Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

Who may be referred to as a client?
Clients may include retail customers and commercial clients. Clients may include private individuals, companies, community groups, government agencies, or a combination of these entities.

What preferences and requirements may clients have?
These may include the purpose or intended use of the product, preferred plant species and cultivars, plant characteristics, growth habits and cultural requirements, on-going maintenance of the product, quality and grades, quarantine specifications and protocols, presentation, packaging, postharvest care of the product, quantities, availability, returns policy or non-compliance policy, contractual arrangements, pricing structures, budget limitations, payment terms and timelines for distribution and delivery of product.

What horticultural products are relevant to this standard?
Industry sectors involved in production may include nursery, turf, floriculture and production horticulture. Products may include fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, foliage, bulbs, tubers, nuts, mushrooms, seeds, wild harvest plants and oils, and trees, shrubs, turf, and containerised and bare-rooted grown plants.

What growing environment factors of the site need to be assessed?
Growing environment factors may include rainfall, humidity, wind, sunlight intensity, mean temperatures, season length, air quality and flow, growth media types, structure and profiles, nutrient toxicities and deficiencies, presence or absence of weeds, pests, diseases and beneficial organisms, the aspect of the site, slope, natural and artificial watercourses, other water supplies and quality, outcrops and existing plant species.

What services on the site may need to be considered?
Services may include water supply, gas, power (electricity), telecommunications, irrigation, stormwater and drainage.

What site modifications may influence the production plan?
Modifications may include human intervention such as the placement or removal of buildings, structures, features, plants and landscaping attributes, and natural events such as wildfire, flooding and drought.

What growing requirements of plant species and cultivars will need to be researched?
Growing requirements may include the factors that need to be manipulated to meet the requirements of the marketing strategy, the options available to manipulate the growing environment, and the selection of optimal conditions for the growing environment to meet growing parameters and market requirements.
Growing requirements of plants may be met in controlled environments such as glasshouses, poly-houses, conservatories, tunnels and hydroponic systems, and in field production sites.

What local by-laws and restrictions may affect the production plan?
These may include prohibited plant species, restricted plant species, land-use restrictions, legal processes and requirements for site development, and work activities.

What sustainable land use issues may arise when developing a production plan?
Sustainable land use issues may include waste minimisation, energy conservation, water resource management, cultural practices, weed, pest and disease control, and conservation of heritage values such as native vegetation.

What plant establishment procedures may apply to this standard?
Softscape features of the production site may include testing of growth media for physical and chemical characteristics; construction of soil profiles; application of soil treatments; preparation of growth media for planting; propagation of planting material, potting and growing-on; planting methods; post-planting care; and the retention of site debris.
Hardscape features of the production site may include installation of controlled environment and propagation facilities; installation of irrigation and/or drainage systems; the protection of plants by fencing; the erection of trellising; and controlling pedestrian and vehicular traffic through the erection of signs and barriers.

What is involved in the cultural management of the growing environment?
Management of the growing environment may be achieved through cultural practices including growth media preparation, watering, fertilising, weed, pest and disease control, integrated pest management, crop regulation such as canopy management, pruning, de-budding and use of growth hormones and retardants, light manipulation, air, temperature and humidity control, trellising, staking, tying and potting-on.

What OHS hazards may be identified as part of the production plan?
Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, soil-, air- and water-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, confined spaces, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, slippery and uneven surfaces, and flying and falling objects.

What controls may be introduced to minimise the risk of OHS hazards?
Controls should be introduced according to enterprise OHS policies and procedures and may include identifying hazards; assessing and reporting risks; cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of PPE including sun protection; safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery, ensuring operational safety exits from coolrooms and gassing chambers; confined spaces policy and procedures; safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances; correct manual handling; appropriate use of safety equipment such as signage and protective barriers; basic first aid available on site; personal hygiene, and reporting problems to managers.

What specifications for staged implementation may apply to this standard?
These may include gradual establishment of production site, planting during different times, and provision of access for future works.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in developing a production plan for a horticultural enterprise requires evidence that a person can assess market requirements and site factors, select suitable plant species and cultivars, determine resources and equipment for establishing production sites, planting and maintenance, and prepare plans, specifications, quotations and associated documents.The skills and knowledge required to develop a production plan must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different flower, vegetable and/or fruit varieties, production processes and enterprise procedures.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

establishment and maintenance of a range of enterprise horticultural products in relation to client needs and the standards required by the marketplace
establishment procedures, plant selection and cultural practices for a range of enterprise horticultural products
the advantages and limitations of sustainable horticulture systems
the role of business and marketing plans and client consultation processes in planning horticultural production
processes and techniques for preparing, costing and documenting plans for and scheduling horticultural production.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

communicate and negotiate orally and in writing with the client, staff, managers, suppliers, contractors and consultants
research and evaluate information
record all relevant information
comply with legislative requirements
document plans, specifications and production work procedures and write reports for the understanding of staff, managers, clients and contractors
calculate the cost and spatial and logistical requirements of components of the horticultural production plan.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Details of the production plan and scheduling should be communicated with senior management orally and in writing. There is likely to be negotiation between the developer of the production plan and the client to achieve objectives. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Some information will need to be researched and/or obtained from test results. Information addressing the specific requirements of the production plan should be analysed and outcomes discussed with the client and other members of the work team. Information about production activities should be organised and presented as a site plan, documented plans, quotation, written work procedures and timeline chart, and schedules for production activities. (3)

Planning and organising activities
The planning process should proceed in an orderly and efficient manner. Timely and appropriate information needs to be available for decision-making. The plan for horticultural production should reflect the activities required to achieve the production targets and business objectives. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Planning horticultural production may involve working with other members of a team to achieve the desired outcomes. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical concepts will be required to measure quantities, distances, depth, and calculate areas, resources, costs, ratios, scales, planting and application rates. (3)

Solving problems
Problems relating to the requirements of the client, nature of the production site, availability of resources and equipment, costs and environmental issues may arise during planning of horticultural production. (3)

Using technology
Technology will be required to record, store and communicate ideas and information. It will also be used to research relevant information, obtain and analyse data from site evaluation tests, and to produce and monitor the production plan. (3)