Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to combine haircut structures in the performance of creative haircuts on a range of clients.

Application of the Unit 

This unit involves research, analysis, planning and then selecting and applying tools and equipment, to design and apply creative haircut structures and after-haircut finishing techniques on a range of clients. The demonstrated ability to research and develop knowledge of local and international current and coming hair fashion trends is 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

Research and analyse haircut trends.

1.1

A portfolio of creative haircut designs  is developed using a range of available sources .

1.2

Haircut designs are analysed and haircut structures are identified in a haircut plan  and recorded in the portfolio.

2

Analyse client characteristics and requirements.

2.1

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

2.2

Facial features and bone structure are observed by visual examination.

2.3

Based on analysis, portfolio haircut structures are adapted and agreed with clients .

3

Apply cutting techniques.

3.1

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

3.2

Exterior design lines , direction of design lines and /or interior design /guide lines  are established according to the haircut plan.

3.3

Structures are combined or blended, where appropriate to the planned finished design.

3.4

Cutting techniques are applied to enhance the design where relevant.

3.5

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

4

Select and apply finishing techniques.

4.1

Client is prepared for finishing techniques according to workplace procedures.

4.2

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

4.3

After care haircut management advice is provided and home care products are suggested according to client needs.

4.4

Client satisfaction is confirmed against predetermined haircut result.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Skills may include :

• research skills

• design analysis

• client consultation that takes into account the culture, background and physical abilities of the client while demonstrating knowledge of the following communication techniques:

• using open and closed questions
• speaking clearly and concisely
• using appropriate language
• non-verbal communication

• haircut planning 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 safely applying 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 components of haircut design:

• shape
• structure
• proportion
• texture
• form

• 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

• the provisions of relevant health and hygiene legislation and regulations

• the provisions of relevant skin penetration legislation and regulations

• the provisions of relevant occupational health and safety legislation and regulations.

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 analyses client requirements, and selects and applies tools and equipment to design and apply creative haircut structures and finishing techniques on a range of clients. Demonstrated ability to research and develop knowledge of local and international current and coming hair fashion trends is also required.

Specific evidence requirements 

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

• the development of a comprehensive portfolio of creative haircuts

• demonstrated design analysis for a range of looks

• demonstrated ability to plan for 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

• 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:

• relevant documentation such as occupational health and safety legislation and regulations, and workplace policy and procedures manuals
• a salon or simulated salon environment
• available sources of information on creative haircuts
• 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 :

• WRHHC306B Combine haircut structures on women

or 

• WRHHC307B Combine haircut structures for traditional and classic designs on men.

Co-requisite units :

• none.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested.

• The development of a portfolio of at least six creative haircuts, including design analyses.
• 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 creative 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.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.

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.

A portfolio of creative haircut designs  may include:

• magazine shots
• photographs
• sketches
• material sourced on the Internet.

A range of available sources  may include:

• fashion magazines
• hair magazines
• product manufacturer's materials
• the Internet
• hair fashion videos
• hair shows and competitions
• product manufacturer's promotions
• platform artist's demonstrations
• fashion parades
• pop culture, such as video clips.

Haircut plans  may include:

• outline shapes
• lines and angles
• structural graphic for the haircut plan.

Natural hair type  may include:

• European
• Asian
• Afro.

Texture  may include:

• coarse
• medium
• fine.

Growth patterns  may include:

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

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.

Haircutting tools  may include:

• scissors
• razors
• clippers
• combs.

Techniques  may include:

• scissor over-comb tapering
• clippers over-comb tapering
• serrated scissors over-comb thinning
• layering
• clubbing
• graduation
• texturising
• cutting straight and/or curved lines
• cutting square shapes
• cutting soft and/or hard lines.

Exterior design lines , direction of design lines and /or interior design /guide lines  may include:

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

Relevant legislation  may include:

• federal, state and local health and hygiene
• occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• workplace health and safety.

Finishing tools  may include:

• fingers
• lamps
• blow dryer
• a wide variety of brushes
• straightening irons
• thermal irons.

Competency Field 

Hairdressing