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.
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 materials
the internet
hair fashion videos
hair shows and competitions
product manufacturer promotions
platform artist’s demonstrations
fashion parades
pop culture, such as video clips.
Haircut plan may include:
outline shapes
lines and angles
structural graphic for the haircut plan.
Natural hair type may include:
European
Asian
African.
Texture may include:
coarse
medium
fine.
Growth patterns may include:
crown area
hairline
neckline
cowlicks (whorls).
Client 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 lines
cutting curved lines
cutting square shapes
cutting soft lines
cutting hard lines.
Exterior design lines, direction of design lines and interior design or guide lines may include:
hard and soft interior or exterior lines
straight, curved and diagonal lines.
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 products and tools may include:
styling products, such as:
mousse
lotion
gel
wax
clay
spray
fingers
blow dryer
a wide variety of brushes
straightening irons
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

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:
developing a comprehensive portfolio of creative haircuts
performing design analysis for a range of looks
planning for and combining haircut structures for a variety of creative haircuts
safe application of a variety of haircutting tools and techniques
achieving planned haircut designs
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
a clean client gown or wrap
haircutting tools and equipment
a range of clients for creative haircuts
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:
development of a portfolio of at least six creative haircuts, including design analyses and haircut plans
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 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 finishing products and 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.
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:
SIHHTLS403A Work as a session stylist