Unit of competency details

Release 

Comments 

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Editorial corrections. Competency field added.

1

Initial release.

Element 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Consult with clients.

1.1. Obtain event  information, including dress styles and colours from participants.

1.2. Convey appropriate information regarding workplace specialised services and pricing structure to clients .

1.3. Review  and discuss alternative finished hair designs .

1.4. Confirm hair style concepts appropriate to the event that complement facial features, bone structure and meet client requirements.

1.5. Arrange trialling and adjustment of hair designs where required.

2. Advise on additional services.

2.1. Promote additional available services  and after service maintenance products  and confirm with clients.

2.2. Coordinate referrals to other professionals for services unavailable  in the salon.

2.3. Schedule agreed services leading up to events.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• develop a rapport with clients
• interact with and engage clients in discussion regarding the event
• use open-ended questions to establish client needs
• listen and interpret verbal clues from clients regarding their hair, including:

• objectives
• problems
• challenges

• suggest services and products from the salon range
• offer referrals to other professionals

• numeracy skills to:

• predict timeframes for services
• calculate service and product costs for clients

• research skills to source a network of referral contacts for services unavailable in the salon
• technical skills to:

• analyse client's hair design, colour and condition
• recognise, recommend and plan the provision of suitable hair designs and other services from the salon range

Required knowledge 

• elements and principles of design
• all available salon services
• salon professional products range
• salon home care products range
• current and classic hair colour and design looks
• the price structure for the planned services
• a network of contacts for services that may be referred to other professionals

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• engaging with clients and establishing relevant event details and service requirements
• applying research, planning and design skills to identify colour and design outcomes that meet client needs and are appropriate to particular events
• developing, confirming and scheduling a service plan leading up to special events
• co-ordinating referral for services offered by other professionals.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure access to:

• a salon or a simulated salon environment that includes a range of work situations such as client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the salon
• a fully equipped salon which includes as a minimum:

• a fully functional client reception area
• workstations suitable for the conduct of client consultation

• access to a broad range of hairdressing services, including:

• hair design
• haircutting
• hair colouring
• hair lightening
• chemical reformation
• chemical relaxation
• hair and scalp treatments

• a retail product range
• relevant documentation, such as:

• hair magazines
• fashion magazines
• a photographic portfolio
• product colour charts

• clients seeking services for a variety of special events.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate:

• consulting with clients
• reviewing and recommending finished hair designs
• recommending and scheduling services

• written or verbal questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test knowledge which may include:

• the range of services offered by the salon
• the range of products offered by the salon

• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on-the-job performance.

Guidance information for assessment 

A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is prerequisite to another— they are related skills.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended, for example:

• SIHHCCS302A Perform a full client consultation
• SIHHIND303A Coordinate clients and services

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Event  may include:

• weddings
• debutante balls
• fancy dress balls
• parties
• other formal events.

Clients  may include:

• women
• men
• children
• people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• new or regular clients with routine or special needs.

Finished hair designs  may be reviewed  by:

• discussion
• hair and fashion magazines
• photographic portfolios.

Additional available services  may include:

• haircutting
• hair colouring
• hair lightening
• chemical reformation
• chemical relaxation
• hair treatments
• scalp treatments
• make-up design and application
• manicure services
• fitting hair pieces.

After service maintenance products  may include:

• sprays
• waxes
• pins.

Services unavailable  in the salon may include:

• facials
• hair removal
• spray tanning
• make-up design and application
• manicure services.