This unit applies to professional wool classers or shed managers.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and implement shearing and crutching operations

1.1. Flock owner/manager is consulted about requirements and informed of planning issues.

1.2. Order of mobs is determined for shearing and crutching according to enterprise requirements.

1.3. Staffing needs are determined according to legislative requirements and negotiated with grower/contractor.

1.4. Staff are allocated duties and given necessary directions. Shed equipment and materials are arranged in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and quality management system.

1.5. Shearing/crutching plan is implemented and adjusted as conditions change.

2. Implement shearing plan and monitor work flow

2.1. Board is kept clear and fleeces are thrown ready for skirting.

2.2. Non-fleece wools are removed and packed as directed.

2.3. Shed staff are given directions for skirting, and fleece to skirting ratio is monitored.

2.4. Directions are issued for closing off bins and lines for mob cut-outs.

2.5. Enterprise requirements with regard to safe workplace and positive environmental practices are complied with according to OHS and quality management system.

3. Supervise wool pressing

3.1. Wool presser is directed on order for pressing and procedures to minimise contamination.

3.2. Wool presser is consulted to monitor the rate of build-up in lines.

3.3. Pressing instructions are issued which reduce mixed bales, while meeting code of practice requirements for uniformity within lines.

3.4. Bale weights are monitored to ensure efficiencies are achieved for the grower.

3.5. Bales are branded in line with code of practice requirements.

3.6. Wool book is monitored for accuracy, legibility and kept up to date at all times.

4. Provide feedback to grower on clip performance and shearing and crutching operations

4.1. Staff performance in clip preparation is reported on.

4.2. Mob characteristics are related to work flow and clip preparation.

4.3. Possible improvements to wool handling facilities are reported.

4.4. Equipment effectiveness and maintenance requirements are reported to grower.

4.5. Lines made and bale details are related to mob characteristics.

4.6. Lotting advice is explained to grower/ manager.

4.7. Wool clip documentation is completed and presented to grower for signature.

Required skills

plan and implement shearing operations

organise and schedule staff and work tasks

supervise staff and monitor productivity

identify and remove potential workplace hazards

implement risk management strategies

monitor wool flow and clip preparation

press wool, record bale details and brand bales

monitor environmental impacts and implement control measures

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

supervisory procedures with regard to operations and personnel

staff management including team building and conflict resolution

industry requirements with regard to hygiene and safety for shearing facilities and equipment

planning and implementation processes

completing workplace documentation

employment agreements, processes and requirements

OHS and environmental legislation, codes of practice and enterprise requirements.

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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

prepare for shearing

organise mobs into order of shearing

supervise clip preparation and pressing

identify and remove potential sources of contamination

organise mob cut outs and maintain supply of livestock

complete clip documentation and provide feedback to grower.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Operations may include:

shearing and crutching operations for merino and crossbred clips, as well as for goat and alpaca shearing.

Unit sector

Shearing

This unit contains employability skills.