Unit of Competency Writers Guide

Transcription

1 Unit f Cmpetency Writers Guide Artibus Innvatin 373 Elizabeth Street, Nrth Hbart Tasmania enquiries@artibus.cm.au Versin 3.0 Nvember 2017

2 File Lcatin: Revisin Histry: wldk2ndq5mjnd/wzisntq4nzq5ndjd/ (Artibus Operatins > Unit Develpment Flder) Versin # Authr Summary f Changes Date f Cleared by Grdn Campbell Glssary remved & made int a separate dcument. Minr Grdn rerdering f sectins. Minr Campbell t template text & explanatins. Fundatin Skills d Grdn wrding and instructins. Only Campbell include skills that cannt be made explicit in PCs 02 Oct 2017 GC 13 Oct 2017 GC 30 Nv 2017 GC Final Apprvals: Name David Mrgan Init ials Title Date f Versin # DM CEO XX Mnth Cntents Purpse... 3 Backgrund... 3 Overview... 4 Prcess fr updating a unit... 4 Templates... 5 Frmatting... 5 Unit f cmpetency template... 5 Assessment requirements template... 8 Language style General principles

3 Cnsistency Spelling Punctuatin Numbers Bullet pints Capitals Plain English Parallel structure Precisin Redundancy, repetitin and wrdiness Muphry s Law Writer s s Register guidelines Purpse This dcument prvides guidance t technical writers n (re)writing units f cmpetency. Backgrund Artibus Innvatin helps Industry Reference Cmmittees review and renew training packages. We talk t emplyers, wrkers, trainers, regulatrs and ther industry stakehlders t see what is and isn t wrking, and based n this we recmmendatins fr. Training packages include a number f different qualificatins (e.g. Certificate II in Shpfitting, Certificate III in Painting and Decrating), and qualificatins are made up f units f cmpetency (units). Units utline the skills and knwledge needed t perfrm wrk tasks. They have a cde number and a title (e.g. CPCCPD3021A Prepare surfaces fr painting). Units break a task dwn int elements (e.g. Remve wallpaper ) which are, in turn, brken dwn int perfrmance criteria. 3

4 Overview Units must cmply with the 2012 Standards fr Training Packages, 1 and with the Artibus templates (Unit f Cmpetency and Assessment Requirements). In the past, Artibus used a different template; cnsequently, many units need t be updated. The primary structural difference is that we are nw nt using the Range f Cnditins field. Cntent frm that field is nw cntained in the Knwledge Evidence field (in Assessment Requirements). There are als a lt f s t the standard text we use (see templates). As a technical writer, yu may have t transfer cntent int the apprpriate sectin, r yu may have this dne autmatically by the template generatr. In many cases, the cntent will require significant adjustments and remval f duplicatin in rder t be incrprated int the new fields. In previus templates, key terms were marked in bld italics, with further explanatin f these terms prvided in the Range f Cnditins field. We n lnger d this. Yu need t remve this bld italic frmatting. Further explanatin fr the terms is still usually prvided (in the Knwledge Evidence field) but the meaning f the key terms shuld be clear enugh in islatin. Rephrase them if this is nt the case. Prcess fr updating a unit Read thrugh the unit. Des it sense? Are the Elements and Perfrmance Criteria clear? They shuld fllw a lgical (generally chrnlgical) sequence. Are there t many r t few? D the Title and Applicatin fields align with the rest f the unit? D sme quick nline research n the task t get an understanding f what it invlves and see if the unit is missing anything. Have a lk at current and superseded equivalent units. These can be viewed at training.gv.au/hme/tga. The Prject Register cntains industry advice and feedback n qualificatins and units. Examine this t see what s have been recmmended. Yu may need t check with the prject manager t establish hw these recmmendatins shuld be addressed. As yu update the units, crrectins and minr s can simply be made withut the need fr any further recrd. The Writer s s Register is the place t recrd any mre substantial s, prpsed s r requests fr further advice

5 In all sectins, aim fr clarity, accuracy, precisin and brevity. Remve any unnecessary wrds r repetitin. If any sentence takes mre than ne read-thrugh t understand, it needs restructuring. Crrect any spelling, punctuatin r grammatical mistakes. Aim fr simplicity and plain English. If yu can cnvey the same meaning in fewer wrds withut reducing clarity, d s. In many cases, specialist industry knwledge is required. Fr example, in the Perfrmance Evidence field (Assessment Requirements) we need t prvide specific details f the assessment task(s) size f task, number f repetitins, etc. If the existing unit has nly vague details, yu may need industry advice t identify what wuld be apprpriate. See the Writer s s Register guidelines at the end f this dcument fr infrmatin n hw t flag s such as these. Templates Frmatting Try t achieve cnsistency in frmat fnt size, spacing, dt pints, indents, etc. but dn t waste t much time n this. We will standardise frmatting when the finished unit is upladed t training.gv.au. Unit f cmpetency template Red has been used t mark text that is used in all r mst units, black is used t prvide examples f typical text r as a placehlder, and blue is used fr cmments. A template with just the cre text is available n the Artibus website. UNIT CODE CCCCXX2222 UNIT TITLE APPLICATION D xxx and yyy This unit specifies the skills and knwledge required t d xxx and yyy. This first sentence can be a simple cpy-and-paste f the title, but yu culd chse t add sme mre detail. Fr example, a title handle 5

6 xxx materials culd be paraphrased/expanded int safely mve and stre xxx materials. It includes ding this first bit f the task, ding this secnd bit and ding the final bit. A succinct breakdwn f the task. This can be kept t a single sentence, but use mre (and/r dt pints) if needed. These can be (but dn t have t be) the chrnlgical sequence f steps. Dn t try t include everything frm Elements/Perfrmance Criteria here. This unit is designed fr thse wrking under clse supervisin n residential r cmmercial building prjects Prvide sme useful infrmatin n hw, where & wh the wrk envirnment and wrk rle this unit is designed fr. Give an indicatin f hw much supervisin, supprt, independence is required. Sme f this inf culd be added in the first part f this sectin if yu can d it neatly ( This unit specifies the skills and knwledge required t d xxx in the residential r cmmercial cnstructin industry.) N licensing, legislative r certificatin requirements apply t this unit at the time f publicatin. If they d apply, then delete this and specify what they are. PREREQUISITE UNIT Nil ELEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Elements the essential utcmes. Perfrmance criteria what needs t be dne t demnstrate achievement f the element. 1. Prepare fr task. 1.1 Obtain task requirements and clarify with client r supervisr. Active and usually starting with a verb. (i.e. nt Task requirements are btained and clarified ) Use capitals and full stps as these are full (imperative) sentences. Nte that we are n lnger marking key terms using bld italics. 1.2 yyy 1.3 zzz If pssible (and relevant), specify the level f perfrmance required (i.e. hw well this aspect f the task shuld be dne), perhaps by describing the purpse f this aspect. Fr example, 2.2 sure 6

7 lifting equipment is clean enugh t be inspected fr defects 2.3 inspect lifting equipment fr defects, including xxx 2.2 yyy 2.3 zzz xxx 3.2 yyy 3.3 zzz FOUNDATION SKILLS Fundatin skills include writing, reading, speaking, listening and numeracy skills as well as emplyment skills skills such as cmmunicatin, teamwrk, prblem slving, initiative and enterprise, planning and rganising, self-management, learning and technlgy. Try t these skills explicit in perfrmance criteria (PC) (and dn t repeat them here). If yu can all fundatin skills explicit in PC, then just include this statement. Fundatin skills essential t perfrmance are explicit in the perfrmance criteria f this unit. Otherwise: This sectin s the language, literacy, numeracy and emplyment skills essential t perfrmance in this unit but nt explicit in the perfrmance criteria: writing skills t n capital at start r full stp fr list items that are nt sentences reading skills t interpret: xxx yyy zzz. Use dt-pint sub-lists if required, but simple, shrt lists dn t have t be in dt pints: speaking and listening skills t aaa, bbb and ccc. speaking and listening skills, including the use f questining, t clarify and cnfirm client requirements. numeracy skills t calculate 7

8 cmmunicatin and teamwrk skills t ensure that anticipated delays in task cmpletin are cnveyed t team members likely t be affected technlgy skills t UNIT MAPPING INFORMATION Supersedes and is equivalent t r N equivalent unit LINKS Cmpanin vlumes t this training package are available at the VETNet website: Assessment requirements template TITLE Assessment Requirements fr CCCCXX2222 D xxx and yyy PERFORMANCE EVIDENCE T demnstrate cmpetency in this unit, a persn must prepare the fllwing surfaces fr painting: a new plasterbard surface f at least eight square metres a previusly-cated metal r masnry surface f at least ne square metre Be specific abut the activity, the number f separate ccasins n which it shuld be dne, the amunt r quantity, etc. There is n need t repeat r summarise detail frm Elements/Perfrmance Criteria (PC). In Perfrmance Evidence we list the particularities f the assessment task, but the details f what shuld be dne every time yu d that kind f task (e.g. read the specificatins, set up the safety signs and barriers, tidy up afterwards) are cntained in PC and dn t need t be repeated here. The final statement s it clear that all PC need t be addressed thrugh assessment. In ding this, the persn must meet the perfrmance criteria fr this unit. KNOWLEDGE EVIDENCE 8

9 This sectin cntains detail that was previusly in ther sectins. (Details previusly in Range Statement / Range f Cnditins are nw here.) It will likely take a bit f time t rganise this cntent in a clear and lgical fashin and remve repetitin. T be cmpetent in this unit, a persn must demnstrate knwledge f: This wrding implies demnstrating the knwledge thrugh task perfrmance (a cre principle f VET assessment). Hwever, it s nt always pssible fr everything listed in KE t be demnstrated this way. The wrding is designed t give sme wriggle rm t RTOs, allwing the candidates breadth f knwledge t be tested thrugh questining (e.g. in a security unit, the assessr might ask hw wuld yu have dealt with that situatin if the persn seemed [intxicated/a minr/nn-english-speaking] rather than the assessr having t assemble all these types f peple. requirements fr safe perfrmance f this task under WHS laws, regulatins and cdes f practice. hazards typically encuntered during perfrmance f this task, including: verhead wires principles and prcesses f hazard identificatin and management, including the hierarchy f cntrl equipment fr hazard management, including: signs barricades xxx the use and limitatins f paint-stripping chemicals the use and limitatins f materials and tls and equipment used t prepare surfaces fr painting: drp sheets duster brushes xxx techniques fr remving catings: chemical stripping grinding sanding xxx techniques fr remving wallpaper: dry stripping saking steam stripping. ASSESSMENT CONDITIONS 9

10 Assessrs must satisfy the requirements fr assessrs cntained in the Standards fr Registered Training Organisatins. Assessment must be cnducted in the wrkplace r in a simulated wrkplace envirnment. Tasks are t be perfrmed t the level f prficiency and within the time limits expected in a wrkplace. If there are mre specific requirements, include them. Assessrs are respnsible fr ensuring that the persn demnstrating cmpetency has access t: industry-standard tls and equipment fr ding xxx: xxx yyy materials used in ding : zzz manufacturers specificatins and safety data sheets (SDSs) fr materials. Specify tls and equipment (& materials) that must be present. Make sure all items listed in Perfrmance Evidence are included (e.g. if candidates have t prepare a type f surface, list that surface). It s nt usually necessary t list instructins fr assessment task, but d list any plans r diagrams r ther essential paperwrk r infrmatin required. LINKS Cmpanin vlumes t this training package are available at the VETNet website: Language style General principles We generally fllw the recmmendatins f the Cmmnwealth Style Manual and the spelling used in the Macquarie Dictinary, but yu dn t need access t these t write r update units. Sme frequently encuntered s f spelling, punctuatin and wrd chice are lked at in the fllwing sectins. Cnsistency Use cnsistent wrding and general structure acrss units, especially thse within a particular sectr r qualificatin. Dn t use plans in ne unit and strategies in ne unit if yu re referring t the same type f thing. If yu are using different terms fr different things (e.g. plant, equipment and tls) sure yu are ding this accurately and cnsistently and in ways that are cmmnly understd by industry. 10

11 This pint f the spelling and punctuatin advice in this sectin is t prvide unifrmity. We nt saying, fr example, that single qutatin marks are better than duble nes r that prgram is better than prgramme, but just like deciding which side f the rad t drive n it s best when we re all ding the same thing. Spelling Use Macquarie Dictinary spelling. Smetimes alternative spellings are given. Use the first spelling that is prvided, nt the alternative spellings fllwing als r r : prgram nt prgramme per cent nt percent (but mre ften we d use the symbl, %) a licence, a licensing authrity Yu need t practise. She has had a lt f practice. usually -ise nt -ize (realise, rganisatin, etc.) traveller, travelling nt traveler, traveling fcused, fcusing There is a lt f variety between dictinaries as t whether cmpund wrds are pen, hyphenated r clsed (e.g. time frame, time-frame r timeframe) (it s the first ne, apparently). If yu dn t have Macquarie Dictinary access, pick the ptin that seems mst standard in Australian English, and be cnsistent. Punctuatin Use single qutatin marks. Generally, dn t use a cmma befre and in a list f items: apples, ranges and bananas. Full stps with e.g. and i.e. They had fruit (e.g. apples, ranges and bananas). Dn t use e.g. and etc. in the same list. Generally, dn t use apstrphes fr plurals. 1990s, IRCs. But there are sme cases where they may be necessary fr clarity. A s are better. Numbers Generally, use wrds fr numbers up t nine rather than using numerals, but keep a cnsistent style when numbers are clse tgether. Curses run fr 4, 8, 12 r 16 weeks. Use numerals fr numbers that have a symbl r abbreviated unit f measurement: 3%, 8 km 11

12 Bullet pints The phrase intrducing the bullet pints ends with a cln. If the bullet pint items are nt full sentences, dn t start them with capitals, and dn t end them with cmmas r semiclns. Leave them blank, except fr a full stp after the last dt pint item. The prcess invlves: cnsulting stakehlders prviding feedback making recmmendatins. Use nrmal sentence punctuatin fr bullet pint items that are cmplete sentences. Capitals Capitals are nt used fr states, territries, units f cmpetence, training package, real estate sectr. Use a capital fr Cmmnwealth. Use capitals fr the specific names f standards, plicies, agreements: The case will be assessed by the department against the activity rder as well as the Standards fr Training Packages and Plain English Simple wrds are ften better clearer, mre precise, just as crrect. Use cncrete terms rather than abstract, and specific terms rather than general. Implement safety equipment. Put safety equipment in place r Erect barriers and signs t Situate panels in an area apprpriate t the jb task. Psitin panels ready fr installatin. Parallel structure Use parallel cnstructin where pssible that is, use the same grammatical cnstructin fr tw r mre jined r listed items. Rather than prcesses fr risk assessment and cntrlling risks [tw items with different grammatical frms], use prcesses fr risk assessment and cntrl r prcesses fr assessing and cntrlling risks Parallel structure shuld be fllwed in dt pints. Strategies include: 12

13 Industry fcus [= nun phrase] Incrprate small business develpment [= sentence] incrpratin f Cllabrative [= adjective] cllabratin. Precisin relating t / in relatin t / relevant t / in the cntext f / assciated with: These wrds cnvey that there is sme kind f linkage between tw things, but dn t say much mre. Smetimes these wrds are the best ptin, but ften the link can be mre specific. Must have all PPE relevant t [required fr] the task. Redundancy, repetitin and wrdiness Dn t use a list f synnyms when there is n need t. Fr example, dn t write perfrm tasks/prcesses/activities unless yu and the reader have a reasn fr differentiating between these. Muphry s Law This guide cntains mistakes and incnsistencies and breaks its wn rules. Writer s s Register guidelines Unit Actin sectin Recrd Make Recrd Actin rectificatin Cde & Title Title des nt reflect the Actin: e.g. new cntent f the title wrding / unit t ther part/s f unit Any ther s with Actin Title 13

14 Unit Actin sectin Recrd Make Recrd Actin rectificatin Applicatin Applicatin cntent des Actin: e.g. new nt align with title r title applicatin wrding / t ther part/s f unit Applicatin Edit t wrding is imprve clumsy, prly readability cnstructed, withut unclear and/r changing imprecise intent Applicatin des nt cver all f: summary f unit cntent applicatin f unit (where & wh) licensing Any ther s with Applicatin Edit in line with intent explain f unit title rectificatin and cntent Decide whether t recmmend actin r and recrd rectificatin Elements An element is Decide whether the d element can be aligned explain generically t the unit: rectificatin with a tenuus link t the unit fcus simple s t clarify the element fcus if this aligns it with the unit cntent & the assciated perfrmance criteria If the fix is cmplex, recmmendatin/s 14

15 Unit Actin sectin Recrd Make Recrd Actin rectificatin fr rectificatin but d nt An element is included actin inapprpriately An element Decide whether the des nt element can be re- explain prvide the written t cver the PCs rectificatin fcus & simple s addressed by t clarify the element the related fcus OR leave perfrmance und & flag fr criteria cnsultatin The title, applicatin, actin structure and/r cntent f the unit indicate that an element may be missing The elements appear t be in actin the wrng rder Any ther Decide whether t recmmend actin r and s with recrd rectificatin elements Perfrmance The wrding f Imprve Criteria (PC) a PC is clumsy, readability prly withut cnstructed, changing unclear and/r intent imprecise 15

16 Unit Actin sectin Recrd Make Recrd Actin rectificatin A PC includes Imprve redundant readability wrds are used withut (e.g. relevant changing in select intent relevant equipment) A PC has a Decide whether the PC tenuus link t can be re-written t link explain the element t the element & rectificatin OR leave und & flag fr cnsultatin A PC is wrngly placed within actin an element r is part f the wrng element The title, applicatin, actin structure and/r cntent f the unit indicate that a PC may be missing The PCs appear t be in the actin wrng rder Any ther s with PCs Decide whether t recmmend actin r and recrd rectificatin 16

17 Unit Actin sectin Recrd Make Recrd Actin rectificatin Perfrmance The surce Suggest Recrd Evidence unit des nt wrding rectificatin (PE) specify prduct based n (culd be &/r prcess (culd be unit title generically) evidence generically) The surce unit des nt actin (number include f tasks r frequency r prducts) vlume f evidence Any ther s with PE Recrd cde & item Decide whether t recmmend actin r and recrd rectificatin Knwledge One r mre Create Recrd all new Evidence PCs are nt suggested KE items (KE) underpinned KE by apprpriate item/s KE based n PC/s Items in Delete Recrd deleted Required items items Knwledge in surce units appear nt t link t PCs Any ther s with KE Decide whether t recmmend actin r and recrd rectificatin 17

18 Unit Actin sectin Recrd Make Recrd Actin rectificatin Assessment Assessment Recrd items Cnditins Cnditins in include nt included surce unit items in (culd be appear Assessment generically) inapprpriate/ Cnditins unwrkable Any ther s with Assessment Cnditins Decide whether t recmmend actin r and recrd rectificatin 18