Unit of competency details

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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. Plan layered haircut structures.

1.1. Produce a haircut plan  to represent the haircut structure.

1.2. Select appropriate tools  and layered cutting techniques  to achieve planned haircut finish.

2. Apply layering techniques.

2.1. Establish design and guide lines , according to the haircut plan.

2.2. Adjust position of client’s  head and neck to achieve desired layering structures.

2.3. Maintain evenly wet or dry hair and apply even tension.

2.4. Take clean sections or partings and maintain appropriate lift and distribution throughout the haircut according to the haircut plan.

2.5. Apply hands and scissors parallel to base parting to achieve uniform layering where planned.

2.6. Apply hands and scissors parallel or non-parallel to base parting to achieve increased layering where planned.

2.7. Position cutting hand with the palm toward or away, up or down as a matter of operator comfort related to the length of hair, the line being cut and the area of the head being cut.

3. Select and apply finishing techniques.

3.1. Select appropriate finishing tools  and techniques to achieve planned haircut finish.

3.2. Apply appropriate finishing techniques  for layered haircut structures.

3.3. Dispose of waste, according to salon procedures .

3.4. Clean or dispose of equipment, according to health regulations and salon procedures.

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

Required skills 

• technical skills to:

• develop a haircut plan
• section hair
• apply even tension when manipulating haircutting tools and combs to produce layering
• maintain appropriate lift and distribution
• manipulate cutting hand, scissors and comb
• manipulate finishing tools and equipment

• numeracy skills to:

• calculate exterior and interior lengths in the haircut structure
• interpret angles and lines in the haircut structure

• literacy skills to interpret and follow salon procedures

Required knowledge 

• the natural distribution and growth patterns of hair
• the relationship between quality of hair and the finished result
• degrees of lift to create layering
• the relationship between sectioning or parting patterns and the finished result
• different layered shapes
• soft and hard lines
• design guide lines used in layered haircut structures
• salon procedures, including:

• compliance with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
• environmental protection practices, such as waste disposal

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:

• selecting tools and layering techniques appropriate to the planned layered finish
• applying the cutting hand and holding and applying haircutting tools to create layered designs
• parting the hair with clean sections and partings throughout the haircut
• applying hands and cutting tools parallel to base parting to achieve uniform layering
• applying hands and cutting tools parallel and non-parallel to base parting to achieve increased layering
• positioning the head and neck and making any necessary adjustments during service to achieve planned layering effects
• maintaining the hair evenly wet or dry and applying even tension
• achieving layered haircuts
• applying finishing techniques for layered haircuts.

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
• an adjustable client chair
• clean client gown or wrap
• haircutting tools and equipment
• a range of clients for haircuts with layered structures
• finishing tools and equipment
• relevant documentation, including:

• cutting plans
• salon procedures.

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:

• observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks include:

• developing plans for layered haircut structures
• applying layered haircut techniques
• applying finishing techniques to layered haircuts

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

• elements and principles of design
• geometric principles related to angles and shapes

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

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 pre-requisite to another— they are related skills.

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

• SIHHIND201A Maintain and organise tools, equipment and work areas
• SIHHOHS201A Apply salon safety procedures

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.

Haircut plan  must include:

• soft and hard interior and exterior design and guide lines
• distribution of hair for each section where layering is planned
• stationary and mobile guide lines for layered sections of the haircut
• structural graphic for the haircut plan, illustrated by drawing lines at 90 degrees to the curve of the head
• simple line drawing representing the finished haircut.

Appropriate tools  may include:

• appropriate combs
• haircutting scissors
• texturising scissors
• razors
• chisels
• clippers.

Layered cutting techniques  may include:

• blunt cutting
• razor bevelling, arching and rotation
• notching
• pointing
• slicing
• end tapering with texturising scissors
• strand tapering with texturising scissors.

Design and guide lines  may include:

• increased layering:

• single stationary design line
• multiple stationary design lines

• uniform layer, including mobile design lines.

Client  may include:

• women
• men
• children
• people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Finishing tools  may include:

• blow dryer
• Denman style brushes
• vent style brushes
• round brushes
• thermal irons.

Finishing techniques  may include:

• blow drying with brushes
• setting and comb up
• thermal setting.

Salon procedures  must include:

• procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health regulations relevant to the service
• occupational health and safety
• environmental protection practices, such as waste disposal.