Two West Suffolk College students are hoping to prove they are a cut above the rest when they take part in a national skills competition.
Rachel Jennings, 21, from Burwell and Molly Rayner, 19, from East Harling have so far competed in two rounds and seen off over 300 competitors during a competition called WorldSkills.
They are now down to the final eight of a hairdressing contest that will see them travel to Belfast next month.
Whilst in Northern Ireland, they will participate in three days of challenges (14-18 Nov) before an overall winner will be announced during Channel 4’s Packed Lunch programme by Steph McGovern on 25 November 2022.
WorldSkills is a series of student skills competitions that take place throughout the UK. If successful in the final stages of the competition, winners have the chance of being selected to become part of a Team UK squad where they get to represent their country internationally in a ‘Skills Olympics’ - the 2023 hairdressing event takes place in Lyon (France).
Hairdressing tutor Joanne Doward has been giving weekly support to the duo to get them match fit for the finals. Joanne said: “Molly and Rachel have been coming in to West Suffolk College once a week during their own time to prepare.
“Ultimately when they go to Belfast, I want them to fly home knowing they have produced the best they could. They are taking an interest in bettering themselves. They certainly have the talent and technique to do well. If they were to win it – I think it would be fantastic for them in terms of the future opportunities this would bring and it could put them on a global stage. Either way this experience will be on their CVs for life, just to be in the final’s is an amazing achievement and I’m incredibly proud of them. They are also inspiring our current students and this will leave a powerful ongoing legacy for others to aspire to at Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies department.”
On her thoughts ahead of competing at WorldSkills, Rachel - who studied on a level two apprenticeship and a level three course at the college and now works for Moss Hair and Beauty in Newmarket - said: “I will never get this opportunity again so I want to make the most of it. Thinking about winning this and then potentially representing my country is giving me heart palpitations.”
Molly studied on a level two and three course at West Suffolk College and is now a freelance hairdresser. Molly said: “I’m going for the experience and it will be interesting seeing other people’s work, meeting the judges and getting their feedback. It will be amazing if anything comes out of this, but right now, I can’t even think about winning.
“I’d also be happy for Jo our tutor as she has done so much for us,” she added.
(Both students completed their level three course last year bit continue to attend college to support their WorldSkills ambitions).
Earlier this year, Molly came first in another national competition organised by the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) and she also won a ‘masquerade ball’ themed contest run by Concept Hair magazine. Rachel came third in the AHT competition.
Before WorldSkills, The Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College is hosting an all-day showcase event where they will open some new facilities, welcome experts from big brands including L’Oréal and Wahl, they will also be overseeing a Concept Hair Magazine roadshow and they will officially become the first academy centre of excellence in the country thanks to a partnership with The Fellowship for British Hairdressing. These events take place on 7 November 2022.
Marnie Randall is the head of department at the Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College. Marnie said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for our department. Our aim is to become a national educational player and hosting events like this and seeing students compete on a WorldSkills stage shows our ambitions are coming to fruition.”