Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

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