22/03/11
Welsh hairdressers sharpen their scissor skills in television challenge
Bradley Robinson, from Blaenavon, Joshua Rees-Hole from Cowbridge and James Langan from Bangor have made it into the final stages of their respective competitions. They are now calling for others to enter pressure tests like WorldSkills and skillscompetition Wales, a series of more than 30 skill events held between now and the end of July, which are backed by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Social Fund.
Currently in the final four of ITV’s ‘Jamie’s Apprentice’ competition on the flagship ‘This Morning’ programme, Bradley, 16 is vying for the opportunity to work with the programmes resident hair dresser Jamie Stevens, one of the UK’s best-known celebrity hairstylists.
Beating hundreds of applicants to make it onto the live show and completing a series of complex live challenges, Bradley believes that the contest has made him a better hairdresser. He said: “I’m in it to win it, but even if I don’t win the final prize, I will have learned so much. Competitions are a great opportunity to test out your own skills and give you a real insight into what other people in the industry are doing.”
Currently enrolled in a modern apprenticeship funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government, Bradley is working toward an NVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing. No stranger to skill challenges, Bradley competed at Salon Cymru 2010 where he finished 7th out of 22 competitors.
He continued: “Just because you’re the best at your college or at your salon, doesn’t make you the best in the business and it’s good to enter these contests in order to learn more. You can never know it all, and you should never stop learning. Competitions are another way to test out your skills and to learn from others.”
Joshua, 22 and James, 23 have both made it into the top 10 of television channel E4’s Great British Hairdresser. Up against the UK’s top high street hairstylists, the pair will go head-to-head to be crowned the Great British Hairdresser by fashion hairstylist James Brown.
Named Young Welsh Apprentice of the Year in 2009, Josh is the youngest finalist in the competition and has four years experience in hairdressing. Josh's biggest ambition is to be a respected hairdresser in the industry. He would like to have his own salon and take part in photo shoots around the world.
Styling Director, James, has wanted to work with hair ever since he left school. He has been in hairdressing for six years, and his ambition is to own a salon in New York.
Congratulating them on their achievements Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, said she was delighted to hear of their success.
“It's great news to see talented young people from Wales doing so well. They are excellent role models and show how vocational skills are a great career option and I wish them all every success."
Those who enter a WorldSkills UK competition will prove themselves in dozens of different skill areas, from occupations such as hairdressing, catering, construction and auto mechanics through to web development, software applications and computer aided design.
There are still opportunities for ambitious hairdressers to enter the WorldSkills UK hairdressing competition due to be held at Bridgend College on 14 April. Individuals hoping to enter other this or other competitions can find out more at www.worldskillsuk.org/wales. The closing date for entries is 24 March.
You can watch Bradley every Tuesday on ITV This Morning, as he competes to win the opportunity to work with James Stevens or tune into Josh and James’ progress on E4’s Great British Hairdresser on Monday nights at 10pm.
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