in the context of own work
apply enterprise animal welfare policies in the context of own work
apply enterprise environmental sustainability policies in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
alpaca fleece types
basic fleece handling practices
safe work practices associated with alpaca shearing activities
shearing tools and equipment required for alpaca shearing
biosecurity legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
work health and safety legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice applying to the job role
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
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
Shearing (SHG)