Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to combine haircut structures for finished haircut designs on women.

Application of the Unit 

This unit involves communication, analysis, planning and then selecting and applying tools and equipment, to create current commercial haircut structures and after-haircut finishing techniques on women. Demonstrated knowledge of the safe application of haircutting tools and finishing equipment, along with the application of relevant legislation and workplace practices particularly in regard to workplace safety and hygiene, are required.

In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway, units of competency that relate to this unit are identified in the evidence guide of this unit.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the element. The variables for the bold italicised  text are outlined in the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Analyse client characteristics and requirements.

1.1

Natural hair type , texture , growth patterns , fall and movement  are established by physical and visual examination.

1.2

Facial features and bone structure are observed by visual examination.

1.3

Based on analysis, finished haircut designs  are suggested and agreed with clients .

2

Apply cutting techniques.

2.1

Haircutting tools  and cutting techniques are selected to achieve planned haircut results.

2.2

External design lines and direction of design lines  and/or internal design/guide lines are established according to the haircut plan.

2.3

Position of head and neck is adjusted during service for desired access and angles of lift.

2.4

Hair is evenly wet or dry and even tension is applied.

2.5

Clean sections with no tangle and appropriate lift and distribution of hair are maintained throughout the service and according to the haircut plan.

2.6

Haircut structures are combined or blended where appropriate with the planned finished design.

2.7

Appropriate cutting techniques are applied to enhance the design.

2.8

Client comfort, safety and hygiene are maintained throughout the haircut according to relevant legislation  and workplace policies and procedures .

3

Select and apply finishing techniques.

3.1

Client is prepared for finishing technique according to workplace procedures.

3.2

Appropriate finishing tools  are selected and applied to achieve planned haircut finish.

3.3

Client satisfaction is confirmed in accordance with her expressed haircut requirements.

3.4

After care product and haircut management advice is provided according to client needs.

3.5

Client records are updated with details of service and after care products purchased.

3.6

Waste is disposed of according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

3.7

Equipment is cleaned or disposed of according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level , required for this unit .

Skills may include :

• conducting pre-haircutting service design analysis

• communication skills, that take into account the culture, background and abilities of clients, while demonstrating a knowledge of communication techniques, including:

• listening and questioning techniques
• verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• negotiation techniques

• haircut design skills

• cutting hair for one length/solid effects

• applying a variety of graduation techniques

• applying a variety of layering techniques

• tapering hair

• texturising hair

• using and applying safely a wide range of haircutting tools

• combining haircut structures

• manipulating finishing tools and equipment

• language, literacy and numeracy skills relevant to the role and workplace requirements.

Knowledge may include :

• the natural distribution and growth patterns of hair

• the relationship between the quality of the hair and the finished result

• degrees of lift and distribution to achieve solid, graduated and layered structures

• techniques that create texture

• techniques for solid finishes

• techniques for tapered finishes

• weight lines

• weight areas

• proportional relationships between structures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency will be able to analyse, plan and then select and apply tools and equipment to create current commercial haircut structures and after-haircut finishing techniques on women. They will demonstrate knowledge of the safe application of haircutting tools and finishing equipment, along with the application of relevant legislation and workplace practices particularly in regard to workplace safety and hygiene.

Specific evidence requirements 

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

• pre-haircutting service analysis on a variety of clients

• demonstrated ability to plan and combine haircut structures for a variety of haircut looks

• safe application of a variety of haircutting tools and techniques

• demonstrated ability to consistently apply finishing techniques to enhance haircuts

• the ability to complete haircut services within designated workplace timeframes.

Context of assessment 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.

Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Specific resources for assessment 

Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:

• a salon or simulated salon environment
• haircutting tools and equipment
• clients with a variety of haircut requirements
• finishing tools and equipment.

Relationship to other units 

This unit requires an assessment outcome that includes evidence of the ability to design and combine haircut structures and apply a wide variety of haircutting techniques to achieve different haircut designs.

Prerequisite unit :

• WRHCS201A Prepare clients for salon services.

Co-requisite units :

• WRHHC301A Design haircut structures
• WRHHC302A Apply one length/solid haircut structures
• WRHHC303A Apply graduated haircut structures
• WRHHC304A Apply layered haircut structures
• WRHHC305A Apply over-comb techniques
• WRHWP302A Operate effectively as a hairdresser in a salon work team.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment method is suggested.

• Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may 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.

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both.

Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

The following variables 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. Bold italicised  text from the performance criteria is detailed here.

Natural hair type  may include:

• European
• Asian
• Afro.

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.

Finished haircut designs  must include combinations of two or more of the following:

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

Clients  may include:

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

Haircutting tools  may include:

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

External design lines and direction of design lines  may include:

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

Relevant legislation  may include:

• local health
• skin penetration.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• workplace health and safety.

Finishing tools  may include:

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

Competency Field 

Hairdressing