Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
AgriFood Skills Australia Limited
ABN: 56109612356
10 – 12 Brisbane Avenue
BARTON ACT 2600
PO Box 5450
KINGSTON ACT 2604
P: (02) 6163 7200
F: (02) 6162 0610
E: reception@agrifoodskills.net.au
With the exception of the AgriFood Skills Australia logo, any material protected by a trade mark and
where otherwise noted, all material presented in this document is provided under a Creative
Commons Atribution-Share Alike 3.0 Australia licence.
The details of the relevant licence conditions are available on the Creative Commons website
(www.creativecommons.org.au) as is the full legal code. The document must be attributed as the
AgriFood Skills Australia ACMSUS201A Trainer Guide.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Clean Sustainable Skills Package.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
Contents
SECTION 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Purpose of this Trainer Guide ....................................................................................................... 4
1.2 What are skills for sustainability? ................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Resource use ................................................................................................................................. 4
SECTION 2: Preparing to train and assess ............................................................................................... 5
2.1 Designing a meaningful learning experience ................................................................................ 5
2.2 Diversity of learners ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 Reading, writing and numeracy skills – reasonable adjustment ........................................... 5
2.3 Assessment guidance .................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.1 Principles of assessment ........................................................................................................ 6
2.3.2 Rules of evidence ................................................................................................................... 6
SECTION 3: Training delivery guidance ................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Activities and workplace project trainer guidance ....................................................................... 8
3.2 Assessment activities .................................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Example delivery plan ................................................................................................................. 10
Topic 1: Environmental sustainability ........................................................................................... 10
Topic 2: Tools for sustainability .................................................................................................... 11
Topic 3: Legislation ....................................................................................................................... 12
Topic 4: Sustainability improvements........................................................................................... 13
Evidence plan and record ..................................................................................................................... 14
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
SECTION 1: Introduction
1.1 Purpose of this Trainer Guide
This Trainer Guide has been developed by AgriFood Skills Australia to support embedding of skills for
sustainability in Training Packages.
The Trainer Guide together with the Unit Learner Guide will support VET practitioners to effectively
deliver skills for sustainability in the animal care and management sector and in particular, assist
with delivery of Unit ACMSUS201A Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices from
the Animal Care and Management Training Package.
The Trainer and Learner Guide can be down loaded in PDF and Microsoft Word versions from the
AgriFood Skills Australia website (www.agrifoodskills.net.au); they can be used as is or can be
customised to suit your particular learner or cohort.
1.2 What are skills for sustainability?
Skills for sustainability (also known as green skills), are the technical skills, knowledge, values and
attitudes needed in the workforce to develop and support sustainable social, economic and
environmental outcomes in business, industry and the community. (Green Skills Agreement,
DEEWR, 2009)
Competencies for sustainability have been designed to equip companies and their employees with
the knowledge and skills to operate in a world that is increasingly using up natural resources faster
than they can be renewed and therefore operating in an unsustainable manner.
Learners undertaking this Unit are required to demonstrate their ability to participate in
environmentally sustainable work practices.
1.3 Resource use
Information on environmental sustainability is constantly changing so research skills are essential to
ensure the currency of information. Trainers are encouraged to undertake their own research prior
to delivering training in this Unit to ensure the information is current.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
SECTION 2: Preparing to train and assess
2.1 Designing a meaningful learning experience
It is important to make the learning experience meaningful by providing an appropriate context for
the activities. A learner is more likely to engage with training when the activities sit within their
world of experiences.
2.2 Diversity of learners
The animal care and management industry covers a diverse range of sectors.
Trainers may need to tailor training to cater for:





vocational students
trainees or new employees with little or no industry experience
employees completing training on-the-job
employees extending their skills and knowledge to prepare for high level job responsibilities
employees with previous industry experience or qualifications seeking recognition of their
skills.
Learners may need to complete the Unit:




as face-to-face formal classroom based learners
as on-the-job trainees
using a mixed mode of class attendance and on-the-job training
as remote learners.
2.2.1 Reading, writing and numeracy skills – reasonable adjustment
Trainers may make reasonable adjustment to the training to accommodate learners with special
needs, where this does not interfere with the standard of the outcome.
2.3 Assessment guidance
Unit assessment must be relevant to workplace operations (or a simulated environment that
replicates workplace conditions) and satisfy all of the requirements of this Unit.
Assessors must ensure the assessment process and outcome is consistent with the Dimensions of
Competency:




task skills
task management skills
contingency management skills
job/role environment skills.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
2.3.1 Principles of assessment
All assessments carried out by RTOs are required to demonstrate compliance with the principles of
assessment. When you are planning evidence, keep in mind that assessment must be:




Fair – candidate is fully informed and participates in and consents to the process. The
individual needs of the student are taken into account and the process is agreed by all
parties.
Flexible – assessment must allow flexibility in terms of how, when and where competency is
attained.
Reliable – assessment methods and procedures must ensure that competency standards are
applied consistently and that any assessor would judge competency in the same way on the
given evidence.
Valid – assessment is valid when the process assesses what it claims to assess, this refers to
the process rather than the evidence itself.
2.3.2 Rules of evidence
The rules of evidence are closely related to the principles of assessment. The provision of a
comprehensive assessment tool will ensure that the following rules are met:




Authentic - an assessor must be assured that the evidence presented for assessment is the
candidate’s own work.
Current – competency requires demonstration of current performance, the evidence
collected establishes the ability of the candidate to demonstrate competence in the present.
Sufficient - relates to the quality and quantity of evidence assessed. It requires collection of
enough appropriate evidence to ensure that all aspects of competency have been satisfied
and competency can be demonstrated repeatedly. Supplementary sources of evidence may
be necessary.
Valid – evidence is valid when it relates directly to the competency being assessed and
addresses the four Dimensions of Competency.
Assessment activities may be group-based, work-based, project based, self-paced, action learning
based, conducted by distance or e-learning and/or involve practice and experience in the workplace.
Project-based learning and assessment may be particularly appropriate for this Unit. Types of
evidence that may be used to demonstrate competence include:






written and/or oral assessment of candidate’s required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of
practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third party evidence
workplace documentation
a portfolio.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
SECTION 3: Training delivery guidance
ACMSUS201A Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices is a Unit within the
Preventative Biosecurity Skill Set and a Core Unit in the following ACM10 Animal Care and
Management Training Package Qualifications.





ACM20110 Certificate II in Animal Studies
ACM30110 Certificate III in animal Studies
ACM30210 Certificate III in Animal Technology
ACM30310 Certificate III in Captive Animals
ACM30410 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
On completion learners will be able to:




Access, interpret and comply with a range of environment/sustainability legislation and
procedural requirements relevant to daily responsibilities.
Identify and report on current resource usage measurements and inefficiencies identified
and suggest opportunities for improvements.
Follow organisation information to participate in and support an improved resource
efficiency process and report as required.
Identify and report environmental hazards/risks in the workplace and suggest opportunities
for improvements.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
3.1 Activities and workplace project trainer guidance
Learning Activity 1: What is your ecological footprint?
Use this as an introduction exercise into the concept of calculating the cost of resource use.
Although this is a self-paced activity where calculations are completed for the learner it is a useful
introduction to other activities where you may need to assist learners in using numeracy skills to
complete some basic calculations (such as counting and volume and weight estimates).
Learning Activity 2: Ways to go green
Use this exercise to encourage learners to think about simple actions that can be undertaken to
improve environmental sustainability at work. Although the Unit does not cover suggestions for
improvement in resource use until the last section of the Learner Guide, by encouraging learners to
think about simple ideas and concepts that they may already be aware of earlier, it will help prepare
them to look for more specific work relevant improvements for later assessment tasks.
Learning Activity 3: Non-compliance
These case studies have come from the NSW EPA. Legislation and regulations may be slightly
different in each State/Territory so you may need to update these case studies to make them more
relevant to your learners.
The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
Storing and handling liquids case study,
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/sustainbus/2007210caseStudies.pdf
Learning Activity 4: Green building tour
If a tour of the building in Melbourne is not possible, there are several resources on the ACF website
that explain how the building was re-furbished. You may know of other buildings that are closer to
your learners.
See:
 ACF website 60L building, http://www.acfonline.org.au/about-us/our-home-60l
 Sydney City Sydney 2030 Blueprint, http://www.sydney2030.com.au/
 Castleford Veterinary Clinic, SA, http://www.whyallavet.com.au/default.html
Learning Activity 5: Health impacts of resource use
The workplace project is designed to be completed in the workplace with learners working with their
supervisor or mentor. If learners do not have a current workplace, you will need to work with
learners to make other arrangements such as providing a simulated workplace or organising a work
experience placement.
Learning Activity 6: Role play
Design scenarios that are relevant to the level of job responsibility and workplace type for each
learner so that learners can practice interpreting information to:
 identify a potential breach of environmental sustainability regulations or codes of practice
 identify inefficient resource use
 report findings and suggestions verbally to workplace supervisor.
The tactics that learners may need to develop relate to their ability to:
 prioritise issues that have health and welfare impacts
 understand legal consequence
 use assertive language skills to report information and offer solutions.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
3.2 Assessment activities
Assessment Activity 1: What do you know about sustainability?
This activity is an ice breaker to start class interaction and identify current understanding of the topic
and develop information gathering skills. The final glossary of definitions and terms can be used to
confirm the learner understands sustainability principles.
Assessment Activity 2: Chemicals in the workplace
This activity aims to introduce learners to less obvious challenges to environmental sustainability. By
understanding potential pollutants in the workplace learners can appreciate their impact and
support the use of less toxic alternatives if they are available. The challenge in many sectors of
animal care and management are the biosecurity considerations where hygiene is essential to
minimise the risk of the spread of disease.
Assessment Activity 3a: Identify resource use in the workplace
Measurement of resources may include tasks like:
 checking utility bills for water (if on mains), electricity, gas
 comparing the number of items purchased (e.g. reams of paper, bags of feed, disposable
items such as syringes) over a given period.
Most animal care and management workplaces will include two major work areas:
 the administration area (with similar resource management issues to many other office
environments)
 the animal care and management area (where additional concerns relating to biosecurity,
maintenance of animal and environmental diversity are also to be considered). You will need
to assist learners in their identification of environmental resource issues to ensure they
include all relevant factors for their workplace.
Assessment Activity 3b: Measure resource use in the workplace
This activity will require careful preparation and assistance from the trainer to ensure successful
completion as there will be a range of workplace relevant experience and numeracy skills within the
learner group. It may be useful to visit a workplace first to complete a resource audit as a group
activity to discuss findings. The other challenge will be to provide real workplace audit opportunities
for learners who may not be currently working in the animal care industry. This activity could be
completed during a work placement with the cooperation of the employer.
Assessment Activity 4: Legislation
Assist learners to develop their research skills in regard to legislation.
Assessment Activity 5: More sustainable work practices
This assessment activity builds on assessment activity 3a and 3b
Assessment Activity 6: Sustainability improvements in the workplace
If learners are not currently in a workplace you could use work placement or a simulation activity to
complete this assessment, as long as it reflects a realistic animal care and management related
workplace.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
3.3 Example delivery plan
Topic 1: Environmental sustainability
At the end of this topic learners will be able to:
 Access and interpret a range of environment and/or sustainability issues relevant to daily responsibilities.
Assessment method/s:
 Participation in discussions.
 Participation in learning activities and group work.
 Completion of Assessment Activity.
Topic
Introduction
Method and content
-
-
Defining
sustainability
-
-
-
Resource/activity reference
Opening and Learner introductions
Course Structure and Assessment requirements
(Progressive Learning Record, and Activities)
Structure (this topic) and Assessment
requirements
-
Group discussion/ice breaker on learners current
understanding of environmental sustainability
concepts
Explore issues (global/local) raised
Group brainstorm on impact of each issue
Glossary builder, set up list and maintain
throughout unit work to define terminology used
in sustainable resource management
Watch videos and class discussion on other
sustainability issues raised
Read sustainability section of Learner Guide
Group brainstorm on impact of environmental
sustainability and resource management issues
on business
-
-
-
-
-
Closing
Learner version Unit of Competency
document
Assessment requirements and timing
Unit program/timetable
Learner Guide
Reference documents for RTO learner
requirements, RPL/RCC application
process and learner assistance
contacts
Whiteboard or other recording media
for summarising class ideas
Butchers’ paper and pens or other
recording media for group reporting
Data projector and internet
connection or other video relay
equipment
Remote learner communication
device (if required)
Assessment Activity 1: What do you
know about sustainability?
Videos: Sustainability explained
through animation and Working
towards sustainability
Assessment Activity 1 update
brainstorm activity and glossary
Recap and Content for next topic
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
Topic 2: Tools for sustainability
At the end of this topic learners will be able to:
 Identify and measure resource usage.
Assessment method/s:
 Participation in discussions.
 Participation in learning activities and group work.
 Completion of Assessment Activities.
Topic
Introduction
Defining and
identifying business
sustainability
practices
Ecological footprint
Method and content
-
-
Tools for
sustainability
-
Identifying and
measuring resource
use
-
Closing
-
-
Opening
Recap on previous topic areas and questions
Section 2 and 3 of Learner Guide - Issues related
to the impact on business
Types of improvements that can be undertaken
in your home and workplace to improve
sustainability
Class discussion
Read ecological footprint information
Class activity
Examples of ways of identifying and measuring
impact of resource use
Video and class discussion
Methods that can be used to minimise the
impact of resource use
Completion of Learning Activity 2
Site visit or guest speaker
To view/hear about the types of resources and
methods used to measure resource use
Class practice in calculating resource use e.g.:
o Counting disposables use
o Estimating volumes of water, power &
other utilities use
o Calculating km driven in vehicles
o Checking for pallet and other returnable
items not returned
o Listing chemical use
Recap - update glossary
Content for next session (any pre-work)
Due date for assessment activities reminder and
options for assistance
Resource or activity reference
-
-
-
-
-
Learning Activity 1: What is your
Ecological footprint?
Action Planner for Horses Properties
or similar reference
Learning Activity 2: Ways to Go Green
Video 10 Ways to Go Green
Hawkesbury City Council
Sustainability website
Assessment Activity 3a: Identify
resource use in the workplace
Assessment Activity 3b: Measure
resource use in the workplace
Learner Guide Glossary
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
Topic 3: Legislation
At the end of this topic learners will be able to:
 Access, interpret and comply with a range of environment and/or sustainability legislation and
procedural requirements relevant to daily responsibilities.
 Identify and report environmental hazards/risks in the workplace.
Assessment method/s:
 Participation in discussions.
 Participation in learning activities and group work.
 Completion of Assessment Activities.
Topic
Introduction
Method and content
-
Hazards associated
with workplace
resources, part one
-
Legislation,
regulation, codes of
practices & policy
statements
-
Non-compliance
-
Closing
-
Opening
Challenge oral quiz - review of previous
session
Definition of ecological footprint - examples
of industry footprint and resource use
Learner Guide Section 3 and 4
Research activity
Use references in the resource kit and other
sources to identify environmental hazards in
a range of animal care workplaces
Learner Guide Section 4
Research definitions: differences between
legislation, regulation, codes of practice
Brainstorm examples of how regulations
affect animal care workplaces after reading
section 5 content
Research legislation for Assessment Activity
4
Research for relevant legislation related to
animal care workplaces
Case study - Review case studies and discuss
consequences of non-compliance with
regulations
Look for relevant animal care examples in
addition to Learner Guide content
Recap - update glossary
Difference between legislation, regulation
and voluntary codes/policies
Assessment due date reminder, options for
assistance
Content for next session (any pre-work)
define the 4 R’s
Resource or activity reference
-
Assessment Activity 2 Chemicals in the
Workplace
-
Glossary
Assessment Activity 4: Legislation
Reference materials for legislation
-
Learning Activity 3: Non-compliance
Environmental protection participants
manual
-
Glossary
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
Topic 4: Sustainability improvements
At the end of this topic learners will be able to:
 Identify and report on current resource usage measurements and inefficiencies and suggest
opportunities for improvements.
 Follow organisation information to participate in and support an improved resource efficiency process
and report as required.
 Identify and report environmental hazards/risks in the workplace and suggest opportunities for
improvements.
Assessment method/s:
 Participation in discussions.
 Participation in learning activities and group work.
 Completion of Assessment Activities.
Topic
Introduction
Why make
improvements?
Method and Content
-
Health impacts, part
two
-
Investigating the
environmental
improvement
options
Reporting
sustainability
improvements or
breaches
-
Participating in
workplace
sustainability
practices
Closing
-
-
-
Opening
Recap on previous topic areas and questions
Group brainstorm
What are the advantages of improving resource use
efficiency?
Visit or on line view - ACF 60L Green building in
Melbourne. If not possible to visit here look for local
options or view online walk thru of ACF building
Research
Biosecurity issues with animal and human
interaction
Identify guidelines and procedures relevant to
workplace
Learner Guide section 5
Read content and group brainstorm to identify
potential resource use improvements relevant to
animal care workplaces
Role play
Learners to practice reporting verbally to workplace
supervisor
o resource use inefficiencies
o possible breaches in environmental
management regulations
Group discussion
Ways the learner can contribute to improving
workplace sustainability
Resource or Activity Reference
-
-
Learning Activity 4: Green
building tour
ACF 60L Green Building
resources on materials,
furnishings etc.
Learning Activity 5: Health
impacts of resource use
Zoo biosecurity manual
Qld Health infection control
guidelines
-
Assessment Activity 5: More
sustainable work practices
-
Learning Activity 6: Role play
-
Trainer to develop scenarios
relevant to workplace and job
responsibilities
-
Assessment Activity 6:
Sustainability improvements in
the workplace
Recap Sustainability principles
Assessment Activity 6 due date and options for
assistance to complete any outstanding activities or
parts of the workplace project
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
Evidence plan and record
RTO/Business
Unit of Competency
ACMSUS201A Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
Name of candidate
Performance criteria
Activity/evidence (from column 3 of Assessment
Summary Guide)
Method of
collecting
evidence
LEGEND:
K=written, O=observation, S=simulation, 3P=third party,
WD=document, P=portfolio, Other (specify)
Date
evidence
due
Outcome
C/NYC
Comments
Element 1: Identify current resource use
1.1 Workplace environmental and resource efficiency
issues are identified.
1.2 Resources used in own work role are identified.
1.3 Current usage of resources is measured and
documented using appropriate techniques.
1.4 Workplace environmental hazards are identified
and reported to appropriate personnel.
-
Assessment Activity 1
Assessment Activity 2 (K)
Assessment Activity 3a (P or S)
Assessment Activity 3b (O, P or S)
Assessment Activity 6: Sustainability
improvements in the workplace (O, 3P)
-
Assessment Activity 4 (O, 3P)
-
Assessment Activity 5 (O)
Element 2: Comply with environmental regulations
2.1 Procedures are followed to ensure compliance with
relevant environmental regulations.
2.2 Breaches or potential breaches of relevant
environmental regulations are reported to
appropriate personnel.
Element 3: Seek opportunities to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental hazards
3.1 Organisation plans to improve environmental
practices and resource efficiency are followed.
3.2 Suggestions are made for improvements to
workplace practices and resource efficiency.
-
Assessment Activity 6 (O, 3P)
-
Assessment Activity 3b (O, P or S)
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
I agree to the Evidence Plan and timeline
Name
Signature
Candidate
Employer
Mentor/Trainer
Assessor
Gaps in evidence requiring review:
The Learner Guide ACMSUS201A Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices contains a list
of references and web links.
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Trainer Guide
ACMSUS201A
Participate in environmentally sustainable
work practices
THIS IS THE FINAL PAGE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
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