NCG is proud to be hosting regional hairdressing heats for WorldSkills UK for the first time, with two of its colleges chosen as venues for the competition’s National Qualifiers.
This week, Newcastle College hosted the first of four regional heats of the WorldSkills UK hairdressing competition,, the first time the competition has been hosted by a college in the North East.
Students from Newcastle College and West Lancashire College joined competitors from Grimsby Institute, Scarborough College and Hull College to battle for a place in the WorldSkills UK hairdressing final in Belfast in November.
Later in June, Kidderminster College will host another regional hairdressing heat, with more NCG students competing for their place.
Newcastle College student Sophie Roxburgh and Grimsby Institute student Faye Trickett came joint first in the North East heat, but will need to wait until all qualifiers have taken place to find out if the points they received will be enough to make them one of the top eight scoring competitors and earn them a place in the national final.
Newcastle College student Sophie, 24, said: “I was really anxious about competing, I almost dropped out because I wasn’t confident with cut and colour, but my tutor was really supportive,
and I’m proud of myself now for coming and making it through. I feel more confident in myself and I’m excited about the possibility of competing in the final in Belfast.”
Grimsby Institute student Faye, aged 36 added: “I was excited to come to Newcastle and compete! It was a really good experience; everything was planned really well. I’m shocked that I won and I’m excited but nervous at the prospect of the final. I’ve never made it this far through.”
Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) Coach Lindsay Gaskill (pictured above, far left) has spent the last few months organising the event, and commented: “This competition is an incredible opportunity for our learners to compete against their peers and be judged by industry experts. We’ve got world-class facilities here; it makes sense to me that we would make the most of them in this way.”
Sarah Fillaudeau, Hair and Beauty Technical Advisor at City & Guilds said: “I’m here today to show support from City & Guilds because it's something I really believe in. This competition is an amazing opportunity for learners to showcase their talent, their creativity, their flair. The level of work I’ve seen today is excellent. I’ve seen some stunning styles. The students are being very creative.”
Kidderminster College will be hosting the next heat on Tuesday 14 June.