RTE31903 Certificate III in Rural Operations

Specialising in Irrigation and Horticulture/ Viticulture

Comprising units from Certificate III and IV in Irrigation and Certificate III and IV in Production Horticulture.

This qualification is delivered via on and/or off the job training program.  Through a combination of face-to-face trainer led theory classes and practical sessions involving small group and individual activities.

Participants are provided with training manuals for each module, which include all the materials used in the training session, assessment materials and reference materials.

Evidence gathering techniques include demonstration of skills in the workplace, written tests during off the job training, questioning during classes and workplace visits by assessors.

A total of 16 units of competency must be completed

Group A (Compulsory Unit)

RTE3713A Carry out workplace OHS procedures
This competency standard covers the process of carrying out enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures. The unit is also concerned with OHS responsibilities of employees with supervisory responsibilities. It requires the ability to work in accordance with workplace procedures in hazard identification and risk control, carry out safe practices during work operations, and participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people in the workplace. Carrying out OHS policies and procedures requires knowledge of employee and employer responsibilities under the OHS Act, enterprise procedures relating to hazards, fires, emergencies, accidents and risk control, and OHS signs and symbols relevant to area of work.

Group B - This group includes units of competency aligned to Certificate III. Comprising units from Certificate III and IV in Irrigation and Certificate III and IV in Production of Horticulture.

RTE3605A Troubleshoot irrigation system
This competency standard covers the process of troubleshooting faults and blockages in irrigation systems. It requires the ability to read and apply system specifications, technical manuals and supply/spare parts inventories, operate, maintain and repair irrigation systems, and record and report maintenance activities. Troubleshooting faults and blockages in irrigation systems requires knowledge of characteristics and operation of replaceable components of irrigation systems, system malfunctions and their likely causes, isolation procedures and OHS and environmental guidelines.
RTE3606A Measure drainage systems performance
This competency standard covers the process of measuring the performance and efficiency of a drainage system. This includes identifying and correcting system problems, measuring, recording and reporting soil moisture, salinity and water table depth to determine system performance and efficiency. It requires the ability to apply measuring and testing techniques, record and report system performance, use computers for recording and reporting drainage system data and implement and follow relevant enterprise OHS and environmental policies and procedures. Measuring drainage system performance requires knowledge of measuring and monitoring procedures for factors contributing to drainage system performance, water table and salinity measures, water quality monitoring methods and techniques, soil moisture measurement procedures and water authority standards and procedures.
RTE3607A Measure irrigation delivery system performance
This competency standard covers the process of measuring pressures, flows and distribution uniformity of an irrigation system. It requires the ability to record and report system performance, calculate pressure differentials, flow rates, plant/crop yields, estimated water usage/actual water usage and apply measuring and testing techniques. Measuring irrigation delivery system performance requires knowledge of soil water retention testing techniques, measuring and monitoring procedures for factors contributing to irrigation system delivery, and water authority standards and procedures.
RTE3608A Monitor and operate water treatment processes
This competency standard covers the process of monitoring, operating, measuring, adjusting and reporting under limited supervision, water (including waste water) treatment performance and process control. It requires the ability to identify control system faults, use water sampling and testing techniques, prepare and apply chemical dosing, and record data. Monitoring and operating water treatment processes requires knowledge of water treatment and water filtration techniques, water quality monitoring methods and techniques, chemical dosing processes, and OHS procedures relating to the operation of machinery and the use of chemicals.
RTE3609A Operate fertigation equipment
This competency standard covers the process of operating fertigation equipment to deliver fertilisers via the irrigation system. It requires the ability to includes calculating and preparing fertigation materials, connecting, calibrating and operating the equipment, and monitoring and adjusting the delivery of fertilisers. Shut down, cleaning of equipment and disposal of waste are also included. Operating fertigation equipment requires knowledge of injection equipment, chemical handling procedures, cleaning procedures, environmental impacts of delivering fertilisers via the irrigation system, and OHS issues.
RTE3611A Operate pressurised irrigation systems
This competency standard covers the process of operating pressurised irrigation systems including the use of pre-start checks, start-up, operation and inspection of the system, and shut down in response to irrigation indicators. It requires the ability to read and follow operations manual and irrigation schedules, measure and interpret flow rates and pressures, identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and take appropriate remedial action, and implement and follow relevant OHS and environmental policies and procedures. Operating pressurised irrigation systems requires knowledge of main components of pressurised irrigation systems, pump types and their operation, environmental impacts of irrigation, soil/plant/water relationships, and water requirements of plants/crops.
RTE3612A Implement a maintenance program for an irrigation system
This competency standard covers the process of implementing a maintenance program for an irrigation system. It requires the ability to interpret an irrigation maintenance program, inspect irrigation system, record and report maintenance activities, test irrigation equipment, record results, undertake minor repairs of equipment, and dispose of unused or waste materials from site in an environmental safe sensitive manner. Implementing a maintenance program for an irrigation system requires knowledge of soil/plant/water relationships, environmental impacts of irrigation, irrigation system components, common operational and maintenance problems, and environmentally safe disposal procedures.
RTE3714A  Maintain and monitor environmental work practices
This competency standard covers the process of maintaining and monitoring positive environmental work practices. It requires the ability to recognise basic environmental hazards and threats. It includes the ability to follow and give workplace directions and instructions by communicating accurately with supervisors and workplace colleagues, and to keep records. Maintaining and monitoring environmental work practices requires awareness of, and an ability to implement relevant environmental legislation, policies and workplace/industry practices. Effective methods of improving environmental performance and environmental issues especially in regard to water catchments, air, noise, ecosystems, habitat, efficient use of resources, sustainability and waste minimisation, are also necessary.
RTC3704A Prepare and apply chemicals
Prepare and apply chemicals
RTC3705A Transport, handle and store chemicals
Transport, handle and store chemicals
RTF3503A Sample soils and analyse results
This competency standard covers the process of carrying out soil sampling and interpreting the results as a foundation for further horticultural operations such as nutrition programs and irrigation scheduling.Carrying out soil sampling is likely to be under limited supervision from others and with checking only related to overall progress. Soil sampling at this level requires the application of horticultural knowledge and a range of horticultural skills. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of sites, equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.
RTE4511A Develop a soil use map for a property
This competency standard covers the process of determining soil characteristics and developing soil maps to illustrate the characteristics of a property in order to identify any areas of concern, and to assist in making decisions about plants/crops, irrigation and drainage. This is usually without supervision but with general guidance on progress. It requires knowledge of soil testing, the environmental impact of irrigating and the ability to use soil and water testing techniques. The outcomes of this process will inform decisions relating to whole farm planning.
RTE4605A Schedule irrigations
This competency standard covers the process of determining the timing and amount of each irrigation to meet crop or plant needs and environmental requirements. It requires the ability to use and maintain in-field equipment that monitors the plant environment, incorporate data from monitoring sources into scheduling systems, monitor crop/plant water use, assess efficacy of irrigation, record irrigation and scheduling parameters, and plan for extremes of weather. Scheduling irrigation requires knowledge of inter-relationship between plant, soil and the aerial environments in the determination of water budgets, plant responses to moisture stress, possible adverse impacts on the crop and environment from inefficient scheduling or unpredictable weather effects, recognition of moisture stress effects, physical soil characteristics, and weather forecasting.
RTE4609A Implement, monitor and adjust irrigation schedules
 This competency standard covers the process of implementing watering shifts, monitoring factors that influence water requirements and adjusting the irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in those factors, without supervision but with general guidance on progress. It requires the ability to use enterprise monitoring equipment, access irrigation data, plot and read graphic data, measure and interpret environmental data, estimate water availability for plants/crops, and read and apply map data to property features. Implementing, monitoring and adjusting irrigation schedules requires a knowledge of crop and plant health, weather patterns, irrigation monitoring procedures, soil water retention testing techniques, monitoring irrigation surface runoff and infiltration due to soil type and terrain, water quality monitoring methods and techniques, and water authority standards and procedures.
RTE4602A Determine hydraulic parameters for an irrigation system
This competency standard covers the process of determining hydraulic parameters for an irrigation system without supervision, but with general guidance on progress. It includes confirmation of water delivery requirements, determining the pressures needed to deliver a required amount of water over a specified area, determining pressure losses through the system, and selecting system components for efficient water delivery. The unit does not deal with soil/plant/water relationships, as this is dealt with in relevant horticulture and crop production competency units. 
RTC3404A Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
RTE3030A Harvest horticultural crops mechanically
This competency standard covers the process of harvesting horticultural crops. It includes preparing machinery and equipment, harvesting, cleaning and maintaining machinery and equipment, and completing workplace records. Harvesting is likely to be under limited supervision. Overall progress may be checked periodically and will usually follow set routines, methods and procedures. Some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, and services. The outcomes should be achieved within specified timelines.
RTF3012A Implement a plant nutrition program
This competency standard covers the process of implementing a plant nutrition program in the horticultural or agricultural industry.Implementing a plant nutrition program is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work is usually done within a program, routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.
RTE4002A Develop a crop regulation program
This competency standard covers the process of developing a crop regulation program to control the yield and quality of horticultural crops. Developing a crop regulation program requires assessing and selecting cost effective techniques, resources and equipment for the regulation of horticultural crops, and preparing implementation plans, specifications and associated documents to achieve the crop production targets specified in the enterprise production plan. Developing a crop regulation program is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress sought by managers. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others involved in the program may be required. Developing a crop regulation program requires a broad range of skills and underpinning knowledge with depth in some areas, such as pruning and plant nutrition requirements.
RTE4604 Determine seasonal irrigation scheduling tasks
This competency standard covers the process of implementing watering shifts, monitoring factors that influence water requirements and adjusting the irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in those factors, without supervision but with general guidance on progress. It requires the ability to use enterprise monitoring equipment, access irrigation data, plot and read graphic data, measure and interpret environmental data, estimate water availability for plants/crops, and read and apply map data to property features. Implementing monitoring and adjusting irrigation schedules requires a knowledge of crop and plant health, weather patterns, irrigation monitoring procedures, soil water retention testing techniques, monitoring irrigation surface runoff and infiltration due to soil type and terrain, water quality monitoring methods and techniques, and water authority standards and procedures.
RTE4915A Implement and monitor quality assurance procedures
This competency standard covers the process of implementing and monitoring quality assurance procedures in an agricultural or horticultural enterprise. It requires the ability to establish quality specifications for products, identify hazards and critical control points in production, and assist in planning and implementation of quality assurance procedures. Implementing and monitoring quality assurance procedures requires knowledge of market requirements for products, enterprise and industry quality assurance systems, HACCP techniques, strategies for control of hazards, work place training strategies, delegation and empowerment, and contingency management.
RTF4004A Develop a plant nutrition program
This competency standard covers the process of developing a plant nutrition program in the horticultural or agricultural industry. Planning requires consideration of site factors, plant species requirements, soil and plant tissue analysis, nutrient application procedures, and monitoring OHS hazards and environmental impacts. Developing a plant nutrition program is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress by managers. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others involved in the program may be required. Developing a plant nutrition program requires a broad range of skills and involves the application of extensive knowledge including plant biology, plant nutrition requirements, and soil and other growing media properties.

Group C
This group includes other units of competency from:

  • RTD02   Conservation and Land Management
  • RTE03    Rural Production
  • RTF03   Amenity Horticulture and/or other endorsed Training Packages

Units selected must be aligned to Certificate II, III or IV outcomes. These units must be relevant to work undertaken in the rural sector. Units selected as part of Group C may be selected from no more than three different training packages.

For further information contact Ashley Lipman, Citrus/Wine Grape Industry Development Consultant 
Tel: 08 8595 9100
E-Mail: lipman.ashley@saugov.sa.gov.au