Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Traditional network technology boundaries
Are now being crossed with technologies such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Digital European Cordless Telephone (DECT), ISDN, and intelligent networks

Network systems and products
Vary considerably across the specific technologies and are usually unique to a particular vendor

Technologies
Can be described in broad terms as: switching, transmission, radio (fixed and mobile), video and satellite

Transmission medium
May be: copper cable, coaxial cable, optic fibre cable, radio, video, satellite

Network Architecture
Can be described as: Analogue (to be phased out by 2000), PDH (plesiochrynous digital hierarchy), SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy), ATM

Network hierarchy
Can be described as backbone, transport, broadband, data, HLS, CLS

Tendering procedures
Are enterprise specific and are usually documented in enterprise process manuals

Tender evaluation
Includes such criteria as: ability to meet planned timeframe, spares availability, price, product type, capacity, performance and quality, company performance, delivery times, quality assurance processes

Warranty details
Are stored either manually or electronically in enterprise data bases

Warranties may
Be distributed to: installers, maintainers, finance groups, purchasing groups, sales and marketing staff

Material purchased
May include: network switching, transmission, radio(both fixed and mobile) systems and equipment(including infrastructure) and relevant installation and maintenance tools and test equipment

Material suppliers
Enterprises enter into preferred supplier relationships and these are generally the first point of reference for material needs
May be partner companies, preferred/approved suppliers or tenderers

Tenders
Are invited both by letter and through the press

Financial documents
May include: invoices, bills, internal financial information sheets, costing documents

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards include:
ACMA Standards
International Standards ISO 9000 and 9001
ITU Recommendations
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Heritage legislation
Industrial awards and conditions
Taxation Act and legislation
Customs Act

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

Evidence of the following is essential:


Mentor/assessor observes candidate's ability to:

interpret design plans
interpret, interrogate and use relevant databases
determine material needs and assessment of requirements beyond current holdings
interact with enterprise personnel, customers and other contractors
apply enterprise spare parts policy
maintain customer focus and consideration of customer needs
comply with all related occupational health and safety requirements and work practices
apply the tender process in accordance with both enterprise and legislative requirements.
Mentor/assessor observes candidate - and candidate delivers at least one oral report to mentor/assessor -/ analysing tenders.
Mentor/assessor observes candidate - and candidate delivers at least one oral report to mentor/assessor -/ reading, interpreting and using equipment/system manuals and specifications and relevant enterprise policy and documentation
Candidate submits a clearly documented hard copy report outlining all options and including recommendations with supporting reasons.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

A workplace conducting the operations covered by this competency unit, equipment and resources relevant to the context of the work (See Range Statement) and support from a competent supervisor or mentor.
OR
A simulated environment with similar provisions which conforms to the Assessment Guidelines.

Guidance information for assessment
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge.