This unit applies to a classing specialist or an alpaca stud farm owner or employee who will be classing the stud's animal fleece. Work will be carried out under minimal or no supervision according to a predetermined classing strategy.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for classing of alpaca fleece

1.1. Equipment, facilities and layout of shed are arranged according to predetermined classing strategy for efficient fleece flow, quality management and pressing.

1.2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected and used.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and hazards associated with task are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self and others.

1.4. Site quarantine protocols and enterprise and personal hygiene requirements are applied, followed and monitored as required by enterprise procedures or owner/manager instructions.

1.5. Bins and containers are placed correctly and are clearly labelled according to classing strategy, quality management system and enterprise requirements.

2. Carry out classing of alpaca fleece

2.1. Unavoidable required bending and lifting are done using available safety equipment and according to safe work practices.

2.2. Fleece is handled and skirted to standards outlined in classing strategy.

2.3. Fleece is checked to ensure freedom from contamination and stain.

2.4. Fleece is checked to ensure adequate and optimum skirting.

2.5. Different classes of fleece are kept separate as required.

2.6. Fleece is appraised for its characteristics.

2.7. Fleece is classed to standards of the enterprise classing strategy suggested by appropriate authority.

2.8. Fleece of higher and lower market value is identified and lines are made that maximise return to fleece owner.

2.9. Data about fleece is recorded according to enterprise requirements.

3. Dispose of fleece and report on wet fleece

3.1. Fleece is consistently placed in correct bins ready for pressing, ensuring that cross-contamination does not occur.

3.2. Wet fleece is identified according to requirements of classing strategy.

3.3. Existence of wet fleece is brought to the attention of appropriate authority.

3.4. Unavoidable required bending and lifting are done using available safety equipment and according to safe work practices.

4. Follow up classing outcomes

4.1. Feedback on classing outcomes and compliance with industry standards is sought from owner or processor and any required improvements are noted for future action.

4.2. Action is taken to ensure awareness of changes in classing techniques, standards, and processor and market requirements.

Required skills

identify hazards and implement safe work practices

arranging layout of bins and fleece table in a variety of sheds for optimum efficiency of fleece flow and pressing

assessing pigmented fibre risk and separating fleece as required

checking fleece to ensure freedom from contamination and stain

checking fleece to ensure optimum and adequate skirting

classing fleece to standards according to codes of practice or as required by alternative selling methods

identifying and appraising fleece characteristics

identifying fleece of higher and lower market value and ensuring lines are made that maximise return to grower

labelling bins and containers correctly

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

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

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

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

Required knowledge

classing requirements for the range of customers

effect of genetics and environment on fibre characteristics

fleece growth, skin and fibre biology

fleece measurement criteria and techniques used to measure fleece characteristics

inherent fleece characteristics (such as diameter, length and strength, colour, vegetable matter amount and type and yield

interpretation of test results

preparation of documentation of fleece clips

principles of classing

raw fleece characteristics and their effect on processing and final product

shed layouts that promote efficient fleece flow and handling.

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:

arrange the layout of bins and the fleece table

label bins and containers to ensure optimum operational efficiency

check and prepare fleece to ensure freedom from contamination and stain and optimum skirting ratios

appraise fleece characteristics and class fleece to the Alpaca Industry Best Practice Standards for harvesting of Alpaca Fibre

identify fleece of higher and lower market value

set and maintain consistency in lines.

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.

Classing alpaca fleece may include:

all fleece types according to the requirements of processors and the Alpaca Industry Best Practice Standards for Harvesting of Alpaca Fibre.

Unit sector

Wool

This unit contains employability skills.