23296 version 1
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Explain the issues related to vermicomposting and their effects on the
worms and the vermicomposting unit
Level
3
Credits
2
Purpose
This unit standard is for people working in, or who wish to work in resource
recovery vermicomposting. People credited with this unit standard are able
to explain the issues related to vermicomposting and their effects on the
worms and the vermicomposting unit.
Subfield
Resource Recovery
Domain
Composting
Status
Registered
Status date
23 April 2007
Date version published
23 April 2007
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
(MITO)
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0114
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
All work practices must comply with the: Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Resource Management Act 1991; Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act
1996; NZS 4454:2005 Composts, soil conditioners and mulches; and The New
Zealand Waste Strategy, Ministry for the Environment, available at
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
23296 version 1
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Definitions
Feedstock is a mixture of organic materials that form the food for worms in a
vermicomposting unit.
Vermicomposting refers to a mixture of vermicast and unprocessed organic matter; it
may also contain worm capsules and small worms. The term may also apply to a mix
of vermicast and composted material.
A vermicomposting unit is made up of a bed in which worms are placed, and worm
cast and (depending on the type of unit) liquid fertilizer is produced. The bed may
include a combination of – of aged manures or composted materials, shredded paper
products, decomposing leaves, straw, soil, vegetable or fruit discard materials.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Explain the issues related to vermicomposting and their effects on the worms and the
vermicomposting unit.
Performance criteria
1.1
Issues related to vermicomposting are explained in terms of their effects on the
health and vitality of the worms and the vermicomposting unit.
Range
issues may include but are not limited to – temperature range,
moisture content, insufficient airflow, insufficient drainage,
presence of contamination.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated) (MITO)
info@mito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016