Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Stitching, knotting and fibre type may include:
machine stitching
hand knotting
human hair:
European
Asian
Euro-Asian
synthetic fibre
animal hair.


Wigs and hairpieces may include:
full head wigs
toupees
artificial beards and moustaches
frangia: long or short
switch: one, two or three stem
button
postiche: square, round, heart or fantasy shape
wiglet: variety of base shapes
hair: long, short, straight, wavy or curly
natural or artificial colours.


Clients may include:
men
women
children
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.


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


Relevant tools and techniques may include:
tools:
combs
wire brushes
styling brushes
clips
rollers
blow dryers
tongs
techniques:
blow drying
blow waving
moulding
water waving
roller placement
pin curling
lamp drying
using 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.

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 must be able to consult with clients, recommend fibres and produce made-to-measure full head wigs and hairpieces to meet client requirements for a range of applications.
Knowledge and skill in the application of relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures must also be demonstrated.

Specific evidence requirements
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
knowledge and consistent application of relevant workplace policies and procedures
knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations

knowledge and consistent application of safe work practices and the safe use of wig servicing, hair cutting and styling equipment, including the use of protective measures, according to occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and requirements

ability to consistently use effective questioning and active listening techniques to sympathetically consult and negotiate with clients, identify client requirements, maintain confidentiality and 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 complete finished designs on wigs and hairpieces within designated workplace timeframes

ability to evaluate completed wig and hairpiece designs and confirm client satisfaction with the finished result.
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 wig maker 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 range of wigs and hairpieces
haircutting and hair design products, tools and equipment
clients requiring a range of wig or hairpiece applications.


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.
Prerequisite units:
WRHHC306B Combine haircut structures on women
or
WRHHC307B Combine haircut structures for traditional and classic designs on men
and
WRHHD303A Design and apply short to medium-length hair design finishes
WRHHD304A Design and apply long hair design finishes.

Co-requisite units:
none.


Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are 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:
consulting with clients
cleaning wigs and hairpieces
cutting switches and postiche to blend with natural hair
cutting wigs and hairpieces
styling and finishing wigs and hairpieces
applying relevant health regulations
applying relevant workplace procedures that ensure client and operator comfort and safety.
Written or oral questions.
Third-party reports from experienced hairdressers and/or wig makers.
Completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from the trainer, coach or supervisor.


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.