Elements and Performance Criteria

Work involves the application of solder in electrical/electronic wiring and circuitry applications

Work requires individuals to demonstrate some judgement and problem-solving skills in safety equipment, soldering techniques, environmental issues, repair procedures and vehicle operational requirements
Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions

OH&S requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tooling and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of material, use of fire fighting equipment, enterprise first aid, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances
Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulation/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices
Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, toxic substances, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and site visitors
Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment, extinguishing fires, enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment may include hand tooling and soldering equipment, including electric and gas-fired torches

Materials may include cleaning substances, flux and solder

Communications are to include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault reporting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information sources may include, but are not limited to verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches
Safe work procedures related to soldering of electrical wiring/circuits
Engineer's design specifications and instructions
Organisation work specifications and requirements
Instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
Australian Standards

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

It is essential that competence in this unit signifies ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual circumstance in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements
communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
identifying, setting up, operating and maintaining heating equipment and hand tooling.
achieving soldering outcome and work quality relevant to application

Relationship to other units
Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Underpinning knowledge

A working knowledge of:

OH&S regulations/requirement, equipment material and personal safety requirements
fluxes and their application
types of material, including solder, electrical terminals, wires and circuits
preparation and soldering procedures
guidelines regarding acceptable solder tolerance levels to be considered and manufacturer/component supplier specification
work organisation and planning processes
enterprise quality processes

Specific key competencies, underpinning and employability skills required to achieve the performance criteria
These include a number of processes that are learned throughout work and life, which are required in most jobs. Some of these are covered by the national key competencies, although others may be added. The details below highlight how these competencies are to be applied in the attainment of this unit.

Application of the key competencies in this unit are to satisfy the nominated level in which:

Level 1 - relates to working effectively within set conditions and processes;
Level 2 - relates to management or facilitation of conditions or processes; and
Level 3 - relates to design, development and evaluation of conditions or process.
How will the candidate apply the following key competency in this unit? The candidate will need to:

Collect, analyse and organise information
Collect, organise and understand information related to soldering of electrical components/wiring, work orders, plans and safety procedures
(Level 1)

Communicate ideas and information
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, coordination of work with site supervisor, other workers and customers, and the reporting of work outcomes and problems
(Level 1)

Plan and organise activities
Plan and organise activities, including preparation and layout of worksite and obtaining of equipment and material to avoid backtracking, workflow interruptions or wastage
(Level 1)

Work with others and in a team
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity
(Level 1)

Use mathematical ideas and techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly calculate time, assess tolerances, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks
(Level 1)

Solve problems
Establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage
(Level 1)

Use technology
Use workplace technology related to soldering of electrical wiring/circuits, including the use of soldering tooling, measuring equipment and communication devices and the reporting/documenting of results
(Level 1)

Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite
Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies
Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able to be under the particular circumstance, and is able to be transferred to other circumstances
It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
material relevant to soldering of electrical wiring/circuits
equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to soldering of electrical wiring/circuits
activities covering mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions