Bury College Hairdressing apprentices are celebrating exceptional competition success after scooping first place and runner-up positions in a national competition.

Four highly-skilled Level 2 Hair Professional apprentices competed in the Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year 2020 competition which is a brand new nationwide contest for trainee hairdressers. The competition, which was organised by Concept Hair Magazine, was an opportunity to celebrate the UK’s best hairdressing students and achieve national recognition.

Delighted to be crowned overall winner in the Level 2 Hair-up category was talented Leah Gibbons. The former Crompton House C of E School pupil impressed judges with her creativity and flare by creating a prom hair look. Leah said, “I was so proud to have won, the event was great and I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship since starting in September. I have gained a lot of skills taking part in the competition including how to cope with working under pressure and my confidence has really improved.”

Equally as happy with her competition performance was Chloe Brown who secured the runner-up position in the same category. The former Whitworth Community High School pupil added, “I was so happy when it was announced that I was the runner-up! I am really enjoying my Bury College apprenticeship, the tutors are great.”

Talented apprentices Billy Kendall and Molly Illingworth also competed to a very high standard and they both enjoyed their unique opportunity to secure competition experience at a national level. 

Melissa Unwin, Bury College Learning and Skills Coach, said, “The talent and professionalism all our apprentices showed during the competition was a pleasure to see and their talents really shone through. They really did themselves and Bury College proud.”

The national competition will see up to 840 learners compete over six regional heats throughout England and Wales. The winners of each category will qualify for the Grand Final at the L’OreĢal Professionnel Academy in London in March, where they will compete to be named the first ever Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year. Leah will be alongside the rest of the finalists and will look forward to further developing her skill-set.