West Suffolk College recently hosted the first ever East Anglian heats of the national Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) competition, which attracted colleges from across the region to compete for a spot in the national finals, taking place in Blackpool.
Students from West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College, Suffolk One College, Wisbech College, King’s Lynn College, Peterborough College, Stamford College, and Clique Academy, competed in a series of categories, ranging from ‘A Day at the Races’ to ‘Bridal Makeup’.
20 students from West Suffolk College successfully qualified after placing within the top three in their categories. They will represent their college in the national finals in May.
Among these qualifiers was 18-year-old Simona Ciechanow, who studies Level 2 Beauty Therapy at West Suffolk College. Simona created a look in the Bridal Makeup category – marking her first time competing. She said, “I was so nervous going into it, but it’s not as scary as it seems. Obviously, it’s nerve-wracking, but it’s good to have that experience sometimes and to work under pressure.”
18-year-old Harriet from Thetford also successfully qualified for her Fashion Magazine Front Cover Make-up look and is excited to take her work back to the national stage after winning in her category last year. She said, “It’s great to have these opportunities. It doesn’t matter if you don’t win, it’s all about the experience.” Harriet has studied both hairdressing and makeup artistry at West Suffolk College and is heading to the London College of Fashion after completing her studies.
Marnie Williams, Head of Hair and Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College, said: “It’s important to ensure students understand what it feels like to work under pressure, as that’s what’s going to happen when they go out and work in the industry. These competitions give students a taste of what pressure might feel like.”
“It also allows us as educators to see what the standards are across the region, and also what we can all learn from one another. Every one of the college groups are going to raise their standards, and that can only be good for the hair and beauty industries going forward.”
