Hairdressers from all over Shropshire competed to gain the winning title at the County Training 'Shine' Hairdressing Competition on Monday 9 May.

25 talented Level 2 and 3 Hairdressing and Barbering Apprentices took part in this popular annual event, at Meole Brace School, Shrewsbury.

The evening, organised by Shropshire Council's County Training saw hairdressers employed by salons in the Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Telford and Whitchurch areas present their skills and hard work through four categories; the Circus, Fairytales, Happily Ever After and Haute Couture. 

Salon Owners, friends and family filled the school hall, to watch an array of backcombing, curling, cutting, twisting, pinning and straightening, where inspirations had been taken from Alice In Wonderland, Tim Burton, the Catwalk and even Disney films!

Gill Smith, Hair and Beauty Manager for County Training comments, "The standard at this years event has been astounding. Our Apprentices have put so much time and effort into their preparations - it really demonstrates their creativity and valuable skills they have learnt through their training to date."

Winners of the night were Fran Hansen,19, Level 2 Apprentice at Zest, Shrewsbury with a pierrot clown, Victoria Smith, 21, Level 3 Apprentice with Sophisticutz, Shrewsbury with her bridal interpretation and Shelbie Allport, 18, Level 3 Apprentice at Jane Eyre with an Alice in Wonderland creation.  

The nights overall winner was Micheala Evans, who competed in the Haute Couture category. Micheala, 19, is a Level 2 Apprentice who works for Beachwood in Shrewsbury. County Training have been working with Beachwood for the past 10 years and during this time have provided them with a total of 23 Apprentices. Paul Evans, owner of Beachwood, currently employs 3 Apprentices who all entered this years competition, "this is a fantastic opportunity for our Apprentices to showcase their capabilities as young professional hairdressers. Michaela's win in the competition is a fantastic accolade to Beachwood and the skills our stylists posess."

County Training holds the 'Shine' hairdressing competition every year to celebrate the talent and achievement of young hairdressers in Shropshire, working towards Hairdressing and Barbering Apprenticeship Programmes.

Kevin Humphreys, Business Development and Performance Manager for County Training says; "Such events demonstrate the importance of work-based training programmes and how effective they are, in developing a persons skills in their chosen career. The competition also showcases the potential Apprentices have, to develop their skills to a high standard, quickly and effectively - a valuable asset to employers ."

To find out more about Apprenticeship programmes available with County Training contact us. Apprenticeships available include; Business and Administration, Childcare, Customer Service, Distribution, Warehousing and Storage, Hairdressing and Barbering, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering and Information Technology. 

If you are a salon looking to recruit, County Training have access to school leavers who already possess a hairdressing qualification and are looking to continue their development, please contact  01743 255191.