Course Title: Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: EASC5040C

Course Title: Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4340 - Certificate IV in Frontline Management

Course Contact : Sylvia Baroutis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5469

Course Contact Email:sylvia.baroutis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Seymour Jacobson

Tel: 9925 1563

Email: seymour.jacobson@rmit.edu.au

Student contact times: Tuesday 8.30-9.30

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to effectively analyse the workplace in relation to environmentally sustainable work practices and to implement improvements and monitor their effectiveness.

This unit requires the ability to access industry information, applicable legislative and occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBSUS301A Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

Element:

1. Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise
1.2 Analyse procedures for assessing compliance with
environmental/sustainability regulations
1.3 Collect information on environmental and resource efficiency
systems and procedures, and provide to the work group where
appropriate
1.4 Collect, analyse and organise information from a range of
sources to provide information/advice and tools/resources for
improvement opportunities
1.5 Measure and document current resource usage of members of
the work group
1.6 Analyse and document current purchasing strategies
1.7 Analyse current work processes to access information and
data to assist in identifying areas for improvement

Element:

2. Set targets for improvements

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialists
2.2 Access external sources of information and data as required
2.3 Evaluate alternative solutions to workplace environmental
issues
2.4 Set efficiency targets

Element:

3. Implement performance improvement strategies

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Source and use appropriate techniques and tools to assist in
achieving efficiency targets
3.2 Apply continuous improvement strategies to own work area
of responsibility, including ideas and possible solutions to
communicate to the work group and management
3.3 Implement and integrate environmental and resource
efficiency improvement plans for own work group with other
operational activities
3.4 Supervise and support team members to identify possible
areas for improved practices and resource efficiency in work area
3.5 Seek suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource
efficiency management from stakeholders and act upon where
appropriate
3.6 Implement costing strategies to fully utilise environmental
assets

Element:

4. Monitor performance

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Use and/or develop evaluation and monitoring, tools and
technology
4.2 Document and communicate outcomes to report on efficiency targets to key personnel and stakeholders
4.3 Evaluate strategies and improvement plans
4.4 Set new efficiency targets, and investigate and apply new
tools and strategies
4.5 Promote successful strategies and reward participants where
possible


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students should attend all classes to study and complete activities. Attendance is mandatory for all in-class assessments.  The class activities provide an opportunity to develop skills and apply theory to real life situations. The learning activities may include:
• Case studies and project work
• Collaborative classroom activities and team activities
• Peer interaction, reflection and discussion
• Games and simulations
• Reading the text book and accessing materials on Learning Hub 

 Induction Session
Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

• Program overview and requirements
• MyRMIT/Blackboard
• Overview of assessment requirements
• Pre-Training Review including:
o Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
o Assessment of current skills and knowledge
• Competency/Grading Criteria
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities
 


Teaching Schedule

Week Number and Date                            Elements and Performance Criteria Content and Assessments
1. 6 July  Introduction to the Course including:
• Course requirements
• Course support documents
• Course Blackboard access
• Accuracy of enrolment
• Assessment requirements/Cover Sheets
• Reminder re Plagiarism
• Reminder re Appeals
• Extensions/Resubmissions
• Feedback in this course
• Reminder re submission requirements
• Getting help
 
Assessment TASK 1 - Sustainability Portfolio
Progressive submission in the weeks indicated for teacher feedback and assessment.
2. 13 July

The triple bottom line and the ecological footprint

 Portfolio
3. 20 July

Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage Collect relevant information for the workgroup


 Portfolio

4. 27 July

Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage Collect relevant information for the workgroup

 Portfolio

5. 3 August

Research for sustainability report and draft report template using MS Word

 

Portfolio

6. 10 August

ONLINE CLASS - NO FACE TO FACE CLASS    

Measuring resource usage and purchasing strategies

ONLINE CLASS - NO FACE TO FACE CLASS
Portfolio

7. 17 August

Resources defined                                                                 Industry examples

 Portfolio

8. 24 August

Set targets for improvement
External sources of information and data
Evaluate alternative solutions

 

 Portfolio

Assessment Task 1 Upload Portfolio

31 August-6 September Mid-semester break      31 August-6 September inclusive  

 

9. 7 September

Set targets for improvement
External sources of information and data
Evaluate alternative solutions
Set efficiency targets

 Work on Switch-off campaign
10. 14 September

Implement performance management strategies
Techniques and tools
Continuous improvement strategies
Environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans
Supervise team members


Work on Switch-off campaign

11. 21 September  


Work on Switch-off campaign
 

12. 28 September

ONLINE CLASS - NO FACE TO FACE CLASS

Implement performance management strategies
Seek suggestions for improvements
Costing strategies

ONLINE CLASS - NO FACE TO FACE CLASS
 Work on Switch-off campaign

13. 5 October

Monitor performance
Tools and technology for evaluation and monitoring
Communicating outcomes

 Work on Switch-off campaign

13. 12 October

Monitor performance
Evaluate performance
New targets, tools and strategies
Promote successful strategies

 Work on Switch-off campaign

14. 19 October

Finalise report and portfolio

 Work on Switch-off campaign
15. 26 October

Finalise report and portfolio

 

Assessment TASK 2 - Switch-off campaign Report Due (perfect finished version

16. 2 November Interviews/Re-submissions if required  
17. 9 November Interviews/Re-submissions if required  

NOTE : This schedule may be varied due to unforeseen circumstances but students will not be disadvantaged as a result


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Cole, K  2013  Management: theory & practice, Pearson Australia

9781442550681

Griffith, S and Jones, L (eds) 2009  Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices, Software Publications Pty Ltd, Sydney.

1-74123-950-8

Dwyer, J 2012 The Business Communication Handbook 9 ed, Pearson, Australia.

9781442546738


References


Other Resources

1. RMIT Library
2. Handouts and exercises will be given in class as appropriate
3. myRMIT Blackboard
4. The Learning Lab is a learning and study skills site developed by the Learning Skills Unit offering online interactive tutorials, printable handouts and an email Learning Query service. The site is helps students develop capabilities for tertiary study. http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work based or course activities.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.  Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.


Assessment Tasks

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:

  •  knowledge of relevant compliance requirements within work area
  •  developing plans to make improvements
  •  planning and organising work group activities in relation to measuring current use and devising strategies to improve usage
  •  monitoring resource use and improvements for environmental performance relative to work area and supervision
  •  ensuring appropriate action is taken within work area in relation to environmental/sustainability compliance and potential hazards
  •      implementing new approaches to work area in an effort to resolve and improve environmental and resource efficiency issues and reporting as required.

Assessment Overview

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities. The assessments will take place in the classroom and online.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.

Assessment Tasks
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit (BSBSUS301A/EASC5040C Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices)
• knowledge of relevant compliance requirements within work area
• developing plans to make improvements
• planning and organising work group activities in relation to measuring current use and devising strategies to improve usage
• monitoring resource use and improvements for environmental performance relative to work area and supervision
• ensuring appropriate action is taken within work area in relation to environmental/sustainability compliance and potential hazards
• implementing new approaches to work area in an effort to resolve and improve environmental and resource efficiency issues and reporting as required


Assessment

There are two assessment tasks for this unit

Assessment TASK 1 - Portfolio of evidence

Assessment TASK 2 - Case study - Switch-off Campaign Due Week 15 Students will study the City Switch initiative as an "employee" of an organisation which makes recommendations to home owners about making energy efficiency changes/or other sustainability changes to their homes.

Submission Requirements

You should:

Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10 unless instructed otherwise in the Assessment Record and Cover Sheet instructions.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates even when work is submitted progressively in the form of a weekly journal/learning activities.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.


Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table:


CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

 


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview