Elements and Performance Criteria

Natural hair type may include:
European
Afro
Asian.

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.

Facial features and bone structure may include:
square
round
oval
combination of shapes
unusual facial shapes.

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.

Elements and principles of design may include:

elements:

line: straight or curved

shape

direction

size

texture

colour

principles:

balance

gradation

repetition

contrast

harmony

dominance

unity.

Styling products may include:
setting lotions
gels
glazes
mousses
waxes
sprays.

Relevant tools and techniques may include:

tools:

combs

brushes

clips

rollers

blow dryers

heat diffusers

drying lamps

techniques:

blow drying

blow waving

moulding

water waving

roller placement

pin curling

lamp drying

use of heat diffusers.

Relevant legislation may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene
occupational health and safety.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
health and hygiene.

Finishing tools and techniques may include:

tools:

combs

brushes

blow dryer

tongs

straightening irons

techniques:

brushing

dry moulding

placing

backcombing

smoothing.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
ability to consistently use effective questioning and active listening techniques to confirm service/s with senior operators
ability to consistently use effective questioning and active listening techniques to negotiate appropriately with clients, to take into account any cultural or physical requirements, and to ensure client comfort and safety throughout the service
ability to analyse and identify the elements of hair designs, and alternative techniques that may be applied to achieve those designs
ability to apply a range of classic and current hair designs on short to medium-length hair
knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations applicable to the workplace
knowledge and consistent application of occupational health and safety regulations and workplace procedures relevant to hair design services
ability to complete short to medium finished designs 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 working hairdressing salon or simulated salon
clients with short to medium-length hair and a range of hair design requirements
a range of workplace styling products
relevant health regulations and workplace procedures.

Relationship to other units
In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway, all units that relate to a job function can be integrated for assessment purposes.
WRHCS201A Prepare clients for salon services .
none.

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:
collecting pictures and analysing the elements of a variety of hair designs
organising the work area, tools and equipment
analysing characteristics and consulting with clients to negotiate a planned design outcome
applying styling products, tools and equipment to achieve a range of designs on short to medium-length hair
implementing relevant health and hygiene, and occupational health and safety regulations and workplace procedures relevant to hair design services.

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.

Communicating ideas and information
Suggesting possible finished designs to clients involves the communication of ideas and information. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Researching current hair designs and identifying the elements of those designs require information to be collected, analysed and organised. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Analysing client characteristics and the elements of a planned design; selecting and applying styling products, tools and techniques; then finishing off the design to the client's satisfaction require activities to be planned and organised. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Consulting other operators regarding workplace procedures or relevant health regulations may involve teamwork. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring appropriate quantities of styling products involves the application of mathematical techniques. (1)

Solving problems
Planning and applying a design to compensate for a particular facial shape or characteristics involves problem solving skills. (2)

Using technology
Using blow dryers, heat diffusers and drying lamps during the design process involves the use of technology. (1)