This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to supervise operations in drilling. It prepares individuals to initiate drilling operations, and to monitor, adjust, communicate and report on the execution of drilling operations.

It applies to those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles. They generally perform tasks involving a broad range of varied activities most of which are complex and non-routine.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

supervise drilling operations on at least two occasions, including:

developing an implementation action plan in consultation with team members

monitoring site operations

ensuring required resources are available

providing advice to team members to overcome problems encountered during operations

completing an improvement assessment report in consultation with team members

identifying training requirements of team members and implementing training plans

interpreting the following:

client requirements and procedures

manufacturer requirements and procedures

project plans and drawings.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implement the required procedures and techniques for achieving the required outcomes of drilling operations, including:

preparing and maintaining job reports, log books and diaries

conducting performance monitoring

conducting operational troubleshooting

providing recommendations for improving drilling operations

work with others to supervise drilling operations, including:

communicating instructions to those involved

preparing for and conducting briefings, toolbox and site meetings

maintaining written records and the reports.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key policies, procedures and established requirements for supervising drilling operations, including those for:

risk assessment and management

workplace health and safety

environmental management

workplace communication

work zone traffic management

monitoring methods

conducting job planning

plant, equipment and tools maintenance

materials deliveries

supervising workplace relationships

records and reports

plant and equipment capabilities and application

operational techniques

identification of training needs

potential operational problems

resource requirements and procedures for operations

relationship between various areas of resources and infrastructure industries.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment required to supervise drilling operations

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Drilling