Six hairdressing students from North West Regional College (NWRC) have made the top ten in the World Skills UK Hairdressing 2020 Photographic Competition.

The students, who all train at NWRC’s campuses in Strand Road, Strabane and Limavady, showed off their world-class skills in the competition, which featured competitors from across the UK.

Strabane graduate Karolina Jedrusik finished in second place, with top ten placings for Limavady students Caitlín McVey, Ainé Brolly, and Brooklyn Scargill, graduate Cara Doran, and Strand Road graduate Niamh Ryan.

Due to Covid-19 regulations, the Worldskills competition was run virtually this year, however students still worked hard to showcase the skills they have acquired on their Level 3 courses at NWRC, and lecturers are delighted to have six placed in the top ten.

Samantha Traynor, Department Head of Training and Skills at NWRC congratulated the students on their success.

She said: “Once again our staff and students have showcased the top quality education and training that is provided by our Hairdressing and Beauty Departments across our three campuses.

“For many years NWRC has achieved outstanding success at Worldskills in a number of disciplines, with several students making it to the World finals which are hosted biennally in countries across the world.

“This competition was an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in a competition at this level.

“All of the students have worked exceptionally hard to get to this point which is designed to reflect the role of hairdresser and the standards that are expected within the Hairdressing industry.

“I’d like to thank the students for the hard work they put in to the competition, and to the staff who helped them prepare.”

Hairdressing graduate Niamh Ryan said: “I’ve completed my Level 2 & 3 in Hairdressing at Strand Road Campus and I now work at Studio 1 by Michelle Donaghy in Buncrana. My course at NWRC and competing really helped me gain my confidence with colour and cutting and I learned a lot during the training. I would really recommend it to any students who get the opportunity to take part “

For more information on Hairdressing and Beauty courses at NWRC go to www.nwrc.ac.uk/apply