Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to use individual fleece measurements to prepare wool for sale as required by the enterprise’s classing strategy and marketing plan.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable 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. Gather objectively measured data. | 1.1 Arrange shed or wool room layout for efficient sampling operation where required 1.2 Identify potential and existing work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement control measures 1.3 Collate available information 1.4 Assess tested sample to determine its appropriateness as a representative sample 1.5 Determine the requirements for additional information needed to validate measurements |
2. Analyse collected data | 2.1 Review and evaluate available data to determine possible lines 2.2 Make comparisons with previous measurements if available |
3. Analyse market trends | 3.1 Review information produced by industry to determine market trends 3.2 Evaluate the potential for movement in prices against available data 3.3 Determine the extent to which discounts are applied |
4. Prepare wool to meet requirements of the market | 4.1 Analyse the impact on the market of variable quantities 4.2 Use available information to prepare the wool to best advantage 4.3 Package wool in the most appropriate manner |
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:
arrange shed or wool room layout for sampling efficient operation where required
understand and interpret the individual fleece measurements
class wool to standards in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Preparation of Australian Wool Clips, or as required by the enterprise classing strategy and marketing plan
communicate specific and detailed requirements for wool preparation and classing to wool handling staff
identify wool of higher and lower market value and make lines which maximise return to woolgrower
implement enterprise work health and safety policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
features of wool room layouts which promote efficient wool flow and handling
characteristics different breeds of sheep
inherent wool characteristics , including fibre diameter, staple length and strength, colour, yield, VM type, curvature, comfort factor
fleece measurement criteria - techniques used to measure wool characteristics
interpretation of test results
principles of classing , including mob/flock concept, variability for fibre diameter and staple length, soundness, defects
classing scenarios requiring detail of clip break-ups
clip analysis reports and comparisons
clips and other relevant quality standards
requirements of work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and enterprise procedures
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Evidence of competency must be demonstrated in Fine/Superfine Merino, Medium/Strong Merino and Crossbred wool clips.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs and be currently registered with the Australian Wool Exchange as Australian Wool classers.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Wool (WOL)