This unit of competency, CPCCBC4014A: Prepare simple building sketches and drawings, specifies the outcomes required to produce simple building sketches and drawings. The unit supports the needs of a range of trades and professionals in the building industry who may use sketches and drawings in a variety of ways including:

Please note that to complete this unit you will need to have an understanding of how to read and interpret plans. This is covered in CPCCBC4012A: Read and interpret plans and specifications. We recommend you complete this unit first, prior to continuing with this Prepare simple building sketches and drawings resource.

This section lists the elements and performance criteria for this unit of competence.

Element 1 - Prepare to make sketches and drawings.

1.1 Types of drawings required and key features to be recorded are identified in compliance with the scope and standard of the job being undertaken.
1.2 OHS requirements on site are identified and followed.
1.3 Tools and equipment required for inspection and measurement and for producing drawings are gathered and checked for serviceability.

Element 2 - Create simple sketches and drawings.

2.1 Inspection of relevant area is carried out as required and measurements are taken and recorded.
2.2 Simple two and three-dimensional sketches and drawings are created using standard drawing conventions and incorporating relevant codes and standards.
2.3 Sectional drawings of simple structural elements are created using standard drawing conventions.

Element 3 - Notate and process drawings.

3.1 Essential information is recorded on the drawing with symbols and abbreviations according to standard drawing conventions.
3.2 Drawings are labelled, dated and processed according to organisational administration and quality procedures.

Learning Q & A

The way you choose to work through this resource will depend on the level of skills and knowledge you already have about building sketches and drawings. We recommend that you talk to your trainer before starting so you can consider your options and make sure you're setting off on the right track.

The information in this Learning section will help you make some decisions about what’s best for you. Listed below are some questions relating to this resource – click the question to open up the answer.

Is there a particular order I'm supposed to follow?

The four topics are listed from left to right in the following suggested order.

  1. Concept
  2. Sketch
  3. Design development
  4. Working drawings

That is a logical sequence for your learning, ie start with the Concept stage of the design process then work through sketching and design development and finally prepare the working drawings. We have sequenced the topics this way because this is the order they take place in the building and construction industry. Also, the skills and knowledge for each one builds upon and adds to what came before it. However, check with your trainer as a different sequence may be more suitable for your learning needs.

What's involved in each topic?

In each topic you will be presented with information and activities relating to that stage of the preparation of simple building sketches and drawings, finishing with a main task at the end of each topic. Content and resources are provided to help you with the tasks.

The work you complete in the task may form part of your competency assessment, so always check with your trainer for any special instructions or information that you need to know before starting.

What unit of competency does this resource cover?

This resource supports learning for one unit, CPCCBC4014A - Prepare simple building sketches and drawings from the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) – Builders’ Registration Pathway (CPC50210). Find out more about the unit elements and performance criteria here (DOC 129Kb).

Achievement of the full qualification requires the completion of additional units, which your trainer can tell you more about. However, completion of the tasks in this resource will cover core skills and knowledge towards achievement of your building and construction qualification.

What are the different options for my learning pathway?

You can choose to work through the topics in sequence, or just choose those that suit your learning requirements. Within each topic, you can choose to complete all segments or perhaps just the main task/s. If you're completing the main tasks within each topic, your options include:

  • complete the tasks without working through all of the content and resources
  • complete the tasks and engage with some of the supporting content and resources as required
  • complete the tasks and engage with all of the supporting content and resources.

If you think Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an option for you, please ask your trainer for more information about what RPL involves. More information about RPL is available from the Home page of this resource (click the RPL Pathway link).

The table below shows four example learner profiles – see which one most closely matches your own, and you can then look at the suggested learning pathway for that profile.

Learner profile

Experienced in building and construction, confident computer user, independent and self-directed.
Learner needs

This type of learner will most likely want to just get on with the task, and need very little support or guidance. They will be confident exploring the resource to find content, if and when they need it.

Suggested learning pathway

Go straight to the tasks and work through those. Investigate the Resources repository and explore other content and resources that are also relevant to the tasks, choose the bits needed to complete the work required. Depending on their experience level, it may be most appropriate to investigate eligibility for RPL.

Learner profile

Somewhat experienced in building and construction, confident computer user, a reasonably independent learner.
Learner needs

This learner type should try and work through the content and attendant tasks, engaging more with the content and resources in any areas that they're not sure about. They should be confident enough to explore the resources and find the content they need.

Suggested learning pathway

Go straight to the tasks and identify which part/s they can do on their own. Look through any relevant content and resource within the steps of the tasks where they need support and/or learning. Depending on their experience level, it may also be appropriate to investigate their eligibility for RPL.

Learner profile

Low-level experience in building and construction, confident computer user, requires a reasonable level of support and guidance through the learning process.
Learner needs

This learner type should be shown the tasks and activities, and encouraged to try and work through them 'up front', but it will most likely be more appropriate for them to go through the resource in a methodical step-by-step way, to ensure that they know how to carry out the processes and procedures required.

They will probably be confident in navigating the resource to find the information they need, but perhaps be more comfortable following the resource order as it is laid out.

Suggested learning pathway

Work through the tasks in a sequential fashion, engaging with all the content and resources that are provided within the steps of each one.

Learner profile

Low-level experience in building and construction, not confident computer user.
Learner needs

This learner type will need a high level of guidance and support, at least for the first few tasks they complete.

Suggested learning pathway

Work through the tasks and activities in detail, to get confidence in engaging with the resources and content provided. Once their first task(s) have been successfully completed, their confidence grows and they begin to build up their skills, knowledge and understanding, the level of support and guidance required should be less.

You really can't go wrong, whichever option you choose. Just remember to always keep in touch with your trainer, to ensure that you're completing the amount and level of work needed to satisfy the requirements for achieving the standard for competency.

There are a number of generic skills, capabilities and enabling skills (sometimes referred to as 'soft skills') that have been identified by employers as being important for career success. These are often known as employability skills.

Assessment of these employability skills will be integrated into the overall assessment for each unit of competency. In other words, you will not be assessed on these skills individually.

Note: Due to the high proportion of electives required by this qualification, the employability skills listed below are representative of the building and construction industry in general and may not reflect specific job roles. Learning and assessment strategies for this qualification should be based on the requirements of the units of competency for this qualification.

The eight employability skills that will be assessed for RPL in this unit are discussed below. Clicking on each of the skills will reveal more detail about each skill and the industry requirements for this qualification.

Communication

  • analyses, evaluates and interprets a range of complex and technical documents, including relevant regulatory, legislative, licensing requirements, codes and standards, plans, drawings and specifications, contracts, reports, reference materials, building approvals, awards and workplace agreements
  • maintains and reports records and information
  • understands relevant definitions, terminology, symbols and language
  • communicates effectively with a range of relevant parties and provides expert testimony
  • establishes site communication procedures
  • prepares complex business documents, including project expenditure schedules and reports, such as technical and legal reports, drawings and project briefs
  • advises others regarding their obligations as well as company procedures
  • negotiates dispute resolution
  • sketches service layouts
  • implements feedback systems.

Teamwork

  • demonstrates leadership within work teams and business units
  • collaboratively and effectively develops and implements operational plans
  • supervises work processes and systems, and delegates to others as required
  • works with others to overcome problems and achieve outcomes
  • establishes and maintains effective working relationships
  • seeks advice from senior management as required
  • works collaboratively with relevant stakeholders
  • relates to people from diverse social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Problem solving

  • analyses construction, environmental management, and energy conservation problems and applies appropriate and compliant remedial solutions
  • assesses structural integrity of medium rise buildings
  • ensures processes that identify faults and required remedial action
  • develops strategies to address project delays
  • performs various complex calculations relating to cost-benefit analysis, rise and fall amounts, pessimistic overdraft requirements, statistical analysis, costs, set out of construction work, structural analysis and service installations
  • analyses reasons for cost variations and takes remedial action
  • establishes and implements dispute resolution procedures
  • maintains site safety and manages risks
  • provides advice on dispute resolution
  • uses and analyses data in decision making.

Initiative and enterprise

  • develops and initiates strategies to use resources effectively
  • ensures effective systems development
  • implements effective project quality management and continuous improvement processes
  • recommends improvements to environmental management and energy conservation plans
  • develops strategies that maximise resource effectiveness
  • develops and reviews workplace sustainability policy.

Planning and organising

  • supervises planning processes and organisation of on-site building or construction work projects, including instituting procedures and systems
  • develops sound and safe practices in relation to structural procedures on site
  • coordinates and manages construction and demolition processes
  • monitors building or construction costing systems
  • manages preparation of project expenditure schedules
  • supervises materials' procurement systems
  • manages selection, engagement and performance of building and construction contractors
  • administers legal obligations of building or construction contracts
  • establishes construction work policies, practices and procedures
  • prepares and implements environmental management and energy conservation plans, including workplace sustainability policy
  • advises and coordinates design process and obtains planning approval.

Self-management

  • manages own performance to ensure required levels of service standards, work quality and professional competence
  • manages work priorities and professional development
  • uses feedback to improve own performance
  • takes responsibility as required by the work role
  • uses discretion and judgement when required in complex environments
  • deals with contingencies.

Learning

  • is open to new ideas and techniques
  • seeks feedback on personal performance
  • uses information effectively to improve work performance
  • learns from colleagues as part of effective teamwork
  • manages induction and pre-engagement training processes.

Technology

  • operates office equipment
  • uses computer equipment and relevant software
  • understands building construction materials and technologies
  • understands construction equipment and its use
  • operates and tests levelling equipment
  • uses technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness of managing work.

This resource has been designed as a learning resource rather than an assessment resource or tool; however the tasks it contains can definitely be used as part of a competency-based assessment program.

As you work through each of the four topics, you'll be completing tasks. Your trainer may ask to see the work you complete, so that they can provide you with feedback on how you're going. Additionally, that work could be used as evidence towards your assessment of competency for the unit. Your trainer will give you instructions on exactly what they want you to do in relation to sending work in, or keeping it in a portfolio.

It's important to understand that the work you do in this resource may not meet all the requirements for a demonstration of competency that will meet the standards for the qualification you're working towards. Your trainer and/or assessor will most likely want to combine some or all of these tasks with other assessment tasks, but they should tell you all about this before you commence your studies.

You should also be aware that completion of the 'main' tasks in each topic will not necessarily cover all of the skills and knowledge within the unit of competency, as it's not always possible to cover every detail of a unit. Therefore your trainer may ask you to complete additional tasks or activities. However, if you complete all the main tasks you will build up a substantial portfolio of evidence (ie work you have completed) that would definitely be useful when assessment time comes around.

Assessment requirements

The assessment requirements provided in the training package for this unit state that to demonstrate competency in this unit you will need to be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

  • produce clear and effective drawings and sketches with appropriate notations and labelling
  • apply appropriate techniques for making inspections and taking measurements
  • make good incursion into the fabric of a building
  • comply with OHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
  • apply organisational quality procedures and processes
  • select and use appropriate processes, tools and equipment.