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Six hairdressing students from Southern Regional College's Newry campus have qualified for the regional stage of WorldSkills UK, a record for the campus, being the first time six students from the one campus have progressed to the regional competition in the same year.
The six were shortlisted after successfully completing an initial entry stage assessment, which required entrants to create a fashionable festival-inspired look for long hair. They will now travel to North West Regional College in Derry on 28 May, where they will compete against around 15 of the norths top emerging hairdressing students for a place in the UK national finals.
The Newry campus students competing are Aoife Hanna (19) from Kilkeel, currently working at Shade Hairdressing in Kilkeel; Kayla Larkin (19) from Mullaghbawn, currently working at Thee One Hair Salon in Warrenpoint; Ella McMahon (20) from Bessbrook, currently working at Hair by Tracy Smyth in Whitecross; Niamh Boyle (18) from Warrenpoint, currently working at Michelle Mallon Hair and Beauty in Meigh; Aoife O'Malley (20) from Newtownhamilton, currently working at Studio Quinn Hair on the Old Dublin Road in Newry; and Matthew McMullan (18) from Dromintee, currently working at Haus of Hair in Camlough.
At the regional qualifier, each competitor will complete two live assessments. The first is a ladies' long hair bridal styling challenge, to be completed within one hour and 30 minutes. The second is a cut, colour and styling test lasting three hours. Scores from all stages of the competition will be combined to determine who progresses to the national finals.
Regional winners will be announced on the day, though those who advance to the national finals will not be confirmed until mid-July, after all regional qualifiers have concluded.
SRC lecturer Caroline O'Neill said: "Reaching this stage of the competition is a huge achievement for all students and a real reflection of the time, effort and creativity they put into their work every day. Competitions like WorldSkills UK push students outside their comfort zones and provide them with valuable experience in a professional, high-pressure environment. We're incredibly proud of how far they've come already and excited to see their progress as they represent SRC, their employers and themselves at this upcoming regional competition."
