Unit of competency details

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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 the haircut.

1.1. Review and discuss desired haircut designs to confirm client  expectations.

1.2. Establish natural hair type , texture , growth patterns , fall and movement  by physical and visual examination.

1.3. Identify facial features and bone structure.

1.4. Suggest and confirm haircut design  concepts that reflect the analysis, complement facial features, bone structure and meet client expectations.

2. Apply cutting techniques.

2.1. Select haircutting tools  and cutting techniques  to achieve planned haircut results.

2.2. Cut external design lines, direction of design lines  and internal design or guide lines according to the haircut plan.

2.3. Adjust the position of head and neck during the service for desired access and required angles of lift.

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

2.5. Maintain clean sections and appropriate lift and distribution of hair throughout the service, according to the haircut plan.

2.6. Combine or blend haircut structures  where appropriate to complete the planned haircut within salon service timeframe.

2.7. Maintain client comfort, safety and hygiene throughout the haircut according to relevant health regulations and salon procedures .

3. Select and apply finishing techniques.

3.1. Select finishing tools  to achieve planned haircut.

3.2. Apply the appropriate finishing techniques  according to the finished hair design and agreed outcomes within salon service timeframe.

3.3. Review service outcomes and confirm client satisfaction with the haircut result.

3.4. Advise on home hair care products , according to client needs.

3.5. Update client records with details of service and home care products purchased.

3.6. Dispose of haircut waste, according to salon procedures.

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

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• interact with clients
• consult with clients during pre service analysis
• check client comfort during the haircut
• confirm client satisfaction with haircut results
• document pre-service analysis and client histories

• technical skills to:

• conduct pre service haircutting analysis
• design haircuts
• develop a cutting plan
• use and safely apply a wide range of haircutting and finishing tools and equipment
• apply a variety of haircutting techniques
• combine haircut structures
• apply finishing techniques to combined hair structures

• mathematical skills to interpret angles and lines in the haircut structure
• 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 the hair and the finished result
• degrees of lift and distribution to achieve solid, graduated and layered structures
• techniques for:

• creating texture
• solid finishes
• tapered finishes

• weight lines
• weight areas
• proportional relationships between structures

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:

• pre haircutting service analysis on a variety of clients
• planning and combining haircut structures for a variety of haircut looks
• safe application of a variety of haircutting tools and techniques
• achieving required haircut designs according to planned outcomes
• applying finishing techniques to enhance haircuts
• completing haircut services within designated workplace timeframes.

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 haircut clients
• 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:

• conducting pre-service analysis
• planning a number of haircuts involving a variety of structural combinations
• safely applying a number of haircuts involving a variety of haircutting techniques to combine haircut structures
• applying after-haircut finishing techniques

• 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
• salon procedures

• 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:

• SIHHCCS302A Perform a full client consultation
• SIHHHDS303A Design and apply short to medium length hair design finishes

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.

Client  may include:

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

Natural hair type  may include:

• European
• Asian
• Euro-Asian
• African.

Texture  may include:

• coarse
• medium
• fine.

Growth patterns  may include:

• crown area
• hairline
• neckline
• cowlicks (whorls).

Movement  may include:

• straight
• wavy
• natural curl
• chemical curl or waves.

Haircut design  must include combinations of two or more of the following:

• solid structures
• graduated structures
• layered structures
• over-comb techniques
• textured areas
• straight lines
• curved lines
• soft lines
• hard lines.

Haircutting tools  may include:

• scissors
• razors
• clippers
• combs
• texturising scissors.

Cutting techniques  may include:

• blunt cutting
• pointing
• notching
• slicing
• end tapering
• strand tapering
• razor rotation.

External design lines  and direction of design lines  may include:

• hard and soft interior or exterior lines
• straight, curved and diagonal lines.

Haircut structures  may include:

• solid form
• graduated
• layered
• tapered.

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.

Finishing tools  may include:

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

Finishing techniques  may include:

• blow drying with brushes
• lamp drying
• natural drying with finishing product
• setting and comb up
• thermal setting and straightening.

Home hair care products  may include:

• shampoos
• conditioners
• styling products
• blow-drying brushes.