Hairdressing students win in the big skill awards
Hairdressing students proved they have skills to match those from any industry in the recent Big Skill Awards, held across three UK southern counties - Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.
Two winners in the Hertfordshire heat of the awards, run by the Learning and Skills Council in partnership with BBC Radio Three Counties, were trainee hairdressers, seeing off competition from a range of industries, including IT and construction.
West Hertfordshire College student, Anthony Hull was the biggest winner of the night, taking the trophy not only for his category - 14-16 Learner Award - but also the overall Award for Excellence.
Taking top honours in the 17-19 Learner category was Zoe Murphy, a student at Hertford Regional College and a trainee at the Ben Venuti salon in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
Judges said Anthony, who overcame a traumatic home life before starting his NVQ Level 1 course, had "completely changed his life around."
NVQ Level 2 graduate Zoe said her win was down to hard work and that she loved everything about her job and intended to make a career of hairdressing.
