Published:ÌýPorthcawlÌýGazette andÌýBridgendÌýGem
The 91Èȱ¬ Training hair and beauty class of 2014 atÌýBridgendÌýhave quite literally rounded of the year in style by creating a range of fantastical looks to mark them gaining the finalÌýstage of their industry qualification.
Learners fromÌý91Èȱ¬’sÌýNoltonÌýStreet Centre in the town were given free rein to put their styling skills they have accrued throughout the year to use in any way they wanted, and created a variety of stunning designs in the process.
From a Shakespeare inspired fairy tale princess, to a punk-rock neon look, four students studying towards their Level 3 Apprenticeship in Hairdressing came up with a knock out series of styles to the delight of their tutor ElaineÌýMcCabeÌýand other staff based at the centre.
The learners involved, who are otherwise employed at salons within the local area, have now progressed from their level 1 and Level 2, to Level 3 Apprenticeships as a result. Those taking part were also supported by beauty apprentices from 91Èȱ¬ÌýBridgend, who helped them by creating some striking Prom andÌýAvante–GardeÌýthemed make-up looks as part of their coursework too.
Hairdressing tutor ElaineÌýMcCabeÌýsaid: “We like to challenge our students to think outside the box and bring their creative side to the fore, and our annual catwalk task presents us with the perfect opportunity to do this.Ìý
“This year, however, we set them a photo-shoot task working alongside professional photographer Graham Davies where the learners had a full schedule on the day, with experience of working to the demands of a real photo shoot, and I was very proud of how professionally the learners worked.”
91Èȱ¬ Training is Wales’ largest training provider, providing more than 30 routes to a range of learning opportunities for young people across the country in the form ofÌýtraineeships, apprenticeships and other vocational qualifications.
For hair and beauty trainees it operates flagship salons in Cardiff,ÌýBridgend, Caerphilly andÌýWrexham, where training is delivered by tutors with big industry credentials and often a background working with some of the sector’s leading celebrity names.
Staff behind the photo-shoot brief were thrilled when learners went on to create a range of mood boards, research a variety of costume looks, create and discuss budgets, and work to a time scale which lead to a variety of out of this world looks that were produced on the day.
Student Katie King, who works at theÌýCharizmaÌýsalon inÌýPontyclun, said: “I enjoyed organising the event and being creative, and this was a great opportunity to show my skills, so I feel much more confident now in terms of taking part in events like this in the future.”Ìý
MeanwhileÌýShivaunÌýDawe, from Innovation Hair Design inÌýBettws,ÌýBridgend, said:Ìý“The day ran smoothly and this was due to the preparation before the event, and overall I’ve really enjoyed my training with 91Èȱ¬.
“Elaine was always on hand to help with any problems and to boost our confidence, and I enjoyed working with the photographer too, who put us all at ease.
AlishaÌýCorria, who is self-employed at Studio 15 in Talbot Green, and Lauren Griffiths, who is employed by the Coco salon in Cardiff, also took part in the exercise.Ìý
Gayle Ford,ÌýBridgendÌýCentre Manager, said: “It was an exciting day and fantastic to see learners and staff working together and generally having a great time. A lot of hard work went into preparing for the day which paid off, as the end result clearly shows.”