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 one length or solid haircut structures.

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

1.2. Select tools to achieve planned haircut.

2. Apply solid form techniques.

2.1. Establish form and design line on the skin or free fall to match the haircut plan.

2.2. Maintain clean sections with no tangle and minimum lift and natural fall of hair throughout the haircut.

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

2.4. Adjust and position the client’s  neck and head to achieve solid form.

2.5. Apply hands and cutting tool  parallel to parting lines.

2.6. Position cutting hand with palm up or down according to operator comfort, length of hair, line being cut and the area of the head.

2.7. Place comb parallel to the design line and position scissors parallel to the comb when necessary.

2.8. Check finished haircut for solid line and rectify where required.

3. Select and apply drying techniques.

3.1. Select the appropriate finishing tools and equipment .

3.2. Apply appropriate finishing techniques  for solid haircut structures to achieve planned haircut finish.

3.3. Dispose of haircut 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
• comb hair for minimum stretch
• manipulate haircutting tools and combs to produce solid form
• 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 

• natural distribution and growth patterns of hair
• relationship between the quality of hair and the finished result
• relationship between sectioning or parting patterns and the finished result
• reasons for natural fall and no lift
• outline shapes of one length or solid haircuts
• structure of one length or solid haircuts
• texture of one length or solid haircuts
• relationship between the position of the head and the finished haircut result
• definition of design or weight line
• definition of stationary design line

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:

• holding and applying scissors, clippers or razors to create solid lines
• parting the hair with clean sections and partings throughout the haircut
• establishing one length or solid haircut lines on the skin or free fall to match the plan
• applying hands, scissors and clippers to base partings in a parallel manner
• adjusting the position of the client’s head and neck during the haircut service for minimum lift and natural fall of hair in order to achieve solid form
• maintaining the hair evenly wet or dry and applying minimum tension in order to achieve solid form
• achieving one length or solid haircut
• applying finishing techniques for one length or solid 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 one length or solid form 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:

• developing plans for one length or solid haircut structures
• applying one length or solid haircut techniques
• applying finishing techniques to one length or solid 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:

• structural graphics to include:

• outline shape of finished haircut
• directions of design lines
• sectioning patterns
• parting patterns.

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.

Cutting tool  may include:

• scissors:

• smooth
• serrated edges

• appropriate combs
• clippers
• razors:

• disposable blade
• straight blade.

Finishing tools and equipment  may include:

• styling products
• blow dryer
• Denman style brushes
• round brush
• thermal irons.

Finishing techniques  may include:

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

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 minimisation, waste disposal and water efficiency.