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

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

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

Evidence of ability to:

use personal protective equipment, MSDS and follow other specified OHS procedures

correctly handle potting media and chemicals and disinfectants

select and mix chemical treatments to required concentrations

sterilise posts and work surfaces to instructions

select or blend potting media according to instructions and placed into pots

correctly carry out grading, waxing or other preparations of cuttings before potting

plant cuttings correctly and label trays

dispose of waste according to procedures

complete records correctly.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

personal protective clothing and equipment as required

work procedures, including advice on company practices, safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

instructions, information, specifications and schedules as required

equipment, services and corresponding information as required

products and materials as required

internal and external customers and suppliers as required

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required

documentation and recording requirements and procedures.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competence should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Required skills

Note: The following required skills should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Ability to:

Access workplace information to identify potting requirements

Confirm supply of necessary materials

Liaise with other work areas and customers

Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Select, operate, maintain and store required equipment according to instructions

Maintain work area and equipment to meet workplace housekeeping standards

Maintain work area and equipment to meet workplace hygiene standards

Use appropriate cleaning techniques

Recognise problems and anomalies and correct and/or report them as instructed

Implement safe work practices to minimise risk of hazard

Identify, rectify and/or report environmental non-compliance

Maintain workplace records

Prepare chemical treatments to required concentration and ensure a homogenous mix

Prepare cuttings as instructed. This may include:

grading

waxing

dipping in hormones

hydrating

Plant cuttings as instructed. This may include

putting correct amount of media into the pots

placing cuttings with nodes facing upwards

Label trays as instructed

Transfer potted cuttings as instructed

Water potted cuttings as instructed

Collect and dispose of waste as instructed

Use oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

Work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Note: The following required knowledge should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Knowledge of:

Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls

Purpose and application of protective clothing and/or equipment

Correct operating procedures of equipment

Safe and effective handling of equipment

Safe preparation and handling of potting media

Cleaning requirements and procedures for work area and equipment

Environmental issues and controls

Reporting and recording requirements and procedures

Procedures and responsibilities for reporting problems and anomalies

Waste disposal requirements and procedures

Safe preparation and handling of chemicals

Commonly occurring problems with potted cuttings

Principles of nursery hygiene

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures, licensing requirements and legislative requirements

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

specifications

production schedules

instructions

routine maintenance schedules

work notes

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

manufacturer instructions

verbal direction from manager, supervisor or senior operator

Equipment

Equipment may include:

potting machines

front-end loader

forklift

Materials

Materials may include:

potting mix

pots

cuttings

trays

pallets

Waste

Waste may include:

rejected cuttings

spilled potting media

damaged pots

boxes

Hazards

Hazards may include:

inhaling potting media

use of chemicals and disinfectants

moving machinery

transferring pots

exposure to sun

dust

using fungicide and hormone dips

operating potting equipment

Media components

Media components may include:

sand

potting mix

gravel

gro-wool

sawdust

pine bark

perlite

vermiculite

foam

peat

amendments

nutrients

ameliorants

ash

rice hulls

sphagnum moss

commercial mixes

Contamination

Contamination may include:

pests

diseases

viruses

Problems and anomalies

Problems and anomalies may include:

evidence of nematodes

crown gall

dehydration

infection

physical damage

graft union failure

Treatments

Common treatments may include:

waxing

fungicide dips or drench

watering in

Labelling

Labelling may include:

variety

clone

batch number

date potted

number potted

Records

Records will include:

batch number

clone variety

date potted

number potted

treatments administered