Global Ambitions For Students Making The World A More Glamorous Place
12 February 2008
Student stylist Natalie Shaw, aged 18, hard at work on model Michaela Needham, aged 17, at the Devonshire Spa Hair & Beauty Show at the University of Derby Buxton.
Events such as the one at the University of Derby, Buxton are about increasing the aspirations of young people, encouraging participation in vocational skills and raising the bar for achievement.
”Di McEvoy-Robinson representative of the LSC project, ‘Competence To Excellence’.
Styling tongs and cosmetics were the weapons of choice as 101 hair and beauty students competed to get on the path to national glory - and possibly even the world stage.
Glamour was at a premium at the University of Derby’s Devonshire Campus in Buxton, yesterday (February 11), as students aged from 14 to 40 put their skills to the test to create original hairstyles and make-up combinations suitable for teenagers, businesswomen and others.
The winners of the Devonshire Spa Hair and Beauty Show in the Dome - as judged by county professional salon owners - are now in the running to take part in a national competition.
They will be mentored by Buxton staff, to take part in the national Blackpool Hairdressing Championships at the Winter Gardens in March. This event will attract hundreds of competitors.
Karen Wardley - Hair, Beauty and Spa Therapies Subject Leader at the University of Derby Buxton - said the standard of yesterday’s competition at the campus had been very high, with both full time and work based part time students rising to the challenge.
She added: “It is important that we invest in our young people’s training in vocational skills for the hair and beauty, catering and spa industries.
“I am fully confident that, with the right support and development, our young people can compete on a level with those from anywhere else around the world.”
With that in mind, University staff are hoping to stage a regional hair and beauty contest at the campus in April. They are working on this project with national vocational skills body the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which also supported yesterday’s Buxton event.
Di McEvoy-Robinson represents the LSC project ‘Competence To Excellence’. The initiative aims to develop the vocational skills of UK young people in their chosen field, so they can compete in industry competitions such as the World Skills Challenges, against employees from other countries.
“Events such as the one at the University of Derby Buxton are about increasing the aspirations of young people, encouraging participation in vocational skills and raising the bar for achievement.
“The Government’s agenda to increase the number of apprenticeship learners may eventually see them entering national and world class competitions, and ultimately winning gold medals for the UK,” added Di.
The judges panel at yesterday’s Devonshire Spa Hair and Beauty Show included Di McEvoy-Robinson, Mae Teo, Anna Haywood, Lucy Charlton, Adam Jackson, Darren Hayes, Jemma Parker, Rachel McGowan, Gio Belli and Anne Roberts.
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For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Simon Butt on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
Press release by Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 593004 or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
