A team of staff and students from our Hairdressing, Beauty & Makeup Artistry sector had the honour of representing West College Scotland at the UK’s largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event, WorldSkills UK last month.
The prestigious event which was held on 15-17 November at the NEC Birmingham aims to inspire individuals to develop and showcase their skills to the highest level. Run in over 60 skill areas, the competitions enable employers to benchmark their apprenticeship and training programmes, raising standards across the UK.
Following on from highly competitive regional heats, 3 of our students were delighted to be placed among the top 8 regional competitor marks which won them an invite to compete at national level at the WorldSkills UK Competitions.
Kathryn Docherty, 33, from Paisley competed in the Beauty Therapy – Body category, Wioletta Slojewska-Puchalska, 43 from Glasgow competed in the Hairdressing catering and Jenna Mennan, 19 from Dumbarton competed in the Media Makeup: Body category.
Through local, national and international competition activity, WorldSkills UK plays a vital role in raising standards, confidence and expertise in further education, rewarding exceptional talent. Kathryn & Wioletta were delighted to be placed Silver in their categories.
It was Kathryn’s second successful year at the event having previously placed Gold in the Beauty Therapy – Hand & Face category. Kathryn said,
“Competing has made me more focused on achieving my goals, it has given me confidence in performing treatments to the highest standards. I now want to go on and inspire others to compete in WorldSkills competitions.”
Wioletta, who recently graduated from HNC Hairdressing at our Clydebank campus and has now set up her own hairdressing business, highlighted the benefits of the competition saying,
“It is a great confidence booster and it is really amazing to have recognition for my work. It was also an opportunity to see skill levels at a Regional and National level.” She continued,
“For me it was an honour to work with enthusiastic and motivated individuals and to be a part of a professional team. I hope that in taking part in that competition and achieving a Silver medal is a proof of my high skills level and I would love to share my knowledge with other students in the future.”
- Wioletta Slojewska-Puchalska - HNC Hairdressing Graduate
The competition has also given Jenna, who is currently studying HNC Fashion Makeup, the buzz to succeed in her trade saying,
“WorldSkills allowed me to develop my talents, and be around people who love what they do. It has motivated me to enter in more competitions whilst I can and continue with my studies.”
- Jenna Meenan, HNC Fashion Makeup student
Our team of lecturing staff who supported the students in their training for the competition and accompanied them to Birmingham included Wendy Sheridan-Price, Beauty Therapy Coach, Janise Maxwell, Hairdressing Coach and WorldSkills UK Scotland ambassadors Caroline Cullen, Beauty Therapy Coach and Janet Munn, Make up Coach.
Caroline Cullen, Beauty Therapy Curriculum Enhancement Lecturer said of the competition, "The WorldSkills UK Competitions are a fantastic opportunity to fully engage, challenge and motivate learners so that they get the most out of their learning experience. Skills competitions can develop professional and technical skills to high levels of excellence and enhance capacity in attributes valued by employers such as team work, problem solving, time management, judgment and working under pressure.” She continued,
“We are tremendously proud of our competitors and are delighted to bring home two silver medals , all their hard work has paid off and staff and students took a lot from the experience of WorldSkills UK 2018”
- Caroline Cullen, Beauty Therapy Curriculum Enhancement Lecturer
WorldSkills 2018
Congratulations to all of our competitors at this years WorldSkills UK Regional and National heats. Overall, West College Scotland students achieved the following results:
Regional Heats
Beauty Body: 2nd Place -Kathryn Docherty, Paisley campus
Beauty Hands and Face: 3rd Place -Gemma Flemming, Greenock campus
Beauty Body: 3rd Place - Charlotte Bevis, Greenock campus
Nail Services: 4th place Marisa Esperon, Greenock campus
Hairdressing: 2nd place – Wioletta Slojewska-Puchalska, Clydebank Campus
Media Body Painting: 3rd place – Jenna Meenan, Clydebank Campus
National Heats
Beauty Body: Silver Medal -Kathryn Docherty, Paisley campus
Hairdressing: Silver Medal – Wioletta Slojewska-Puchalska, Clydebank Campus