What is competency?
The broad concept of industry competency concerns the ability to perform particular tasks and duties to the standard of performance expected in the workplace. Competency requires the application of specified skills, knowledge and attitudes relevant to effective participation in an industry, industry sector or enterprise.
Competency covers all aspects of workplace performance and involves performing individual tasks; managing a range of different tasks; responding to contingencies or breakdowns; and, dealing with the responsibilities of the workplace, including working with others. Workplace competency requires the ability to apply relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes consistently over time and in the required workplace situations and environments. In line with this concept of competency Training Packages focus on what is expected of a competent individual in the workplace as an outcome of learning, rather than focussing on the learning process itself.
Competency standards in Training Packages are determined by industry to meet identified industry skill needs. Competency standards are made up of a number of units of competency each of which describes a key function or role in a particular job function or occupation. Each unit of competency within a Training Package is linked to one or more AQF qualifications.
Contextualisation of Units of Competency by RTOs
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may contextualise units of competency in this endorsed Training Package to reflect required local outcomes. Contextualisation could involve additions or amendments to the unit of competency to suit particular delivery methods, learner profiles, specific enterprise equipment requirements, or to otherwise meet local needs. However, the integrity of the overall intended outcome of the unit of competency must be maintained.
Any contextualisation of units of competency in this Training Package must be within the bounds of the following advice:
- RTOs must not remove or add to the number and content of elements and performance criteria.
- RTOs can include specific industry terminology in the range statement.
- Any amendments and additions to the range statement made by RTOs must not diminish the breadth of application of the competency, or reduce its portability.
- RTOs may add detail to the evidence guide in areas such as the critical aspects of evidence or required resources and infrastructure—but only where these expand the breadth of the competency and do not limit its use.
Components of Units of Competency
The components of units of competency are summarised below, in the order in which they appear in each unit of competency.
Unit Title
The unit title is a succinct statement of the outcome of the unit of competency. Each unit of competency title is unique, both within and across Training Packages.
Unit Descriptor
The unit descriptor broadly communicates the content of the unit of competency and the skill area it addresses. Where units of competency have been contextualised from units of competency from other endorsed Training Packages, summary information is provided. There may also be a brief second paragraph that describes its relationship with other units of competency, and any licensing requirements.
Employability Skills
This sub-section contains a statement that the unit contains Employability skills.
Pre-requisite Units (optional)
If there are any units of competency that must be completed before the unit, these will be listed.
Application of the Unit
This sub-section fleshes out the unit of competency’s scope, purpose and operation in different contexts, for example, by showing how it applies in the workplace.
Competency Field (Optional)
The competency field either reflects the way the units of competency are categorised in the Training Package or denotes the industry sector, specialisation or function. It is an optional component of the unit of competency.
Sector (optional)
The industry sector is a further categorisation of the competency field and identifies the next classification, for example an elective or supervision field.
Elements of Competency
The elements of competency are the basic building blocks of the unit of competency. They describe in terms of outcomes the significant functions and tasks that make up the competency.
Performance Criteria
The performance criteria specify the required performance in relevant tasks, roles, skills and in the applied knowledge that enables competent performance. They are usually written in passive voice. Critical terms or phrases may be written in bold italics and then defined in range statement, in the order of their appearance in the performance criteria.
Required Skills and Knowledge
The essential skills and knowledge are either identified separately or combined. Knowledge identifies what a person needs to know to perform the work in an informed and effective manner. Skills describe the application of knowledge to situations where understanding is converted into a workplace outcome.
Range Statement
The range statement provides a context for the unit of competency, describing 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. As applicable, the meanings of key terms used in the performance criteria will also be explained in the range statement.
Evidence Guide
The evidence guide is critical in assessment as it provides information to the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and assessor about how the described competency may be demonstrated. The evidence guide does this by providing a range of evidence for the assessor to make determinations, and by providing the assessment context. The evidence guide describes:
- conditions under which competency must be assessed including variables such as the assessment environment or necessary equipment;
- relationships with the assessment of any other units of competency;
- suitable methodologies for conducting assessment including the potential for workplace simulation;
- resource implications, for example access to particular equipment, infrastructure or situations;
- how consistency in performance can be assessed over time, various contexts and with a range of evidence; and
- the required underpinning knowledge and skills
Employability Skills in Units of Competency
The detail and application of Employability Skills facets will vary according to the job-role requirements of each industry. In developing Training Packages, industry stakeholders are consulted to identify appropriate facets of Employability Skills which are incorporated into the relevant units of competency and qualifications.
Employability Skills are not a discrete requirement contained in units of competency (as was the case with Key Competencies). Employability Skills are specifically expressed in the context of the work outcomes described in units of competency and will appear in elements, performance criteria, range statements and evidence guides. As a result, users of Training Packages are required to review the entire unit of competency in order to accurately determine Employability Skills requirements.
How Employability Skills relate to the Key Competencies
The eight nationally agreed Employability Skills now replace the seven Key Competencies in Training Packages. Trainers and assessors who have used Training Packages prior to the introduction of Employability Skills may find the following comparison useful.
| Employability Skills |
Mayer Key Competencies |
| Communication |
Communicating ideas and information |
| Teamwork |
Working with others and in teams |
| Problem solving |
Solving problems
Using mathematical ideas and techniques |
| Initiative and enterprise |
|
| Planning and organising |
Collecting, analysing and organising information
Planning and organising activities |
| Self-management |
|
| Learning |
|
| Technology |
Using technology |
When analysing the above table it is important to consider the relationship and natural overlap of Employability Skills. For example, using technology may involve communication skills and combine the understanding of mathematical concepts.
Explicitly embedding Employability Skills in units of competency
This Training Package seeks to ensure that industry-endorsed Employability Skills are explicitly embedded in units of competency. The application of each skill and the level of detail included in each part of the unit will vary according to industry requirements and the nature of the unit of competency.
Employability Skills must be both explicit and embedded within units of competency. This means that Employability Skills will be:
• embedded in units of competency as part of the other performance requirements that make up the competency as a whole
• explicitly described within units of competency to enable Training Packages users to identify accurately the performance requirements of each unit with regards to Employability Skills.
This Training Package also seeks to ensure that Employability Skills are well-defined and written into units of competency so that they are apparent, clear and can be delivered and assessed as an essential component of unit work outcomes.
Employability Skills Summaries and units of competency
An Employability Skills Summary exists for each qualification. Summaries include broad advice on industry expectations with regard to Employability Skills at the qualification level. Summaries should be used by trainers and assessors to assist in identifying the Employability Skills requirements contained within units of competency.
Sample unit of competency components showing Employability Skills
The following table contains examples of embedded Employability Skills for each component
of a unit of competency. Please note that in the examples below the bracketed skills are
provided only for clarification and will not be present in units of competency within this
Training Package.
Example Employability Skills unit
| Unit component |
Example of embedded Employability Skill |
| Unit Title |
RIIMEX201A Suppress dust in open cut environment |
| Unit Descriptor |
This unit covers suppressing of dust in an open cut environment in the coal and metalliferous mining and extractive industries. It includes applying dust suppressant and minimising dust creation |
| Element |
1. Apply dust suppressant |
| Performance Criteria |
1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to suppressing of dust in an open cut environment
2. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details
3. Select appropriate dust suppression method according to site conditions
4. Distribute dust suppressant in appropriate pattern according to road type
5. Adjust dust suppression activities according to schedule and weather conditions
6. Identify, address and report environmental issues
7. Communicate with other personnel using approved communication methods
8. Adhere to emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel, plant and equipment |
| Range Statement |
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
• legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
• manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
• Australian standards
• code of practice
• Employment and workplace relations legislation
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
| Required Skills and Knowledge |
Required Skills
Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to suppress dust in open cut environment:
• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• make decisions
• direct and signal
• clean equipment
• maintain equipment
• operate equipment
• follow instructions
• identify hazards
• interpret plans, reports, maps, specifications
• maintain records
• follow safe work practices
• troubleshoot
• wear protective equipment Required Knowledge
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to suppress dust in open cut environment:
• emergency procedures
• environmental aspects
• equipment processes, technical capability and limitations
• equipment safety requirements
• geological and technical data (rock formation)
• maintenance procedures
• mine operation system
• OHS procedures
• plan terminology
• site procedures (operational and maintenance)
• site safety requirements
• sprinkler operation
• water truck operation |
| Evidence Guide |
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 worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for suppressing of dust in open cut environment
• implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the suppressing of dust in open cut environment
• working with others to suppress dust in open cut environment that meets all of the required outcomes
• consistent timely suppressing of dust in open cut environment that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes |